Fantasizing about the Southwest again... It's tme for another trip through the Mesas! [View all]

Last year at the end of August, I did something I'd never done. Set out on a LONE roadtrip across four states and saw the Grand Canyon. It was life changing. I'd never been anywhere outside of CA and to see the different landscape and everything was so amazing.

As this fall beging to creep in, I am once again longing for a romp in the desert.

My son is moving back to Durango, CO and I am hoping to use it as an excuse to go visit and play some more in places I missed last time. I was thinking of taking the train from Sacramento to Albuquerque, then driving up to Durango...then either to Denver or Salt Lake and taking the train back into Reno.

I hate flying, so it's really not an option. My mom had always talked about here early years on trains, and so I don't have to drive the entire way I figured it was a good compromise.
Since Mom's Bday is Oct 2, I figured it would be a nice way to wish her a happy bday in heaven as well.

Anyone have any recent experience with the Train out west?
I've already got a list of places to look for but any cool reccs are always appreciated.
Pretty sure I'm not gonna drive through Santa Fe, just north up to Durango...then If I go over to Denver I was gonna try and see Pike's Peak...