Time to leave Cortez, CO, and travel to Sedona,AZ

I leave in the early AM for Sedona and the Red Rocks Canyon area of North Eastern AZ. I still have some more postings from this high desert area of CO, but there is a storm outside and I'm getting tired too, sooo---this will be continued later.

Lots more pics already taken and many more opportunities to shoot more, so this travel blog will go on and on and on---

Sooo---no train this time, just that same "High Line", out of Rockford, that is the most photographed portion of the line, but this is not your usual shot, cause ---no train! Fantastic rock gorges tho, created so this small, narrow gauge railway could haul ore and make money for its owner. But it was carved out of this rock in only 11 months. Yes, thru winter snows and cold, these miners built this RR in 1882. Today we enjoy a much safer ride than the original designed railcars and on much heavier track too--even tho it's still narrow gauge.  

Got better and better, at shooting/catching the engine, but decided you would be getting pretty tired of seeing this same train! So another collage! 

How's this for a 'postcard shot'---maybe I have a second career in the making--being paid to travel and 'shoot' spectacular sights??? You think??? 

The wooden 55 ft long Elk Park Bridge (I missed on the way into Silverton since I was on the other side for this one too) that has withstood many a snow melt and flooding. This was built in the fall of 1964 to replace the original one, still standing(not visible) just to the west of this newer one. 

Better engine shots going back--either the angle was better or I got a lot faster but either way, some great shots--closer to postcard!! 

On our return to Durango (I'm on the other visual side of the train,same seat different side), this is the other waterfall--still have no idea which is which-both are pretty spectacular. 

More of the larger 'Hotel" size buildings--upper left and lower right, The Grand Imperial Hotel, built in 1883. And one of the most famous 'madam's' places, Natalia's 1912 Restaurant now, sports a lot of vividly painted exterior gingerbread too. The upper right brick building represents the rebuilding of Silverton after many wooden structures were destroyed by fire. The few wooden buildings that remain escaped fire or have been restored/rebuilt by the town, in more recent years, to rebuild their past. 

The Victorian gingerbread and colorful paint cover the checkered past of many of the original functions of these buildings--many were occupied by the 'soiled doves' of the town. But these same ladies were often the only ones who treated the miners and trainmen when they got injured or sick! 

A Silverton Landmark whose spire and clock are visible from quite a distance across the valley. This is one building I remember from every time I've visited the unique mining town over the years. 

Entering Silverton--at this point the river drainage encompasses about 4,000,000 acres of the Upper San Juans. This broad rocky valley is known as Baker's Park. 

We're crossing the Silverton Bridge, also known to trainmen as the Timber Bridge, marking the last time we cross the Animas River before entering Silverton. Although it has been structually maintained, the bridge is relatively unchanged since its installation in 1882. 

This is either Kendall Falls or Angle Veil Falls( it wasn't clear which was which from the guide book--one is on one side of the train, one on the other) The 'tailings' on the left side of the photo are from the old Cataract Gulch mine. 

We've arrived back along the river--just a 'normal' grade above the water--but will climb again, just not as dramatically as the first 400 foot climb, early in the ride. We're almost to Silverton. 

The snowy peaks appear--the San Juan mtns coming closer--still lots of snow. Remember Silverton is 9300 ft in elevation and Durango was about 7000 ft. 

Taking on water. We did this 2 times going up to Silverton and 2 times on our return--only actually taking on water once each way. The weather was seasonally cool, so the train didn't need water twice. 

On top view--our brakeman, in 2 poses. Below my seat neighbor,a 25 year old passenger traveling with his 18 year old girl friend--both from NM.

...and here are the couple, ready for their week alone with nature. A 2 way radio, supplied by the RR, is there only contact with the outside world----except for any personal cell phone, of course. We waved goodbye and saw them on our return journey too, but I missed that shot with my camera---oh well, can't have them all. 

Remember those folks that were going to stay a week in a refurbished train car?? Well, here we are about to drop them off and the piece of equipment that will do the job is this front-end loader... 

Some closeup shots of those same safety personnel--firemen,'way crew' members and the conductor. These were shot in Silverton, after our safe arrival. Oops we haven't arrived yet!---- 

This is our 'watch dog'--railroad firemen that follow the train, watching for signals from the engineer, fireman(on the train) or brakemen that there is a problem--beyond fixing by 'on board personnel', that assistance is needed,come closer and help. There is always a car that goes out before the scheduled train even leaves the station(Durango or Silverton) to double check track conditions---cause even in the best of weather, rocks fall, etc. that will cause problems. Lots of safety issues taken care of so we, the passengers, can enjoy our day. 

Craft show break...

---well, about finished my xmas shopping---yes,the show was GREAT! Many of the same people from 1999 were there with just as beautiful wood, metal,stone,etc. renderings--- new people too, with more creative ideas--some of you will benefit from this show and, of course, I will. Come visit and see!
Now back to the 'riding the rails'pics---ENJOY

Break time--too tired and need to 'play'or no pics to post!

Time to go to the Craft show here today, Saturday 11th of June, in Cortez. I'll complete my Durango&Silverton RR train ride next 'post' chance I get.

Lots more pics but my posting time is slow, so many of my travels' pics are delayed getting to you. Not to worry, I won't leave you wondering if I made it up the grade to Silverton. More to follow....

These are not the same ones,as the previous post, but the cars are probably some of the original 'rolling stock' from the 1800's. The man taking the shot too, is the RR man from the East. He takes pics for his RR too--some camera he has, wow! 

--glad these aren't our cars being used today!!But they were the reason the RR was put in place--to haul freight and ore, so these would have been very useful in those days. 

This shot shows all 3 of the open gondolas--mine is the last one--I'm shooting over the graybearded man with a cap on. He is an active(not retired) railroad man from the East. 

Some interesting rock formations--along the cliff face--seems to be another tunnel but created by nature, instead of man. 

Our river has changed too. Shooting the rapids here would be very exciting!