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Blue Springs, MO —
I recently took a trip to Idaho. I had traveled by Amtrak years ago, and I knew it was time to ride the train again.
My reason for traveling west was to celebrate my grandson’s eighth birthday and be present for his baptism. I plan to attend all of my grandchildren’s baptisms. I want to share with them my pride and happiness in their decision to be baptized and my belief in God.
I drove to Omaha and boarded the Amtrak train heading west. I was eager to visit Ashley and her family.
I have taken the train east multiple times. I’ve traveled across Missouri, Illinois, and into Chicago. I’ve passed through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania. It’s wonderful to see the countryside.
However, I have never traveled west of Missouri on a train. I don’t believe I was prepared for the absolute majesty that I was about to see.
This Amtrak route crosses Nebraska and Colorado. After entering Utah, the train, known as the California Zephyr, takes a turn north toward Salt Lake City.
I don’t know if I can possibly describe the scenery while crossing Colorado. It was breathtaking.
The Colorado River’s origin is in the Rocky Mountains, and it appears out of nowhere. The river is a slender, sparkling phenomenon, so beautiful.
Almost as soon as the river appeared, the train conductor announced its emergence and encouraged us to watch for fishermen, rafters, eagles and an occasional brown cub.
And he was right. There were numerous fishermen, each as friendly as my co-travelers, waving to us as we passed by.
As the river began to widen, I saw rafts filled with numerous happy passengers. I saw kayaks, oar boats, orange, yellow or green rafts, three eagles and a brown cub.
It was difficult not to focus on simply the rafters. In spite of the swiftly moving passengers, the magnificent trees, dramatic canyons and gorgeous mountains pulled my eyes back to the nature scenes.
I have traveled by car, east to west, for more than 35 years and have never seen the sights where the Amtrak train took us.
Our train sliced through the Rockies, passing through a dozen canyons, including the Gore and Glenwood. We crossed through Winter Park into Grand Junction and then headed to Utah.
I had never heard of the Moffet Tunnel, a six-mile tunnel that links Denver to the west through the Continental Divide. However, I have not only heard about the tunnel, I’ve now traveled through it.
I recently took a trip to Idaho. I had traveled by Amtrak years ago, and I knew it was time to ride the train again.
My reason for traveling west was to celebrate my grandson’s eighth birthday and be present for his baptism. I plan to attend all of my grandchildren’s baptisms. I want to share with them my pride and happiness in their decision to be baptized and my belief in God.
I drove to Omaha and boarded the Amtrak train heading west. I was eager to visit Ashley and her family.
I have taken the train east multiple times. I’ve traveled across Missouri, Illinois, and into Chicago. I’ve passed through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania. It’s wonderful to see the countryside.
However, I have never traveled west of Missouri on a train. I don’t believe I was prepared for the absolute majesty that I was about to see.
This Amtrak route crosses Nebraska and Colorado. After entering Utah, the train, known as the California Zephyr, takes a turn north toward Salt Lake City.
I don’t know if I can possibly describe the scenery while crossing Colorado. It was breathtaking.
The Colorado River’s origin is in the Rocky Mountains, and it appears out of nowhere. The river is a slender, sparkling phenomenon, so beautiful.
Almost as soon as the river appeared, the train conductor announced its emergence and encouraged us to watch for fishermen, rafters, eagles and an occasional brown cub.
And he was right. There were numerous fishermen, each as friendly as my co-travelers, waving to us as we passed by.
As the river began to widen, I saw rafts filled with numerous happy passengers. I saw kayaks, oar boats, orange, yellow or green rafts, three eagles and a brown cub.
It was difficult not to focus on simply the rafters. In spite of the swiftly moving passengers, the magnificent trees, dramatic canyons and gorgeous mountains pulled my eyes back to the nature scenes.
I have traveled by car, east to west, for more than 35 years and have never seen the sights where the Amtrak train took us.
Our train sliced through the Rockies, passing through a dozen canyons, including the Gore and Glenwood. We crossed through Winter Park into Grand Junction and then headed to Utah.
I had never heard of the Moffet Tunnel, a six-mile tunnel that links Denver to the west through the Continental Divide. However, I have not only heard about the tunnel, I’ve now traveled through it.
After crossing into Utah, I moved from my coach seat into the lounge car and viewed a rainstorm, which was as inspirational as a Fourth of July celebration. The rainstorm concluded with not one, but two picturesque rainbows.
I got so involved in the spectacular light performance, I almost forgot my dinner reservation in the dining car.
Time passed quickly, during my live nature picture show. Before I knew it, I was walking in Ashley’s front door hugging my daughter, Cameron, and my four fun-loving grandchildren.
If I were to leave a word in parting, it would be a message to my grandson, Dallin.
Dallin, grandma knows that God lives. He hears our prayers and answers them. He blesses us, as we strive to make good choices and serve others. He especially loves children, just like you, and He will always watch over you.
Dallin, our Heavenly Father has done more for you than you can imagine. He created this world for you to enjoy. He created the mountains, the canyons, the rivers, the eagles, the brown bears and each one of us. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
