Tags: AAA Four Diamond , Arkansas River , Cañon City , Cheyenne Mountain Resort , Christmas , Claus

Tags: AAA Four Diamond , Arkansas River , Cañon City , Cheyenne Mountain Resort , Christmas , Claus , Colorado Springs , Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad , elves , hot cocoa , lights , North Pole , railroad , Royal Gorge Route Railroad , Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer , Saint Nicholas , Santa , Santa Express , Shelly Steig , train , Vista Dome
As the Royal Gorge Route Railroad's disney village hotels Santa Express pulls up to the North Pole, children press their faces against the windows and a quiet hush sweeps through the Vista Dome car. Thousands of bright lights outline the village's colorful gingerbread-style buildings, twinkling in the moonlight. This is only my granddaughter's second Christmas, and I wonder if she might be too young to appreciate the magic of the moment. The thought passes through my mind that perhaps I am too old to be enchanted by the lights, the music … and the moment. Both concerns slip away as she and I join the other children disney village hotels peering through the glass, watching as Saint Nicholas climbs onto the train.
Anticipation has been building for this moment since families pour out of their automobiles in the parking lot. My son, Jesse, daughter-in-law, Lori, little Danni and I arrive at the station in Canon City, early. We watch as red-cheeked children, dressed disney village hotels in holiday pajamas, skip to the depot squealing in anticipation. When the all-aboard sounds, the PJ-clad kids clamor up the steps. Swags of tinsel draped with lights decorate the Vista Dome car and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" plays over the speakers. Wait staff hand out steaming cups of hot cocoa to help warm chilly hands. We ordered our dinner of bison burgers ahead of time, and eat while the train chugs along on the first leg of the 90-minute round trip. The family behind us plays I Spy, while Danni colors a picture of Santa and his elves.
When the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad started passenger service in the late-1800s the route was dubbed the "Scenic Line of the World" for good reason. The railroad follows 12 miles of track through the snow-scattered and steep-sided gorge, and parallels the bubbling and churning Arkansas River. Igneous rocks tower above, disney village hotels and at one point the canyon narrows to only 30 feet. Ingenious engineers suspended the famous "Hanging Bridge" over the river along the North side in this slim section. It's a memorable transport into the season, coupling a child-like fascination of trains with the pure exuberance of Christmas.
On the return leg, children disney village hotels cuddle in Santa's lap in the beautifully renovated and decorated vintage cars, sharing their wish lists. Our wait staff, who has changed into elf costumes, hand out warm cookies and more cocoa. By the time we arrive back to the depot, little disney village hotels Danni is happily worn out. We choose to spend the night at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, a family friendly, AAA Four Diamond property, rather than drive the long two hours home with a very tired toddler. We bundle the sweet girl, already dressed for sleep, into her bed. I'm hoping we all dream of sugar plums and Father Christmas, and I realize disney village hotels as I doze off that no one is ever be too young or too old for the Santa Express.
Tags: AAA Four Diamond , Arkansas River , Cañon City , Cheyenne Mountain Resort , Christmas , Claus , Colorado Springs , Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad , elves , hot cocoa , lights disney village hotels , North Pole , railroad , Royal Gorge Route Railroad , Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer , Saint Nicholas , Santa , Santa Express , Shelly Steig , train , Vista Dome