- Bill Magee was able to join us for the now-rare mileage.
- We got to see the "high dessert" in Wyoming.
- We went through Weber Canyon.
- Saw construction of the FrontRunner stations between South Ogden and downtown SLC.
- Saw construction of the TRAX extension near the SLC station.
- Walked through the new SLC Intermodal Transportation Center, and saw the plans for its expansion once Amtrak and FrontRunner officially begin using the new building.
- That other thing we did in SLC that we can't talk about... what happened in Salt Lake stays in Salt Lake.
- Arrived at our westbound destination, Emeryville, CA about 35 minutes EARLY.
- Received a special treat... around Greeley we passed by a UP tourist train with the Challenger steam engine on the point.
- Got to walk around Denver on the return trip.
- We were so early into Denver that I personally took a short spin on the RTD E light rail line, to 10th & Osage station and back.
Negatives:
- Missed Moffat Tunnel, the heart of the Rockies, and run along the Colorado River.
- Amshack in Salt Lake City was still closed upon our arrival; it does not open until the train is supposed to get there.