All Aboard for a twilight adventure out to Sycamore Canyon Wilderness where John Ford filmed the Verde River railroad bridge at Perkinsville in the 1962 classic, How the West Was Won. It was impossible to select only five. My lucky number is 13:
![DSC01533[1]](https://cindybruchman.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dsc015331.jpg)
THE RETURN
The following are untouched–I simply messed up the settings trying to capture the full moon and the night. However, I rather like the painted feel, so I included them anyway.
Which one do you like best?
Hope you enjoyed your Arizona twilight tour with Jim and I.
![DSC01477[1]](https://cindybruchman.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dsc014771.jpg)
Cindy Bruchman 
Plum Sunset is my favorite.
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Hi Allen, that dark hue was something to behold. Thanks for your vote 🙂
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Nice adventure! I like the “painted” shots, but somehow found an instant connection with #4 – I could feel the motion of being on the train!
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The flashed upon cliffs and dazzling sunsets always commands instant appreciation. But, I agree with you, I liked the couplets and the rails flashing beneath. The motion of the shot seemed cool to me, too. I thank you.
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Wow! These are great. I love no 4.
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LOL. That’s two now who vote for the motion of the rails. It’s dimensional. Thanks, always, Abbi.
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so beautifully
brings me
back to AZ 🙂
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Welcome! I’m glad I could remind you of Arizona. It’s a breathtaking state.
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yes, thank you!
i spent much of my life
living and working on
indian reservations in AZ 🙂
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#5 with #13 in hot pursuit. 😀
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Thanks, Tim! My two favorites, as well. the couple in #13 looking cuddling in front of the full moon on the observation deck was something straight out of a novel. He was wearing a kilt and his hair long and flying around; she, in love and they both mesmerized and alone on the crowded platform.
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Number 6.
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Hi Robin! I liked the blue, the gold, and the white. The top of the bluff seemed molten. Thanks for commenting 🙂
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My pleasure.
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The photos are fantastic. I really like Plum Sunset… But, I really like trains and number 2 with train cars and trestles. I took a similar shot to number 4 riding the rails on the Alaska Road on the way from Anchorage to Denali. Great shots!
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Hi there! What a great surprise. It was a lot of fun. Number 4 turned out well–love those clasps that connect the cars. Your Alaska train trip sounds wonderful, too. I bet you saw breathtaking mountains along the way. Thanks for commenting, Uncle Hank. 🙂
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Stunning! Just look at the sun coloring those rocky tops!
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Thanks, Keith. That’s the magic for sure. The way the sun makes ordinary rocks glow and like a crew cut in this picture. 🙂
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I’ve just been taking some photographs of the beautiful sunset over Manchester tonight, they pale in comparison to this selection though.
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Paul, Oh, I bet Manchester is beautiful at sunset. Thanks for the kind words, though. The sun and rocks are a magic act here.
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Some really nice photographs! For me #6 and #11 are the best, but not by much.
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Hi John. I liked the blue –you can tell the season is changing, the blue isn’t as deep, but lovely just the same. That gold! I’m glad you liked it. The train lighting the way in #11 was a good one for me. Thanks for voting.
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Beautiful pictures, love all of them!
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That means a lot coming from you. You are a fine photographer. 🙂
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Thanks – so are you! 🙂
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Gorgeous! #13 is my favorite pic.
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Hi Eric! The moon was so full; a romantic way to spend an evening. Thanks for voting.
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Plum sunset might be my favorite but I really do like how the last 4 come out more like a painting than photos, you’re right. Definitely worth keeping. 🙂
The tour looks positively sublime. Beautiful canyon and sights
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Hi Tom. It was fun to play tourist. I watch the train from my deck go out every day, but it took me three years to actually get on it. It was great seeing the canyon from a different angle. Isn’t funny how sometimes when you mess up, it becomes something interesting to look at? Thanks for your kind words and for voting.
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Can you imagine how hard it must have been for those pioneer rail workers to put that line together! Enjoyed the trip with you.
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Oh, yes! That very thought crossed my mind the entire time. Especially the tunnel we went through–it was 160 yards. Once the copper mine closed in the 50s, someone had the forethought to transform it into a history/tourist ride. I was very impressed with the whole trip.
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I like full moon over the caboose. It captures travel with its sense of motion.
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Even though it’s scratchy and dreamy, I like it, too. Thanks!
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I LOVE your new banner and your pic w/ your handsome hubby. You made such a fine couple Cindy! I LOVE all of these, but man that ‘Sun Tipped’ one took my breath away. You made me even more excited for our trip and hopefully meeting you soon!!
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Ruth, yes, I thought of you on the trip last night. You and yours would appreciate it. It’s kind of pricey. We were very lucky–a friend of mine gave me the first class gift card–she had been on it several times and just gave it to us. Hope our paths cross late September. Oh, there’s a film/music festival next weekend here. I’m hoping to catch some indies and do some reviews. 🙂
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my favorite is jim and cindy at the caboose of the train. of the rest, I like #2 train trestle the best.
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🙂 Thanks, Bill. The trestle! Awesome. The light wasn’t glowing, but I like how the train snakes around.
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By coincidence, my last post was about ‘How The West Was Won.’
