Truckee Train Trip Day 6

[olivermoss]

At this point in the trip it really hit me how long I am gone for, which is weird because I was just back from what was one of the biggest trips I'd ever taken. I'd almost panic booked this trip when I realized that two of my dream trips might be about to become impossible, but if I hustled I could kinda sorta do one. I’d wanted to do this trip in late fall and also stop in Colorado, but eh, going through Donner Pass later than intended, what could go wrong? Also, my tickets for the long portion of the trip were stunningly cheap. It’s almost like most people wouldn’t do this trip this time of the year.

I hiked part of the legacy trail along the river, basically until it become snow and ice. (This trail was one of the ones I was asking about doing this time of year at the info center, where the lady literally pushed a map of Tahoe in my hands.)

I checked out of Gravity Haus, but I still had access to the lobby, co-working space and other amenities for the full day, so no having to kill time with my bags before my train. This is highly unusual in my experience and very nice. I wrote out my trip notes sitting in the co-working space while the puppy of another guest kept coming to sniff my boots.

Then, I walked back into town:



On the way I decided to stop into a little coffee shop and I am very glad I did. It was in the basement of a historic building, had lots of local art, and they were roasting and grinding beans on site. I got an oat milk latte.



And the art for sale included stickers by a local artist:


After the previous day it felt good to throw money at a local artist making these designs. I wish there were skiing ones as well as snowboarding, but oh well.

I used some of the stickers in my travel journal layouts that I still need to finish writing:



That stop off for coffee had me feeling much better.

I wanted to take a picture of the train as it approached, but it was running about an hour late and I just assumed I'd hear it coming. I did not:



It is still in motion in that shot, but I was looking to shoot it on the curve coming into town. In my defense, that train should have honked it's horn coming up on those curves and it did not.

Comments

[mistressofmuses]

I'm glad you got to hike at least a bit of it. Snow and ice: along with mud, the bane of my desire to hike at all for a chunk of the year.

What a cute cafe! I love the stickers! I'm very glad you stopped in.

The pictures from the train are great. Love the colors in the second to last one, and the sense of motion in the final one.

[olivermoss]

Mud I can handle. I'm from Oregon, land of mud and moss. I didn't have the gear to table snow and ice, though.

I am really, really glad I stopped at that cafe. I felt so much better.

Thanks!

[mistressofmuses]

At least with mud, the worst is usually that you have to deal with a mess. (I know it CAN be slippery/treacherous, and there's always the chance to fall wrong, but *usually* it's not actually inherently dangerous.) Snow and ice can Ruin Your Day if you step wrong. Plus being that cold is just miserable.

Very glad you found the cafe!

[olivermoss]

Mud can make you painfully aware of muscles in your hips that you previously didn't know existed!

[mistressofmuses]

This is true!

I do have vivid recollections of winding up with about five pounds of mud attached to each shoe on a couple hikes. Some people pay for weights to attach to their ankles, or for resistance bands to pull against. Why do that when you can simply experience The Mud??

[walgesang]

I've been trying to get caught up with the train trip as long train rides are something I've always wanted to do but have hesitated since I also have major food allergies. Gorgeous pics!

[olivermoss]

I always travel with food. My Alaska trip planning took a lot to make that work, food-wise. It takes some work, but if you can figure out some travel food that works for you, and also little treats so you don't feel like you are missing out, it actually makes travel a lot cheaper than if you're eating out.

Thanks!