FALL ADVENTURE OF RUINS AND RAILS

Cindy and I felt the need to get out of town for a few days. Since we had both wanted to see the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde  National Park we decided to head that way. Since we were going to be driving to southwest Colorado we also decided to ride the Cumbres and Toltec  scenic railroad and see the Fall colors. It worked out perfectly.

Our first destination would be the Fall colors. Our dream train was going to take us on a 64 mile trip starting in Chama, N.M. and ending in Antonito, CO.

Our train uses a narrow gage rail best suited for mountain terrain.  The engine was 92 years old and did a wonderful job pulling out 7 car train.

The aspen were gloriously yellow and very stunning.

After a long day and a nights rest we drove further West to Mesa Verde.

Mesa Verde was populated by ancestral pueblo  Indians  until about 1300A.D. when the small communities of cliff dwellers moved on. 

Our getaway was short and tiring but we are glad we went.