The steam rendezvous in Chama finished this morning as Galloping Goose #5 & #7 were idle along with D&RGW 315 in the yard. The odd looking beast in the picture is Goose #7 which was brought down from the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden Colorado (the picture is a stock image from Golden).
Neight and Sarah were with us on yesterday's train out of Antonito. It was a fun ride with just a few passengers. Trains such as this give the opportunity to chat a lot instead of giving a structured interpretation. It was especially fun to show Neight the feral offspring of Elk when as our journey took us through the valley of the headwaters of the Rio de Los Pinos just below Cumbres, Colorado. At Cumbres both Geese and the #315 were stationed with a large group of people gathered around them.
Neight and Sarah left for Hardin this morning and were near Salina, KS in a heavy rainstorm as I write this. They will be staying overnight there, thankfully, and then on to Plummer Hill tomorrow.
I was Docent on yesterday's Antonito train and have been scheduled for the Chama - Antonito train on Friday and Sunday. Next Tuesday our friends, Jerry and Sally, will be here to join us on the Antonito - Chama train and the following day I will docent the same train. That wraps up my duties in Chama for this year. We will be starting home on Thursday the 8th tor an overnight stay in Lamar, Colorado then on over to Salina, Kansas and then back on Plummer Hill in the early evening Saturday. It will be a slow drive as we are bringing the trailer home.
Lots more to tell and we really look forward to a cup of coffee after church on Sunday and, certainly, Paul's inspirational message as well. Being a docent is developing a much greater appreciation of the fine art of pure B.S.
We are offf to chase a train tomorrow and then to Great Sand Dunes National Monument. Wednesday we will go to Santa Fe and spend a few hours just strolling around shopping while buying nothing. Off to Espanola to see if we can pick-up dried peppers on the way back to Chama.
The temperature has not exceeded 80 degrees since we arrived and night time temps fell into the high 30's on one occasion. Unusual frequent rain iwhich is often very heavy has been experienced all but two days and is forecast all the way through our departure.
Neight and Sarah have encountered very violent weather including hail and extreme rain. They arrived in Salina safely as I finish this post.
Autumn is in the air and the Aspen are just starting to change. 54 days are remain in this years schedule on the railroad and by then the snow should be accumulating on the passes.
Sleep well.