While visiting southern Colorado, I get to see this every single day – two or four, three or six, four or eight times a day.

My friend’s house where we are staying is right beside the tracks. It offers an upclose experience of the Durango&Silverton train. I get to hear, feel and smell the heavy polished-black (steam or diesel-powered) engine chugging along its narrow gauge tracks, and see the smiling faces of passengers as they travel over trestles, bridges, rivers, and through some of the best scenery that Colorado has to offer.

Since our first visit two years ago, I have made it my job to wave as the train passes by. Sometimes I get lazy and tell myself, up and almost to the last possible moment, “This is stupid. I’m not going to do it .” But, most of the time I end up running to see the train and begin waving. That’s when the magic begins.

My smile starts small then explodes to an out and out full teeth-showing grin that you will likely not see in any photo of me. I wave these bat-winged arms with all my might, and the game begins.

How many can “I get” today? How many will wave back to the older lady waving like her life depends on it? And sometimes, when I catch a glimpse of woman in her big straw hat or a man in his gray hoodie, I swear I can feel our connection.

In that loud, earth-shaking-beneath-my-feet moment, I imagine their excitement in beginning their trip up the San Juan mountains, or on the return route, maybe their reflections (or relief) as their train trip nears its end.

I’m telling you, there is nothing like it. It is a shot of joy rushing through my veins like a cold beer to some or a baby’s smile to others.

After the caboose brings up the rear and I go back inside, the magical feeling of connecting with people having fun lingers like an (almost) rocky mountain high for a good five minutes. It is the best feeling! It is the best medicine! And I get to take it two or four, three or six, or sometimes four or eight times a day.

BACKGROUND INFO: Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. Visit for more information.