Day 13
Today we visited Monument Valley. Enjoy the photos.
Our final destination of the day was Flagstaff and the Little America Hotel, we are here for two nights and have a full rest day tomorrow – pool day me thinks!
Coast to Coast USA
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Coast to Coast USA
Day 12
This morning we set off by coach, with our driver Paul, through the San Juan Mountains. This is a high and rugged mountain range within the Rocky Mountains. Before reaching this mountain area we passed through three little America towns, Delta, Montrose and Ridgeway. Our first stop of the day was at Ouray before travelling on to our lunch stop at Silverton. We had lunch at Grumpy’s and time to explore the old town.
After our break, Paul and his coach carried on the journey to Durango, whilst we caught the Silverton to Durango steam train. The trip took us through the mountains to our final destination for the day, Durango and the Doubletree Hotel.
COAST TO COAST USA
Day 11
Having started the day with an early alarm call the first thing we were told was that the train would be an hour late departing but it was worth the wait!
The scenery through the mountains and along the Colorado River was breathtaking. Pictures say it all and video on my Flickr account.
Coast to Coast USA
Day 10
I cannot believe we are now half way through our holiday but what a great day we had.
With another early start we set off with our tour guide, Barbara, for a day long journey up into the Rockies. We drove to the highest point, for road traffic, a height of just over 12,000 feet and if we thought the air was thin in Denver that was nothing compared to at this height. Even with the benefit of drinking lots of water my head felt light. We took in some fantastic scenery and managed to photograph many of the different wildlife.
And as they say ‘leave the best to last’, the best pose goes to the moose.
On the way down the mountain we had a stop at Grand Lake (also known as Spirit Lake)
And finally, we stop at the Continental Divide.
Coast to Coast USA
Day 9
We arrived at Denver train station just over an hour late. We were treated to a orientation and history tour, enough said about that.
After checking in at the hotel we went for a walk down Denver’s mile long mall. You can also travel the length of the mall on their electrically run free shuttle buses. These stop at every block corner for you to get on or off.
Next we went to the Civic Centre to see their buildings and statues before returning to the hotel for a rest and swim in the open air pool on the roof, floor 16.
The day ended with an excellent three course meal and bottle of merlot in the hotel’s restaurant.
Coast to Coast USA
Day 8
Today we had only a few hours in Chicago before boarding the California Zephyr to Denver.
We decided to visit one of Chicago’s 29 beaches on Lake Michigan and dipped our feet in the cool fresh water.
Next it was back to Union Station and all aboard the California Zephyr. Estimated time of journey was 18.5 hours but we were warned due to the extremely hot temperatures, over 100 in Chicago, we may be restricted on speed and therefore the journey could be longer.
The Journey took us through corn fields and at one of the smoking stops, Galesburg, we pulled up along side an old steam train.
No more stops before dinner but by dinner we knew we were already some 45 minutes delayed.
Coast to Coast USA
Day 7
So our first night on a train is over. Picture this, you are on the top floor of a train and then on a bunk bed. The experience was both enjoyable and at times scary. The only way to describe the scary bit is by imagining that you are travel in an aeroplane through extreme turbulence. But I did manage a reasonable nights sleep.
We arrived in Chicago an hour late and then enjoyed a three hour tour with our guide Wayne. We had a lunch stop at the American Embassy (McDonalds), Wayne’s words. On the tour we learnt about the Blues and Gangsters, in particular Al Capone. We were shown the site of the St Valentine Massacre.
After the tour and having checked in to our hotel we went site seeing.
We had a drink in the John Hancock Tower, the 96th floor (signature Lounge) with great views of Chicago.
We then rode the Loop.
Saw the start of Route 66.
And took a walk through Millennium Park and took a picture of the Cloud sculpture. Referred to by locals as the bean.
In the evening we took a group boat ride down the Chicago River and onto Lake Michigan. An opportunity to take some skyline pictures as the sun went down.
Coast to Coast USA
Day 6
This morning we had a few hours for further sightseeing before returning to the Hotel for the next part of our journey, more in a while.
We decided, after breakfast, to take a short trip by metro across the Potomac River to Arlington Cemetery and a visit to JF and Jacqui Kennedy’s graves and the eternal flame.
We then went on to see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Arlington Cemetery was a very moving experience.
Returning to DC lunch was followed by the short journey back to Union Station where we boarded our sleeper Amtrak train bound for Chicago. After an enjoyable dinner it was time to climb into my top bunk for an unknown experience – more on this tomorrow.
Coast to Coast USA
Day 5
Today we had a free day to sightsee in the Capital.
We visited:
The White House but were not invited in for coffee.
Three Smithsonian Museums:
Museum of American History
Air and Space Museum
National Museum of the American Indian
Our walk back to our hotel took us via Capital Hill
We visited China Town for dinner and had a very tasty Chinese meal.
The highlight of the day for two of our party (Nic no need to point out here who they are but you will guess correctly) was that when we used the public transport they were classed as Senior Citizens and therefore paid half the normal ticket price. Saying that full price was only $1 each way!
Coast to Coast USA
Day 4
Today we left New York for Washington DC. We boarded the train at Penn Station, platform 9. Extremely wide and comfortable seats.
Stations we have stopped at on route include Newark, Newark International Airport, Metropark, Trenton, (all in New Jersey), Philadelphia, Baltimore, BWI (Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport) and finally Washington DC. Total travel time was 3hrs and 20mins.
After arriving at Washington Union Station we met our bus, driven by our ‘motor coach operative’ Gerry West (He was keen to point out that he was not a bus driver). Gerry took us on a 4 hour drive around the City dropping us off to see various monuments including:
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The Air Force Memorial and the Marine Monument. We also saw the White House, Capitol Hill and many of the Smithsonian Buildings housing many museums.
Arrived at Hotel early evening.
Unfortunately, no pictures today as I have mislaid the cable for downloading from camera, hopefully normal service will resume tomorrow.
Great news, maybe! I have found the cable, it was hiding in one of my shoes. Should have looked there first before emptying the cases three times in a desperate search.
Photos of the monuments visited:
Vietnam Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Korean Memorial
Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
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