San Luis Valley, CO
Our first stop in Colorado was the Conejos River RV Park west of Antonito.
We started our Cumbres-Toltec excursion at the Antonito Depot.
The bus ride to Chama, NM was quite scenic.
We boarded the train in Chama, NM for our trip back to Antonito.
 
Huffing and puffing at the station.
A train clip with some pretty cool audio.
Trainspotters followed the train by car snapping photos at every opportunity.
Advice:  Wear a hat to protect your head from the embers.
Susan really should have taken that hat advice - she has so little hair to lose.
The train takes on water, and...
The train lets off steam.
One of the trestles along our route.
Rocky Mountain highlands.
A hearty lunch at Osier is included in the fare.
Yes, Maude, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Don't breath those burning embers!
The width of the tunnel is not much more than the train cars - keep hands and head inside the car.
Bill happily finds shelter from the chilly wind.
More high country scenery.
There were many aspen groves along the route hinting at the beauty that awaits in fall.
Many views were only assessable by foot, hoof or train.
San Luis Lake State Park is located about 10 miles from Great Sand Dunes.
The shallow lake provided dramatic reflections of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
A westward view from Mosca Pass Trail to the Dunes and San Luis Valley beyond.
Mosca Pass Trail led us through lush aspen groves and flower scattered meadows.
 
A panorama of the Great Sand Dunes and the mountains beyond.
The 12,000'+ peaks provide a striking contrast to the starkly beautiful dunes.
Susan wondering, "If people of the snow have snowshoes, do people of the dunes have sand shoes?"
The intrepid hikers have successfully summited the High Dune.
Heart of the Rockies RV Park was marginal, but OK for a two night stay.
Royal Gorge Bridge Park offered thrills, vistas, history and live music.
Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the world.
The bridge spans the Royal Gorge carved by the Arkansas River below.
The aerial  tram provides a thrilling gorge crossing and spectacular views.
The Royal Gorge Scenic Railroad operates out of Canon City.
For you engineering buffs - one of the cables suspending the bridge.
A cross-section of cable.  This made us feel a bit more secure when walking across the bridge.
The flag of our home state of South Dakota.
A tummy flipping view of the river and rafters, the train and the hanging railroad bridge.
A Shelby Mustang Auto Club was having a photo shoot on the bridge.
The Royal Rush Skycoaster briefly suspends the victim, I mean thrillseeker, over the gorge.
The Incline Railway transports passengers 1,500' to the canyon floor.
The canyon is only 50' wide at the Incline Railway's terminus.
White water rafting through the Gorge is very popular.
An alternative view of the bridge.

Antonito, CO
Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park
Royal Gorge Bridge Park
Movie!
Choo, Choo goes the train.
1.7 MB file