Life According to Kiera: Colorado Bound

Written by Rowonna McNeely – We are tired! We were blessed to be able to take a family vacation to Colorado this last weekend. It was a great trip, full of crazy fun and crazy times. We left on Thursday and made it to Durango, Colorado on Friday evening.

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early and headed down to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train Station. Kiera was beyond excited but also terrified that we were going to miss our train. After reassuring her that we had plenty of time, we made our way to the train museum to learn more about the Durango Silverton Train. Kiera, who had watched her cousin’s DVD about the history of the train, was a fount of knowledge as we walked around.

Finally, it was almost time to board the train. I convinced Kiera that we really should stop by the bathroom before boarding. Actually, I didn’t so much convince her as I dragged Brakeman Mark into the conversation. He assured Kiera that there was plenty of time for us to go to the bathroom in the station before boarding our train car.

Once loaded and instructed on safety, concessions and other important details our train pulled out of the station. At first, we felt like we were in a parade as we passed through town. People lined the streets and waved as the train passed by them.

Because I had bought the tickets so late, Aaron’s seats and mine were split. Thankfully, we were basically back-to-back of the other. When we began to make our way into the less settled areas, Kiera came and sat in my lap. My seatmate turned and introduced himself to us. “My name is John,” He said. “But my friends call me Otis.”

Otis, who we later found out was from Iowa, quickly became one of Kiera’s favorites. She asked him to play I Spy with us and he readily agreed. He even went to the concessions and bought her a box of Cracker Jacks. 

It was an amazing journey up to Silverton and back down to Durango. The temperature stayed around the 50’s as we trekked up in the mountain. There was so much beauty, it was hard to take it all in. On the ride back down the mountain, Kiera would randomly ask Brakeman Mark questions and he so patiently answered them. He even picked up a piece of coal during one of our train stops and gave it to her.

Sunday morning, we headed back to Texas. We pulled into Canyon, Texas around 7 that evening. We were scheduled to see the TEXAS Outdoor Musical that evening at 8:30. Making our way down into Palo Duro Canyon for the show, we were once again awestruck by the beauty that surrounded us. Kiera piped up from the back seat, “Are we at the Grand Canyon?” she asked.

After parking and making our way to the outdoor amphitheater, we handed over our tickets to the greeter. Kiera saw several of the actors/actresses walking by. “Can I go tell them good luck?” She asked as she bounced up and down. I nodded my consent and she ran after them.

The greeter glanced from Kiera to us with a smile, “Does she know them?” She asked.

“No.” Aaron responded. “She just loves all things theater.”

Kiera sat on the edge of her seat throughout most of the musical. Before the second half started, it began to rain. We had packed for the rain, just in case, and pulled Kiera’s rain jacket out of our backpack.

The second half of the show, Aaron, Kiera and I huddled under an umbrella as the amazing actors and actresses continued to act, dance and sing as the rain came down on all of us. It was amazing and as they sang “America the Beautiful” I could not have been more proud to be from Texas or America.

Our little theater bug was in heaven. Even during the rain, she sat and watched, not complaining once as she watched the activity around her.  Once it was over, Aaron and I were tempted to head straight for the parking lot. Kiera was not having any of that. She pulled me a long until we reached several of the cast members.

“Thank you. It was very good.” She told each of them as she shook hands or high-fived them. One of the cast members leaned down to Kiera’s level and asked, “What was your favorite part?”

Kiera smiled really big before answering, “All of it!”

I have tons of quotes and stories to regale you with, but for now, I am going to sign off and save them for next week.

I do want to send a few special shouts. To the town of Durango and the staff of the Durango Silverton Train thank you for being so friendly! We will be back! To Brakeman Mark, thank you for taking the time to answer Kiera’s questions and taking a picture with her. To Otis, thanks for spending time with our little girl and keeping her informed and entertained. Also, I want to say thank you to the cast and staff of TEXAS. Thank you for keeping an amazing tradition alive and thank you for continuing to give your all as the rain came down.