Large Scale Central

What's to see??

General Discussion
#1

My family and I are in the planning stages of a 2-3 week adventure from Central California to Yellowstone and eventually to Mt. Rushmore and then back sometime in June traveling with our travel trailer.

I had an idea of returning from SD down through Colorado to see the Durango Silverton. There doesn’t seem to be one clear shot might make this a future adventure.

So wanted to get your thoughts and also suggestions for other things to see…I’ve never traveled to these parts so am just in the research stage.

Richard

#2

Are you planning to ride the D&S? And or the C&T? If So let me know, and that will change your plans. In the Four corners area, Mesa Verde NP ( Ancient indian runes, Cliff Dwellings. Worth the effort. The Four corners Monument, were you can stand in 4 states at the same time. Heading west to Calif, you pass Monument Valley, Lake Powell and the huge Dam on the Colorado River., Slot canyon outside page. Then onto Zion NP, and near by Bryce Canyon. All Spectacular South West icons. Then onto Nevada and maybe Las Vegas.

If you’re looking for train stuff, Well thats a different Ball game. Let me know.

#3

What Dave said.

Plus

you might want to stop in the Denver area for the Colorado Railroad Museum and Caboose Hobbies.

Just got done in September riding D&S, and Cumbres and Toltec - DON"T MISS THEM.

Particularly the C&T.

PS. The C&T vests in the store in Chama are nicer than the D&S vests in Durango. Seemed heavier fleece and nicer zipper.

#4

Richard, you’ve got Railtown in Jamestown, which is just a stone’s throw from Yellowstone. They have several steam locos there, including a recently restored (and operational) 4-6-0 that was featured in many films including “Back to the Future.”

#5

Joe Rusz said:

Richard, you’ve got Railtown in Jamestown, which is just a stone’s throw from Yellowstone. They have several steam locos there, including a recently restored (and operational) 4-6-0 that was featured in many films including “Back to the Future.”

Have to have one heck of an arm for that one.

Now maybe Yosemite :wink:

The Nevada Northern in Ely is always worth a stop.

#6

Getting to the D&S and C&T would be on our way home with the way our current plans are going. Right now we are thinking of shooting up through Reno then through Salt Lake City headed towards Yellowstone…just not sure what entrance we would take…looking at KOAs.

But then we would shoot straight across Wyoming to South Dakota and spend some time in Dead Wood where Calamity Jane is buried (I had the chance to work with country artist Louise Mandrell (Barbara’s sister) a few years ago on the musical Calamity Jane here in Fresno). Would be fun to see all the history up close and personal with that time

And yes, Joe we do have Railtown in Jamestown close by…know it well. The Christmas card I posted on the “Merry Christmas” post on this site is a shot of the restored No 3 while it was drizzly and cold on December late afternoon. We rode the Christmas train later that night…the photo by the way is untouched except for the writing done in Photoshop Elements.

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas!!

Richard

#7

Well, maybe he’s another Clayton Kershaw. OK, so I meant Yosemite. All those Y words look alike.

#8

I definitely recommend the Nevada Northern in Ely, if you’re going through central Nevada!