The Train to Christmas Town

All of my life I've wanted to take a ride on a train. Not a subway, not a light or monorail, but a real passenger train. I even put it on my bucket list. When my husband, Don, entered a drawing a couple of weeks back for a trip on Alamosa, Colorado's Christmas train, I never dreamed he'd win...but win he did. And yesterday was the big day.

I didn't know what to expect, but as it turns out, the train is an original from way back when the railroads were making their mark in Colorado. The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is kind of a big to do and it was our pleasure last night to take a ride on one of their trains.  Our tickets were in the observation car with tables and beautiful windows, that if we had been traveling in the light of day, would have yielded magnificent view of the beautiful Rocky Mountains that surround the San Luis Valley.

As we boarded the train, a light snow began to fall. Everything about this reminded me of a scene from White Christmas. Remember when the group sat up in the car and drank coffee and malteds and sang "Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow", but there was no snow?  It was like that except we had snickerdoodles, the best hot cocoa ever and SNOW!

We sat across the table from a young man and woman, Jeff and Darcey. Darcey lives and works in Alamosa and Jeff is currently living in Leadville. They were delightful and made the trip even more enjoyable with their tales of growing up in Colorado and giving up little tidbits of what their lives look like today. They were the perfect table-mates for us visitors from the other side of the state.

The Train to Christmas Town is a children's book that comes to life aboard the train with elves, woodland creatures and, in our case, an elfin Santa. He was a jolly old soul, slight in height, and perfect for the part. Even though this trip is specially made for children, this old lady and her hubby loved every minute of it.

If you ever get the chance, make the journey yourself. You won't regret it for a minute. It certainly made my holiday season and memorable one. TrainToChristmas.com.

Meet Jeff and Darcey

Don and I had a blast!

Jeff and Darcey watching as Santa comes into our car!

Don gives Santa his Christmas wish

View of the front of the car from our seat

Don got a rise out of this kitty when he told him we'd just given away two litters!

Hot cocoa, anyone?

This guy's name is Bumblebee

Smile for the camera!

You Gotta See This Place!

On one of our many excursions to Canon City, Colorado, Don and I took a stroll through Historic Downtown. We came upon the Marketplace Shops and fell in love! We've done some shopping there and met a few of the vendors.. The shop is in fact 45 shops (at last count) under the same roof. Arts, crafts, antiques, vintage, cowboy furniture, cookware, books, tea, cookies, holiday items, rustic...you name it! I LOVE THIS PLACE! Don even entered a drawing for a ride on the Alamosa Christmas Train and won! (And that will be a story we shall share soon as we take the trip tomorrow.)

If you find yourself in Canon City and want a unique shopping experience, or simply have a little time to kill, drop by the Marketplace Shops in beautiful Historic Downtown right on Main Street. (PHOTOS BELOW FROM GOOGLE IMAGES.)



marketplacecanon.com/‎

THE BOOK IS OUT!!!

Iron Fists In Satin Gloves: Book Two in the Miners' Cut Mystery Series
Authored by H. W. Peterson

List Price: $15.25

6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
Black & White Bleed on White paper
438 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1494722456 (CreateSpace-Assigned)
ISBN-10: 1494722453
BISAC: Fiction / Historical

Book Two in the continuing saga of three fictional families in Victorian age Ouray, Colorado. When local rancher, Simon Archer, fails to return from a business trip, the small community rallies in support of his wife, Susan. Unexpected news surfaces, which moves the search into the Arizona Territory.

Newcomers Washie and Alfred Somers, owners of The Miner's Cove Cafe, become involved as the town seeks understanding when all seems illogical and dangerous.

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4577843 

 

 

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY ON CREATESPACE.COM. AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK ON AMAZON AND KINDLE. Createspace.com also makes available books for libraries.

I Can't Believe It's Been So Long....

First and foremost, please forgive me for not posting in such a long time. It's been quite a ride since October. As most of you know, I had foot surgery the last week in July. Well, just as things were about to be "normal", I broke my foot again when I tripped over the hearth (and yes, it is big...and yes, I saw it....I'm just clumsy!!!). Then I went back in the boot (Yawn!) for a few weeks. I came out of the boot around Thanksgiving. About a week later I was scrounging around in the refrigerator and a pop can fell out and landed on one of my toes on the BAD FOOT (of course, it wouldn't be the other one) and broke it! I MEAN....SERIOUSLY!  Can I get a break/!?!?!?!? Obviously, I can! Over and over again! LOL!

The BOOK IS FINISHED...and will be out this week on Amazon.com. I apologize for the lateness of it. I just haven't been able to get moving (LOL) (Another foot reference.) The book is entitled "Iron Fists in Satin Gloves" and is the continuing saga of "whatever happened to Simon Archer". You will meet some new characters, renew relationships with old ones and grow to love Reginald O'Keefe even more than you did in the first offering.

 I also have a short story that will be published as well.  It is entitled "The Christmas Chair of Remembrance" and is an offering to our Cherokee lineage, while maintaining the Wright family of the Miners' Cut Mystery series.

Thanks for your patience with me as I try to keep from breaking any more bones. getting old is a PAIN!