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All aboard for a wine tasting train ride through the Royal Gorge, Colorado
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There has always been a fascination with trains. Perhaps it is due to the Lionel train that puffed along a track while a youth, or the experience of riding a real train from Detroit, Michigan to Albany, New York as a teen. Visits to Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania has a large assortment of trains. Both young and old pause and observe these marvelous machines that certainly helped to build this nation. A favorite train experience came while wine tasting on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad traveling through the Royal Gorge along the Arkansas River.
Anticipation mounts as travelers, at the Royal Gorge Route Railroad station in Cañon City, Colorado wait for the train to pull in so they can experience the train and the ride through the gorge. Close to the parking area, the Arkansas River ambles quietly in this tranquil surrounding. An old steam engine, coal car and caboose are on display admired by children and adults. Finally the train pulls in; passengers disembark and the line for the next ride enters.
Seating on the second level of a domed car provides a delightful view. Four wine glasses with two white wines and two red wines contrast against the white linen tablecloth. Comfortable seating adds to the experience, and slowly the train begins to move. Thinking that this is like any other wine tasting is put to rest within five minutes. A waitress brings a plate of food with items created to pair with one of the four wines. All the wines are locally made at the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. The wine and food pairing is delightful, but it difficult to concentrate once the train enters the gorge. Looking out the domed windows, one discovers that the beauty of the surroundings commands your attention.
At the halfway point the train stops and reverses direction. A waitress asks which wine tourists like and then quickly fills a glass with that wine. Armed with wine in one hand and camera in the other, one proceeds to the open car to experience the ride back to the depot. The train follows along the Arkansas River and one can observe many white water rafters enjoying the rapids assuming their screams were delight. The train stops under the Royal Gorge Bridge, the world’s highest suspension bridge. The bridge looks like it is built into the sky towering 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. People, along the 1,270-foot bridge, appear to be the size of dots.
The experience of the train ride, wine and food pairing and the scenery of the Royal Gorge makes for an exceptional afternoon. Certainly worth a trip from the Baltimore region, one can also visit the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. There are many lodging facilities in Cañon City and outdoor activities abound at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. You can fly from BWI to Denver, however you may save on airfare flying into Colorado Springs. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is about a three-hour drive from Denver and only a ninety-minute drive from Colorado Springs.
If interested read an article about the wine tasting on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad or about the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey.
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