Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Celebrating Fall

Greetings...if you're looking for a posting about a knitting project, this isn't it. I hope you'll stay with me, though, as I share with you a most wonderful day.



Yesterday the Sunflowers and I took the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad from Antonito to Chama.  The trip starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends in Chama around 4:30, with a stop mid-way for lunch.  (They bus you back to your car in Antonito afterward.)  This historic, narrow-gauge, train took us 64 miles through many elevations and different types of ecosystems, from sage covered prairie through different levels of forests.  We saw fall colors at their best, some that have already seen their best, and large patches of snow at the highest of elevations from a recent storm.Cimg0532  Cimg0519



Here are some sample pics: one of Joan, enjoying the colors from the "tailgate", and a peek at some of the stands of aspen we saw in all their glory. 



I said this posting had nothing to do with knitting.  That's not really true, as it turns out.  We spent the day knitting as the train ambled its course (we never go anywhere without a project).  Sometimes we'd pause to take photos, sometimes to ooooh and awwwww over the scenery, and a few times I saw some of the others resting their heads on the window sills, just staring and day dreaming.  A day like this was so full of happiness and inspiration, I'm guessing at least a few knitting projects will sprout as a result!



Should you find yourself interested in this trip, please see the railway's website:  www.cumbrestoltec.com for more information.  They close this next weekend, but if all things work out, we hope they'll make it for another season.  Theirs is a thin thread they hang by.Cimg0563..with little advertising budget, and some limited funding from the state, they are very dependent on donations and riders to keep them going. 



Our parting shot...we are looking forward to seeing many of you this week and coming weekend during the much anticipated Taos Wool Festival (#23!).  Travel safely and enjoy the colors...



Martie & The Sunflowers



Bennie, Lorraine, Joan, Connie and yours truly



3 comments:

Lisa said...

Oh, Martie, this looks so great! I'm sad that I wasn't able to join you! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
xoxox - lisa (honorary sunflower)

Bernadette Garner said...

This was an incredible adventure. If anyone wants to spend a day taken back in time then this is the way to do it. It is a trip that makes you wonder and daydream about how things used to be. Moving at such a slow pace is so wonderful. Thank you again Martie for such a glorious day and thanks you to all the Sunflowers for the company and making me feel such a part of the group. Heres to yellow trees and slow trains....Love, Bennie.....ps I will be posting on the blog once I figure out how to...

Mickey said...

Okay, that does it! I am going to go get a job...but finding a yarn shop here in sunny San Pedro, let alone a train that goes through the mountains, could end up being a full time job in itself. What a lucky bunch of ladies!!
Mickey