Been there, done that.  The first event of the train trip came less than 15 minutes out of the station – delay for maintenance workers to get out of the way.  Been there, done that.  I am used to train delays for maintenance, passenger train delays for the freight trains (who own the railway) and delays to change crews when crews have been on the rails longer than the union allows (due to aforementioned delays).  A mere three years ago this would have been a new and unique experience for me.  Since that time I have made several rail trips from Denver to GJ, GJ to Denver, GJ to Glenwood Springs.  Even with the delays, I continue to enjoy train rides.  Trains have plenty of legroom, luggage storage, and big windows.  The overwhelming plus for train rides is the freedom from driving.  This freedom; to write, daydream, think, crane my neck, be an armchair traveler and really reach the destination; is huge.

Ruby Canyon- I have not been here or done this before.  In his best tour guide voice the conductor tells us we will be following the Colorado River for the duration of our ride from GJT to SLC today.  The Colorado River ends just 40 miles short of the Pacific Ocean after providing showers and filling swimming pools for the populace of Southern California and trickling into Mexico.  Ruby Canyon is aptly named.  Red rocks flank the Colorado River and make this evening trip well worth the effort.  We pass at least three different groups of river rafters who have made camp for the night on the opposite banks.  Some totally ignore us.  One group waves; but none of the groups have any sense of obnoxious tradition, thus disappointing a group of 40 something, female sight-seers from Chicago and points further East.