Up and Over the Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains

Looks like sugar

It did not take long for me to see where the snow was in Colorado.  I knew that it would be up in the mountains for sure.
I did talk with some of the train workers at the station and asked them "Where is all of your snow?"  They said "Up in the mountains, were it should be."  They proceeded to tell me that it would be close to 60 degrees the next day in Denver.

Observation Car on the Zephyr

Glenwood Springs stop

Lots of Snow!

Famous Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs Train Station

Waking up in Denver

The train arrived in Denver at about 7:00 in the morning;  Mountain Standard Time.  It was a clear morning.  I did see the sun come up.

The Mile High City of Denver

What was striking to me immediately, was that there was no snow!!!  I knew that the Boston area would soon be getting hit with another blast of snow in the next couple of hours.  Just leaving Snowbury(what I call Sudbury in the winter) with tons of snow and arriving in Denver with no snow was a little off balance for me.

Denver Train Station

Downtown Denver

Coach Cate in Denver, Colorado

The California Zephyr

Wednesday January 26, 2011
I left Chicago at 2:00pm sharp.  I was ready for this two and half day journey that would take me through the plains of the midwest, the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Mountains of the west.  We would then proceed down into the Sacramento Valley and end in the Bay Area of California.
I had never been on this train route before, so I was very excited to especially go through the mountain passes.  I had been through these passes before by car.  Many times the train goes places cars do not.  This would be the case when we would be going up and down the mountain sides.
On the Zephyr, there is an observation car with windows all around.
Courtney and I have been on trains in Switzerland through the Alps.  Those train cars also have observation cars.  It was breath taking then and I know my ride will be breath taking both today and tomorrow.

The California Zephyr

My seat on the train

Today I passed through Iowa, Nebraska.  Sometime in the early morning, I would arrive in the Rocky Mountain State of Colorado.

All Aboard From Boston to Chicago

Wednesday January 26th, 2011
I woke up somewhere in Ohio.  I believe it was Cleveland.  I slept o.k. during the night.  I had the seat to myself, so I could stretch out.  It was hot inside the train for most of the day before and in the evening, but cooler at night.  I did not take my sleeping bag out, so I was a little cold.

Inside my train car from Boston to Chicago

I had a banana, a mandarin orange, and some walnuts for breakfast.  I arrived in the Windy City at about 9:55 Central Standard Time.  I had time to go for a walk before my next train to catch at 2:00pm.

Skyline of Chicago on a cold winter day

I walked down to Lake Michigan and over to Navy Pier.  It was a couple of miles and it was cold.  Not too windy though.

I have been to Chicago many times, but never to Navy Pier.  There was not much going on there, but I could imagine what it will be like when I come back through in May.  For one thing, it will be a lot warmer.

I walked around for 3 hours with my backpack on.  I love just going out and exploring places.  I asked where the nearest Trader Joe's was, so I could stock up on some food for the two and half day trip out to California.  I wanted to bring food on the train, so I would have a bunch of healthy food choices.  I bought some yogurt, granola, a pomegranate, an orange, a few bananas, an apple, hummus, crackers, spring mix, goat cheese with blueberries and a Toblerone chocolate bar.  I also bought a few bottles of seltzer water.
I made it back to Union Station with about 15 minutes before my train was heading west.

Navy Pier - Chicago Illinois

I was happy about my trek through downtown Chicago.  It was a good workout and now I had some great food to eat on my long train ride to California.  There is food available on the train.  They have a Cafe Car and a Dining Car.  I may eat a meal in the Dining car;  where fresh food is prepared.

Frozen Lake Michigan

Fishing on Lake Michigan

Lots Of Fun at Navy Pier

Leaving Boston On a Snowy Day

On Tuesday January 25th, with my bike boxed and my bike trailer all packed;   my brother Peter drove me into the city. 

Bike and Bike Trailer ready to go!

I was able to walk around the snowy streets of Boston, before my scheduled departure of 12:00 noon.  I was in familiar territory, as I have walked and biked the streets of this great city many times.
I walked around Copley and down to the Charles River.  There was a lot of snow and more was coming in a day or two.
I went to Trader Joe's to pick up some healthy foods for the train ride west.
I arrived at the station with minutes to spare!  Thanks to the ticket personnel and the Red Cap for all of your help! All Aboard to Chicago!!!

Dartmouth and Newbury Streets

 

 

Snowed in - Beantown

Coach Cate's Train

Send Off From Cougar Pride

Coach Cate and Courtney

On Monday January 24th, with my bags packed, I got a great big hug and kiss from my daughter Courtney and headed on a very familiar ride to my home school;  The Ephraim Curtis Middle School in Sudbury, Massachusetts - Home of Cougar Pride.
I was bundled up and ready to start my trip;  the trip that I had envisioned and planned for many years.  It was a bitter cold morning with the wind stinging my face and the temperatures in the single digits.  The hug from my wonderful daughter and the well wishes that I had already received and were about to receive certainly warmed my heart and in turn trickled to the rest of my body.
Thanks to all of Cougar Pride, the Sudbury K-8 Community, Maria Melchionda - Executive Director of MAHPERD and the Town of Sudbury, Massachusetts for the great send-off.  I love you all!

Curtis Cougars

Sudbury Healthy Living Educators

Town Hall - Sudbury, Massachusetts