The rail-seasoned traveler passes through Colorado. Been there, done that.

I woke up in the least interesting corner of Colorado, aboard thewestbound CaliforniaZephyr paralleling Interstate76. As what always happens, my nose is clogged up from theAC.

At breakfast the view of the coming sunrise was pleasant but thetopic of conversation between my communal table-mates leftsomething to be desired. Blah, blah, blah. The corned beef hashtook me aback in presentation, wearing a cap of scrambled eggs.The dish was certainly moist, but I longed for crispness on thehash. The wedges of skin-on potatoes were the star attraction anda decided improvement from breakfasts I've been served in thepast.

Having rode the Zephyr enough times, the stop in Denver and theride up the FrontRange was fairly textbook and on time. But I do dig mountaintunnels, and enjoyed our passage through the many encountered alongthe way culminating with the six mile Moffat Tunnel.

I've taken enough pics of the scenery through Colorado to not beterribly interested in doing so on this occasion, but still Isnapped a few photos along the way [see blog posts: Part 1 andPart 2].

Lunch somewhere between Granbyand Glenwood Springs was par for the course. As I have done so inthe past I ordered a black bean burger with cheese and bacon, butsomewhere in translation I ended up with an Angus patty instead.Likely the interesting combo of fake and flesh must have perplexedsome hard-working chef's mind.

An opportunity for a breath of fresh air at GlenwoodSprings was a little sewagey, but more likely theout-gassing of sulphur from a nearby hot springs.

I thought to skip another delightful communal dining experiencethat evening in favor of something from the snack shop in GrandJunction, but upon arrival I forgot how utterly dumpy andinadequate the little shop in the station was.

Dinner companions were truly abysmal. The ride was bumpy enoughto make any food photography impossible. Just as well, Amtrak'stoken vegetarian pasta dish tends to be their weakest point. Theside of vegetables tend to be the most interesting thing on theplate. I skipped dessert to get away from these insular,conservative, privileged, white bread WASPs as quickly aspossible. Just because I'm wearing a Flash t-shirt does neither make me a "comiconer" nor a "gamer."

I tucked into the comforting confines of my roomette for thenight and slept right through the overnight pit stop in Salt LakeCity, and on well past Elko, Nevada.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Labor Day Trip 2012