Around the World in 80 Days

Day 66: 29 November

Back to my seat and doze a little. The mother of the Colorado couple sings to her daughter, in a soft and lilting voice. 'Freight Train', 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home', and others. The combination of this gentle voice and the wide empty country by the winding river is enchanting.

The PA system has become a staff intercom as well as a passenger information service this afternoon. 'Get your cameras ready for some truly great photos' is followed abruptly by a breathless shout of 'Earl, come to the dining car. We need you bad!'

At a quarter to four we reach Glenwood Springs. Elevation 5600 feet. I must take a decision. However short of time I am, I cannot go through the Rockies without a pause to look around. To travel and see nothing is my complaint about aeroplanes, and I can feel myself falling into the same trap. I alight here for a detour which I hope I can afford.

Whilst there's some light left I take a dip in the Glenwood Hot Springs - geothermal waters that soothed the Ute Indians a hundred years ago and beyond. Today they're part of a busy health spa peppered with notices - rules and signs and health warnings in thorough but bewildering American style. The waters, at 104 degrees Fahrenheit, are in the open air, which is currently 35 degrees Fahrenheit. My body quite enjoys this schizophrenic experience. Passepartout sets up on the side of the pool to witness my immersion, but the cloud of steam is so dense that the camera can't find me.

Previous page | Next page

Choose another day from Around the World in 80 Days

Top of page

PALIN'S GUIDES

Series: Around the World in 80 Days
Day: 66
Date: 29 November
Country/sea: USA
Place: Glenwood Springs - Colorado
Book page no: 214

Bookmarks will keep your place in one or more series. But you'll need to register and/or log in.

Set bookmark

ROUTE MAPS

Los Angeles - Aspen

Around the World in 80 Days

Day 66: 29 November

PALIN'S GUIDES

RELATED LINKS

ROUTE MAPS