Part of the folklore of the Wild West revolves around the introduction of the rail system connecting the civilized cities of the east bringing necessities to the barren and rustic western states. Today the railway is not the main transport system here in Colorado Springs, yet it is still a valuable resource for moving large quantities of merchandise such as coal and military vehicles.
On a lazy afternoon when trying to find something interesting and affordable to do around the Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak area, why not take a drive up to Palmer Lake and see if the afternoon coal train from Denver is headed your way. Palmer Lake is nestled against the foothills and right through the center of this small community weaves the tracks. Not many places allow one to get up close and personal with the trains and the park in town allows kids to experience the sights and sounds from a safe distance.
Just north of town is a great place to pull off the road and get an up close view as the engine peeks from around the bend. The conductor will thrill any child with a blast of his whistle and wave as he goes by. The smaller 2 track system allows for a more interactive adventure and the background scenery of the foothills adds a magical appeal only experienced here in the west.
One of the joys of helping people relocate to our area is providing a list of various activities that they might enjoy and might not know are available, especially those looking for the affordable interesting adventures around the Pikes Peak region. In the near future I'll introduce one of the areas best kept secrets for mountain biking and hiking that is just a short jaunt from Palmer Lake, with no entrance fee, easy parking, and easy trails.
