This trip seems to be fraught with mishaps. So today is my birthday, and I’m a HUGE fan of birthdays. Since Ed is still here, I decided to take the day off and celebrate with a day-long ride on the famous Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Most people say the first half, from Chama to Osier, offers the most spectacular scenery. But if you have the time, do the entire line from Chama, N.M., to Antonito, Colo. So that’s what I signed us up for. I also opted for us to bus first to Antonito, ending in Chama where we’re staying. I’d rather have the hour-long bus ride first thing, rather than the end of the day.
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Mishaps in Chama
Ed and I got up early and had a really good breakfast at the Espresso & Wine Bar. The staff even gave me a free biscotti when they learned it was my birthday!
The bus ride was fine, and then we got on the train. The first half of the trip was great. It was fun to be on an old train, the scenery was amazing and you could walk between cars and even into an open-air car for better views.
We enjoyed late-morning margaritas, then I scored an extra one for my birthday!
Lunch Brings Bad News
We stopped in Osier for lunch. I assumed it would be nothing special, but it was a homemade buffet with lots of good dishes. But during lunch, we were told a train leaving Chama broke down on the tracks.
This meant we couldn’t continue into Chama on the most scenic part of the route. Instead, we had to turn around and go back to Antonito – and have a second hour-long bus ride.
Originally, we were supposed to be back in Chama by 4:30, which would have given us time to pack up (Ed flies home tomorrow and I continue backpacking), plus head out to celebrate my birthday.
Instead, we didn’t get back until 7 p.m. All of the restaurants were closed, so no birthday dinner or even drinks in a bar. Oh, well, it’s not the end of the world. Still, we’ll likely never be here again, so it was really too bad.
Snowshoe
Today’s Miles: 0 (0 km)
CDT Miles to Date: 702.7 (1,130.9 km)
CDT Miles to Go: 2,397.3 (3,858.1 km)
