Amtrak Archives - Nine Years in Norway

A few hours in Denver

September 1, 2015 by Cindi 8 Comments

I saw several new places while visiting Colorado in June, and enjoyed a couple of them quite a bit. And another favorite activity happened the day I left: I walked around the Union Station area of Denver for hours before my Amtrak train trip back to Ottumwa.

I live in such a remote area of Norway, it was nice to soak up the sounds and activity of a busy metropolitan city!

After dropping off my luggage at the Amtrak counter …

… and a 30 minutes stroll around the streets in front of Union Station, I decided it was time to sit outside with a bit of refreshment and absorb the sounds of the area. The Thirsty Lion suited that need quite well.

Refreshed, I headed out for a larger loop around the area. Even with only a few blocks of this busy city being explored, I saw plenty of planning that makes nature accessible, from walking paths using railroad bridges over the South Platte River …

… to a section of the 17.8 mile South Platte River Trail …

… to sculptures and greenery that add interest to the scenery …

There were historical buildings, shops and streets …

… and signs that require no additional comment 😉 …

… and finally, a stroll to Coors Field. It was so quiet, almost eerily so. In the quiet, the remembered sounds of the crack of a bat and a crowds’ roar echoed — the result of so many memories of baseball games seen at Wrigley Field, Citi Field, Turner Field Citizen Bank Park, and Camden Yards!

The weather was threatening all day (in fact, it rained so much that night my daughter’s basement flooded), and I stayed within a few blocks of Union Station and its protection from the elements. Through my loops through the area, the inside of Union Station was my place to sit, grab a cup of coffee, people watch, admire the architecture …

… and then go out and explore a little more.

All of this was with the faint backdrop of the Rocky Mountains blending with the cloudy sky of this Mile High city.

And then it was time to go out and wait for the arrival of my train back to Ottumwa. Standing on the platform, I admired the curves of the outside architecture one more time …

It was a wonderful way to say goodbye to Colorado … and I’ll be seeing it again soon! Details to come. 🙂

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

June 11, 2015 by Cindi 12 Comments

“Planes, Trains & Automobiles!” No, not the movie … but a pretty good description of my last month!

A plane flight from Norway to Iowa (with my luggage catching up with me three days later).

A short lunch train trip in historic Boone, Iowa.

May 20, 2015 - planes, trains & automobiles

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A longer overnight Amtrak train trip through Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado.

Ottumwa, Iowa train station

An Iowa sunset

Hello, Omaha!

Nebraska farming

Somewhere in eastern Colorado

Pulling into Denver; lots of rain has made the rivers a little treacherous!

Colorado Rockies stadium!

And many automobile trips, both local and long distance. This collection shares the highlights of my first few (cloudy) days in Colorado.

Union Station in Denver

Arriving in Colorado Springs!

The Air Force Academy

Pikes Peak

Looking back at the foothills in my daughter’s side view mirror

I love taking in the scenery around me. But the best part of this trip is, of course, the family connections — especially time spent with these three!

Hello blogosphere!

May 31, 2015 by Cindi 21 Comments

It’s been a busy month since I’ve last connected with you, with work and then travel to the middle of the U.S. to visit family.

Yes, I’m back in Ottumwa. I’ve enjoyed time with family (especially celebrating my Dad’s 85th!), seeing a few sights (including a musical in Des Moines and a day trip to Boone, Iowa to ride an historic train), a trip to Illinois to visit my younger brother and his family (Aunt Cindi was tired playing with her young nieces and nephew!), a stop at a wonderful restaurant on the trip back to Iowa that honors the American farmer (The Machine Shed), and time spent enjoying my brother and sister-in-law’s hospitality here in Iowa (including a gorgeous and intense double rainbow).

And in a few days I’ll be traveling via Amtrak to a new part of the world for me — Colorado Springs to see my daughters!

Fun, fun, fun!! Here’s a few photos of my time so far. I’m sure more images will find their way to this little part of the blogosphere eventually … until then, I hope your part of the world is peaceful and full of contentment!

May 14, 2015 – Goodbye Bergen; it was a glorious day to take off and fly over you!

May 16, 2015 – The Lion King on stage in Des Moines. Fantastic!

May 20, 2015 – Lunch aboard The Scenic Line in Boone, Iowa. History and great views!

May 21, 2015 – Not a bad place to enjoy my morning coffee before beginning the work day. (There are a lot of advantages to working from home — no matter where you call home!)