Travel Story 4 by Jain

Reno to Glenwood Springs All Aboard Story

Friday November 27^th

We had an entire day to soak in the charm of Glenwood Springs. The town exudes a laid-back, welcoming vibe, blending historic character with modern comforts. Nestled among dramatic canyon walls, lush forests, and snow-capped peaks, it’s a stunning year-round destination, and looks like it could be straight out of a postcard. Since it was Thanksgiving week, you would think the town would be bustling, but it isn’t… no snow here yet.

 

Glenwood Springs is famous for its geothermal hot springs, including the Iron Mountain Hot Springs and the iconic Glenwood Hot Springs Pool which is about 2 blocks long!  The town is known for its mineral-rich waters that promise relaxation and rejuvenation.  We passed on soaking in the miracle waters this time, although we both could use some rejuvenation, and took a short stroll to one of the town’s top attractions: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

 

Perched high atop Iron Mountain, this mountaintop amusement park offers a mix of adrenaline rides, cave tours, and a scenic gondola ride with sweeping views of the valley below. We skipped the thrill rides—fast speeds, sudden drops, and dizzying spins have never been our thing. For the record, though, we do have a soft spot for Ferris wheels. As for the caves, well, I dabbled. Years ago, we toured the Lake Shasta Caverns, and I thought they were… fine. But everything changed after our visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Kraków, Poland. That experience involved descending deep underground via a long narrow staircase and returning to the surface in a cramped elevator. With crowds piling up and a 30-minute wait to ascend, I felt a wave of discomfort—uneasy, out of control. That’s when it hit me: I might have a touch of claustrophobia. Some would say, “you think? lol.”

 

The gondola ride, here, was a short five-minute glide, but the crisp mountain air and sweeping views made it feel like a tranquil escape from reality. At the summit, we wandered into a souvenir shop and a snack bar offering cold brews and classic bar bites. The local favorite? Fried pickles buried under a mountain of aioli. Supposedly, they were tart, lightly breaded, sizzling hot, and unapologetically greasy—perfect for some, perhaps. But for me, the mere idea of mayo-soaked pickles, and or getting stuck in a cave, that’s a recurring nightmare.

 

From there, we hiked up a half mile, steep path to Doc Holliday’s Grave in Linwood Cemetery.  The hike was totally worth it for the panoramic views of the valley and the chance to pay our respects to one of the West’s most legendary gunslingers, Doc Holliday.

 

Doc Holliday was a Dentist, gunslinger, gambler and came to Glenwood Springs for its thermal waters to treat his tuberculosis. He died here at the age of 35. Although we saw his grave marker on our hike, local history acknowledges that he probably was never buried there but is in Potter’s field, adjacent to the town’s cemetery because he was penniless when he died.

 

After descending, we rewarded ourselves at the Stoneyard Distillery, a local gem that crafts spirits using beet sugar. The tasting room is rustic and welcoming and the cocktails are creative and bold—perfect for a midday break.

 

In the evening, we notice that the town is now bustling. Restaurants are now busy, sidewalks full. People have come in for the annual historic Colorado Hotel Christmas Lighting. The lively storied heart of the city, restaurant row is packed shoulder to shoulder. Even the homeless guy we saw all day long with his suitcase locked on a bike stand looked uneasy.

 

Glenwood springs, despite its reputation as a picturesque mountain town of 10,000, seems to face the challenges of a big city. We have seen examples of this all day long. The crime rate is 73% higher than the average city in the US probably due to the influx of visitors and the opportunity for theft and has a growing homeless population due to the rising costs of housing and living.

 

It seems welcoming and inviting, has a small town feel but attracts crime and homelessness, a paradox.

 

Our train leaves today at 2:35p.m.