The first place where we stopped today where I was able to get off the train was in La Junta, CO. I had actually been on this train before and this was one of the places we got off when I was 15 and in Boy Scouts. From this stop we went on to Colorado Springs and toured the Air Force Academy.
Back on the train, the day pretty much slogged along as I got chances few and far between to get off the train. I would make stints in my seat in coach then move to the observation car, then to the dining car for meals and back and forth all day. In between were "Fresh Air Breaks" at Raton, NM, Albequerque, NM, and Flagstaff, AZ.
For dinner tonight I decided to actually have a real dinner in the dining car instead of something instant from the snack and beverage car. I had to actually put in a reservation with one of the conductors to reserve a time. Once I got there they tried to sit as many people together, so I wound up sitting with this extremely nice couple named Darryl and Annette from Albequerque who were just starting a month long trip around the US. They were visiting family along the way but were taking the train to do it. They had sleeper cars though so it was probably a lot nicer and comfortable than I had seen over the last 3 days. They were extremely interested in the hike and my trip as well asking me many questions. Darryl had apparently grown up in Victorville which is basically in the Mojave desert so he related to my concerns about the heat and water sources. As they were leaving they asked my permission if it was all right for them to pray for me. I don't think anyone has ever asked me that before and it was an incredibly humbling experience. Having finished dinner we wished eachother well and I went back to my room hopping between train cars.
After out short stop in Flagstaff I decided to try to call it a night early. I knew maneuvering my way around LA tomorrow would not be simple and I needed some rest. Tomorrow: California.
Patch
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