I like the last photo of you two on the train, that’s one for the album. I also like number 7, as I would never see anything like that in England. The blurry night shots conveyed great atmosphere too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, I remember reading your post. When they were talking about the bridge in Perkinsville, and the film shooting, I thought of you!
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I love the trestle bridge. I have a thing about bridges. And I liked the coupling that you labelled riding the rails. But basically I love going traveling overseas with all you “Foreign Folk”.
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I admire them but feel nervous going over them. I’m glad you enjoyed the ride!
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wow, very impressive captures, i cant pick out which one i like best.. each time i go back i like a different one:) really great job!!!!
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Thank you so much! I had a hundred to choose from and it was tough to narrow them down. The light was great that evening. 🙂
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Wow, amazing shots of your journey, what stunning landscapes to travel though on a train like this. I also really like the pictures of the return journey, gives a real sense of experiencing the voyage.
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Hi Paul, Oh good, I’m glad you liked it. I don’t have a lot of practice with night shots; it was cool to be in the vast, blackness of the wilderness with a solitary beam in front of the train and the solitary beam above us in the sky.
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Those night shots were really good, a wonderful journey by train!
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Stunning gallery… those landscapes are majestic!…
All my best wishes. Aquileana 😀
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting! It was beautiful.
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What an amazing train ride! I’d love to go on it, although I’d probably spend most of my time on it expecting to be held up by a bunch of cowboys with kerchiefs over their faces. Wow!
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Oh, it was a fun place to let your imagination run wild. The herons along the river, Perkinsville where a small community lives and where they turn the train around. The lights, the shadows–all out in the middle of nowhere–it was great! Thanks for commenting.
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It really does sound great!
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The colour variation on those rocky outcrops is amazing! Great pics Cindy.
Adam.
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Hi Adam, thanks for commenting. I couldn’t believe what a kaleidoscope the bluffs were. I was relieved my camera caught a few!
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WOW that looks like a sweet ride ! and it looks like you found more than McKennas’s Gold up there.
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Thanks for saying so! It was a fun time.
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So many beautiful images, but i would have to say that my favorite is – 11. In The Dark.
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Aw, lovely couple.
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Lovely work Cindy, your photography always impresses me.
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Hi Vinnieh, my computer was zapped by lightning and I’ve been out of commission. Thanks very much for your kind comment! I love taking pictures and am thankful you like them. 🙂
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Sorry to hear about that happening to your computer Cindy.
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Almost fixed. Almost connected. Thank you!
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I’m thrilled to hear that.
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I love the blurry Return trip pictures. Especially No.11- In the Dark, looks like an old Impressionist painting, from the 1800’s.
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I thought the same–I love it when mistakes create something different. 🙂
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Train ! my favorite way to travel. Love those golden shots too.
I have #3 for my Perfect Movie list: Shawshank Redemption. YO !
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Hi JC: Yes, that’s a good call. Many people list that one as their favorite film. There’s so many memorable scenes. I love the ending when they reunite on the beach. Such colors!
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I just saw these – terrific shot! I just finished reading Paul Theroux’s “The Old Patagonian Express” – an older book about his rail trip from Boston to Patagonia…your classic old railroad, while a shorter trip, is just as full of interesting trivia and history!
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I was in that area last year about this time. They make some nice wine down south below Tuscon. The valley/region is beautiful. I’m 3 hours north, an hour south of Flagstaff. Thank you, John.
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Here is a story I posted about Paul Theroux’s rail travels – something I would love to do – https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/13/ghost-trains-safaris-a-legendary-literary-master-travels-the-rails-paul-theroux/
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Thank you for sharing, John. Up in the Verde Valley, Clarkdale has a train that revisits the Perkinsville stop.When they exported the copper from mines, Clark had the railroad built. It went around the mountain to Prescott where the copper could be shipped then nationally. Anyway, the train is a beautiful way to see the countryside. If you are ever in this area, you and your wife would love it, I suspect. It’s romantic and full of the history we both seem to share. 🙂
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Thanks for this tip, I’d love to do this!
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We’re only 6 hours from L.A.
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This is the link I wanted to share with you – Paul Theroux’s rail adventures – https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/13/ghost-trains-safaris-a-legendary-literary-master-travels-the-rails-paul-theroux/
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The Sycamore Canyon, that gold really pops but I think I will with In the Dark. I did like those night time shots. When you guys got married, was this in the canyon? Did you go on a train ride for the wedding too or just on the train at their home station?
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We went out a few years back on a “night-ride” trip. I learned that they did weddings on the train and so I decided back then if Jim popped the question, I wanted it to be out in the canyon.
So the vows were said on the train, we had the cake, and then after four hours and the train returned, we all (30) went downtown to a cool restaurant we like that serves fresh cuisine. It was a mighty fine day. 🙂
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That does sound like a very cool wedding day and you looked gorgeous.
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Thanks, mate!
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Thanks, Cindy, for showing me views we didn’t see when we were there last September. As to which I like most: I’m torn between #4 and #6. I think I can’t decide. They’re too different and each has its very own attraction.
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It is a fun touristy thing to do here. When you return, let’s go on it together!
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