Gallup NM

Had breakfast with a gentleman who was taking his girlfriend to Albuquerque NM for lunch. Really. They boarded in LA last night, would get off in Albuquerque, have lunch, and 4 hours later board the return train to LA. Too funny. He was an engineer for Amtrak for 12 years and ran trains all over the US. I guess taking a girlfriend on a date via train seems perfectly logical to him. His girlfriend didn't seem to see anything unusual about it.

Arrived at Gallup NM at 8:50 am - about 30 minutes late. Weather was beautiful. Linda Torgler met us at the train station with our rental car and we were headed north by 9:30. Lots of road construction so speed limits were reduced for most of the drive and it seemed to take forever to get to Cortez. Stopped for lunch in Cortez in the midst of a thunderstorm, then drove up the mountain to Mesa Verde and arrived at Far View Lodge at 2:30. Sun was shining so we drove to Cliff Palace--it's as fascinating as ever. Stopped at several overlooks then returned for dinner at Far View Lodge. Will try the other restaurant tomorrow. Driving rain when we left the restaurant. Weather changes by the minute here.

Ready

Boarded train at Fullerton at 7:00 pm. Had dinner with a couple in their 70's who were just completing a 14-week round-the-world trip with no air travel--just trains and boats. They were an amazing couple. After dinner, asked to have the beds made up and went right to sleep.