2 mile high

Leadville is proud of being two miles high in elevation, often comparing itself to the better known mile high city of Denver. Today we took a train ride on the restored Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad. Climbing to 11,152′, the air was thin, the views magnificent, and the pleasure of our company a joyous time.

The ride was 2 1/2 hours, first pushed forward then pulled back by the engine. We chose an open car, riding along with “sunshine on our shoulders making us happy”.

Lyrics from the Weepies came to mind:

“All this beauty, you might have to close your eyes, and slowly open wide.”

And John Denver’s words:

“Colorado rocky mountain high
I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky mountain high.”

This was a surprisingly entertaining adventure, helped enormously along by our legendary senses of humor.

After dinner….

driving the road home we were gifted with this sight,

The day drew to a close with lovely reflections both seen and spoken.

From W.S. Merwin’s poem Thanks

“Listen
with the night falling we are saying thank you
we are stopping on the bridges to bow from the railings
we are running out of the glass rooms
with our mouths full of food to look at the sky
and say thank you
we are standing by the water thanking it
standing by the windows looking out
in our directions…”