Travels West: Deserts, Mountains and the Ocean: NM #34--Amtrak to New Mexico, Part 6: Eastbound By Rail

PAGE SIX: EASTBOUND BY RAIL (17 Photos)

We had arrived in Albuquerque late on Easter Monday afternoon, and we had hiked on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday we had also gone up to Sandia Peak via tram. Our train back to Chicago left Friday at noon. We had a relaxed morning to pack, go to Anapurna for a farewell vegan breakfast (cardamom pancakes!), check out of our hotel, and return our rental car to the airport. When we arrived at the Amtrak station our train (from Los Angeles) had already arrived. It makes a long stopover in Albuquerque for refueling and window washing. As a result, there are a number of vendors that set up during the day at the station. I was able to board and sit in the observation car until our room was ready. Deb explored the vendors. The trip home was as much fun as the trip out here. For once we were not dreading the journey home, but actually looking forward to it. We arrived in Chicago on time on Saturday afternoon at 3:20 pm (5 minutes late, actually). We had almost three hours downtown, and headed to the Elephant and Castle Pub (see pub page). Our train to Detroit departed on time at 6 pm, but we were an hour late getting into Dearborn. We finally got into our house about 1:30 am, and into bed around 2:30 am.

Deb checks out the vendors at Albuquerque Amtrak Station, prior to departure. I watched from the observation car.

About one minute after leaving the Albuquerque Station we passed Marble Brewery. We had already popped open our two cans of Marble IPA, and saluted as we passed.

A house in the typical "Santa Fe" style.

We passed this very funky house just east of Lamy, NM, near Santa Fe. Not in the typical Santa Fe Style!

Me and Deb's walking stick bunny enjoy the views from our own private room.

Snow capped peaks of the NM Rocky Mtns., seen from the observation car near Pecos, NM.

The eastern plains of NM include several very large extinct volcanoes.

Extreme telephoto shot of Little Costilla Peak, from the observation car approaching Raton. Deb, Amanda and I have climbed it along the entire ridge from left to right.

Small herd of elk, just inside the border of Colorado, after crossing Raton Pass.

View south from downtown Trinidad, Colorado, atop the observation car. The train makes a very brief stop here.

Our train climbs onto the plains of Colorado, after leaving Trinidad. Sunset was approaching.

Next morning we awoke just west of Kansas City. We made it into the busy railroad city after breakfast. There is a lengthy stopover here, and we got out for a long stretch. This is one of our favourite cities, and we long to return for a proper visit. Our friend Tempe O. dances here with the KC Ballet!