Summer Vacation part two

Now here is something uniquely Colorado, and something Xander was SUPER excited about doing together: The Durango to Silverton Railway- a real steam locomotive!

The railway is purely for tourism and travels some backcountry in Colorado that is almost impossible to access otherwise.  We saw some of the most pristine and rugged land I'd ever seen, and did so in wonderful comfort.  In fact, we had three different cabins during our journey: The economy-class but covered family cabin first,

 

Half way up they upgraded us to a car all to ourselves in first class.  (The First class cabin was not intended for families, but since it was vacated by passengers offloading for a resort part way, the head porter saw an opportunity to make us grateful passengers and allow the kids a little more space for a short nap!)  Then, on the way down we were back in the family cars but mid-class.

I loved watching the kids watch the country roll by.  Xander especiallywas enthralled and enthusiastically shared his impressions

Most of the time I had no worries about Xander leaning out the window.  We were far enough back that the smoke and cinders didn't reach us much, and the windows only opened half way.

Of course, every once in awhile there was a pretty good reason to keep all heads and fingers INSIDE the moving train!  That rock is only 6 inches or so away!

I'm not sure why but I absolutely loved watching the train take on water - look carefully and you'll see the "spicket" that the staff has to reach up to grab and pull to the train each time.  I would NOT want to be up there in bad weather!

 

 

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The next day, it was time to head home, but we did so via the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  These are the tallest dunes in North America and just seem to come from nowhere! 

 

Once you're there, you look out at the sand and say to yourself "Now what?" 

 You pose for a few photos...

 

And then you start hiking... maybe the view at the top is different?

 

When you realize that it is 1 pm, and you'll never get to the top with two small children, you decide that some crazy jumping down the dunes with your 3 year old is WAY more fun than hiking up!

If you are a 1 year old, and see your older brother having fun, you want in on the action too. 

If Mom and Dad are too tired to keep jumping (and hauling the kids back up) you decide that you can slide down just fine all by yourself!

 Ahh.... time to walk back to the car, and head on home to Boulder!

 

 Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for a great vacation!