Utah Honeymoon
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First Time Train Traveler
We arrive at the station in Philadelphia 5 minutes before our train is scheduled to leave. Having only experienced the grueling process involved with air travel we are certain that we have missed our ride. We barrel through the station with our luggage completely surprised at the ease of boarding. No emptying our pockets, no scanners, no pat downs. We jog up to our train car and throw our bags in the luggage hold.
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Freedom on The Rails
Francelys and I quickly realize that train travel is an entirely different beast as compared to plane travel. There are empty seats! You get to choose your own seat! Not only that but you can get up and switch seats when ever it suits your fancy! The seats recline and I don't meen half an inch I mean alllll the way back. If that is not good enough there is a foot rest that comes up just like your recliner back home. I utilize our newly recognized freedom to jump back a seat and capture a photograph of my beautiful wife. This is our first married day together. A great day to start an adventure!
The Unseen Places
We are heading towards our first stop in Pittsuburgh Pennsylvania. There is something very peaceful but a little somber about riding the tracks. The train gently rocks along and I excpect to pass through town centers and busy suburbs but it rarely does. The tracks always seem to skirt around all the populated areas. We see lots of quite woods but we also pass through a lot of empty rail yards that seem to have been forgotten.
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Transfer In Pittsburgh
Francelys and I get off the train from Philly and are looking to fill the void forming in our stomachs. At this point we have not yet realized that we can check our luggage and are currently dragging it through the city seeking out an interesting place to eat. We Stop at the front of a pub called Sammy's. A kind woman with a New Zealander's accent sees our bags and mistakenly offers us a place to sleep for the night. Anywhere that brings people kind enough to offer two strangers a place to stay must be a good place to eat! We head on in and order Sammy's specialty, corn beef sandwiches.
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Sammy's is Awesome!
We place our orders at the back of the bar. We ask the woman at the prep table for sauerkraut instead of coleslaw in our corn beef sandwhiches. She kindly forgives our ignorance and makes the sandwiches with coleslaw anyway. I'm so glad she did because this sandwich is amazing! After eating we strike up conversation with the kind woman from New Zealand. We explain tht we are not homeless but on our honey moon and efore we know it we are sharing drinks and stories with everyone around the bar. We laugh, we drink and we laugh some more. All too soon it is time to head back to the station. We say our goodbyes, pick up our rolling luggage and return to the city streets.
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City Streets
Car lights streak by us as we walk back to the station.
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Pittsburgh Station
Before getting back on the train I attempt to create an image of the gorgeous architecture of the upper level of Pittsburgh Station. Sadly I am escorted out from under the arches. Apparently there is a private event being held and I was not invited. I am still determined to capture something of this station so I setup my tripod in the parking lot.
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Beacon of Light
A building in the distance catches the morning light and casts its' long reflection across the river.
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Looking Ahead
We still have quite a ways to go on the rails but already I am anxiously looking forward to sinking my feet in the red desert sand.
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Passing by a Cathedral
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Chicago, The Second Stop
We head out for some breakfast with newly made train friends. One of them guides us over to Lou Mitchell's, a well known restaurant in the foodie community. This place is packed! We manage to squeeze through the hungry crowd and find a place to sit elbow to elbow with other hungry patrons. The food selection is huge and the breakfast is particularly delicious.
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Walking to Millennium Park
We part ways with our train friends and one of them suggests we check out Millennium Park. It sounds awesome and we have 2 hours until our transfer so we start walking. As we cross over the river I notice this odd cluster of what appears to be telephone polls chained together. I'm sure it serves a purpose but I am more interested in it's artistic value. What does it all mean!?
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Budding Leaves
Spring is in full swing. Every breath invigorates the body. A tree is sprouting bright green leaves.
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Park Closed!
Dissapointingly most of the park is closed in preperation for the NFL drafts. However; after walking for a few minutes longer we do manage to find a beautiful patch of grass that is not blocked off.
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We Meet Again!
On our way back to the train we bump into one of our friends from earlier. Before heading into the station I ask him to pose under the awesome city skyline.
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New Faces
The train is a bit full upon departing Chicago. Time to make new friends!
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Dinner on a Train
The gentleman taking the photograph out the window is traveling across America asking people to pray for our country. The gentleman on the right is an independant astronomer and helps astrological data and provides his own observations to the scientific community. He even identified some of the stars in one of my night sky photographs!
