It can be a challenge (and I am sure I will find it even more so when I am in remote park locations) to find adequate Wi-Fi that will allow for uploading photos and blog posts. In some places I can use cellular data but that is surely with a cost – Verizon is going to love me! So posts may come in bunches when the ability to access Wi-Fi is available. In this case, a local brewery nearby the campground has free Wi-Fi (go figure!).
So, with thanks to Dry Dock Brewing Company (more about them in a later post) readers may catch up with the journey.
No trip to Durango is complete without a ride on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. For this rail and scenery buff it is a real treat.
Last time we rode this historic train to Silverton Matt was just about 5 or 6 years old.
Now at 22 he seemed to enjoy the journey just as much as the first time. Somewhere in storage I have a photo of him wearing an identical train hat 17 years ago! He was a good sport and repeated the performance for this trip.
As I wanted as much time as possible in Silverton I booked the earliest train (leaving at 8 am) and the latest bus back to Durango.
Riding the 3.5-hour trip in the open-air glass roof car (Knight Sky) was an excellent choice.
And no train ride is complete without the cup of warm hot chocolate (according to Matt anyway). Fortunately it was all you can drink!
The ride to Silverton is through some amazing country, much of it away from roads and civilization.
Add to that the sway of the train and the sound of the steam locomotive and rails and you have the perfect experience.
Our car steward was very knowledgeable about the history and the area, which made the trip very educational and interesting.
With the early train and the late bus we were able to spend some quality time in the town of Silverton. After lunch at a brewery/pizza restaurant we wandered the town visiting some historic spots and some less historic shopping opportunities.
It was fun to see the 4-wheel drive and off-road community enjoying the town as Silverton allows off-road vehicles of all types on it’s access roads.
After a final stop at the other brewery in town to sample it’s brew we headed for the bus and the ride home. Although not as beautiful or as long it was a good opportunity for a quick nap on the ride back.
Back in Durango a stop at the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum was in order. It was an interesting collection of railroad and other memorabilia and definitely worth the stop and the time.
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