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Cabin Fever
The land is flat out here, real flat. It's been almost 2 full days since we left Philladelphia and I am ready to get off.
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Denver Station
It's cloudy and rainy and the train seems to avoid any interesting parts of Denver. Let the colors of the image reflect my mood.
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Mountains!
Yes! After a solid day of flat land we hit the Rockies! The mood of the passangers noticably lifts. We all pile into the observation car and enjoy the view.
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Moffat Tunnel
The train plunges into the mountainside. Things get very dark as we pass through Moffat Tunnel, a 6.2 mile long passage that cuts straight through the continental divide.
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Winter Park
Shortly after passing through 6 miles of pitch black tunnel we come to a stop in Winter Park Colorado. The air is very thin up here . Fun fact, Winter Park is the highest incorporated town in the United States! The town is also home to the Winter Park Ski Resort, which consists of 3,000 miles of world class ski terrain.
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Land of Giants
Giant bears once roamed the West. When the last ice age hit they went into a deep hibernation and never woke up. There bodies become rock and formed these mountains.
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The Conductor
Our conductor meets with travelers in the observation car to share the history of this mountain pass which marks the border between Utah and Colorado. We pass a cliff with small foot holds cut into the rock. Climbing this ancient stairway was once used as a Native American initiation to man hood.
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Among the Glowing Platue
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Somewhere in Between the Dark and the Light a Rainbow is Born
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Two and a Half Days on a Train
Too many days on a train will wear on ones sanity. Peering through the dark outside we see glowing lights beaming down the interstate. We are so close to Salt Lake City, So close. I am ready to touch my feet on solid ground. I am ready to breath desert air.
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The Grand American Hotel
We are here! We are in Salt Lake City, Utah! Taking a step onto the balcony of our hotel I take a deep breath in. Across the way is a hotel that we could not afford; The Grand American Hotel.
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Abstracted Architecture
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Hitting the Road
After shopping for provisions in town, spices, produce, meat and liqour, we are now on our way to Southern Utah!
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The First Storm
We are riding quickly towards Goblin Valley. A fierce storm blows across the dry prairie and supplies us with foreshadowing of the many storms to come. Yes, expect to see more stormy skies in this gallery.
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There She Blows!
Sailing across the red sea of sand we arrive at the port of Goblin Valley, The tale of a sand whale breeches the surface of the dusty waves.
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Goblin's Garden
Walking the trail that leads into the valley we pass by a patch of wildflowers. I imagine that perhaps the goblins planted them here.
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Citizens of the Valley
Goblin Valley is inhabited by an incredible array of anthropomorphic stone formations. They seem to be in motion going about their busy lives in the valley. Sadly we have little time to converse with the inhabitants of the valley. We hear thunder approaching.
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Run for Cover
With the accuracy of a guided misile another storm speeds across the sky heading straight for Goblin Valley. Flash flooding is a real concern in these parts and being a low lying valley is exactly where you do not want to be. We jump in the car and seek a safe haven.
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One Room School House
Not the first structure one would expect to see in a canyon pass.
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Awe Inspiring
Every time we pass over a mountian we leave behind one incredible scene only to be greated by another incredible scene on the other side. This statement accurately describes the entire drive in Southern Utah.
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First Rule of Road Trips
Be cool and carry a map. The map part of this rule is pretty straight forward but stay cool can mean many things. It means let the road lead you where it will, release your expectations and you will be able to travel with open eyes and an open heart. Traveling this way ensures you will appreciate the true beauty of the land. It also means bring plenty of water and sun protection while journeying across the desert.
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Siesmic Rock
Huge black boulders gather like a herds of beasts across the landscape. These black stones are remnants of ancient volcanic activity.
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I can see for miles and miles and miles.
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Grand Staircase-Escalante
The name Grand Staircase comes from the thousands of layers of sediment and prehistoric history that are on display in this geologic history book.
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Keep Your Eyes on the Road
It's not as easy as it sounds. The view to both the left and right are insane! I wonder how many people almost drive off this cliff while they are distracted in jaw dropped wonder at the view. You can put me on that list of people.
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Red Sands
We drive 40 miles down a dirt road in Grand-Staircase Escalante. The only signs of civilization are the occasional cattle. Many of Utah's natural wonders are not easily accessible. The State likes to keep it this way to avoid vandals.
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Basking Lizard
A Side Blotched lizard gathers heat from the morning sun.
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Prickly Pear in Bloom
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