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Last night I pulled the trigger on tickets for my wife and me to Glenwood Springs on the Zephyr Jan. 9-14. This will be fun -- I fell in love with the town when I was writing "Zephyr." And with the two female station agents, Mike and Sandi.
Mike has retired but Sandi remains on duty, still cute and blonde and warm and friendly.
We'll stay at the Hot Springs Lodge and take the waters every day.
Interestingly, though I scored the low bucket fare ($194) for a roomette, I was given Room 12 (on the lower level) which presumably lies way higher on the bucket list. Got Room 4 on the return trip.
I prefer the lower level roomettes, because one can wash the windows at suitable station stops for photography. And the place to be after Denver, anyway, is the lounge car.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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As may times as I've been through Glenwood Springs on 5 and 6, I've never stopped and stayed in the town. It does look like a neat place, though.
There is a restaurant across from the station (up the hill and behind the station) that everybody says is great. I wish I could remember the name of it, but I think it's a steak place (?). Maybe you'll get a chance to try it while you're there. I've seen the front of it while on the fresh air stop there, and there was a line out the door.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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While I respect that Mr. and Mrs. Kisor have already booked their lodging, I do find The Hotel Denver to be an interesting independent property.
Two worthy features: it is adjacent to the Glenwood Springs train station; and its motif is most definitely railroad.
I have no financial interest whatever in the enterprise.
palmland Member # 4344
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Visiting friends in Estes Park, CO this summer, they told of taking 5/6 from Denver to Glenwood Springs for a couple days. They loved the trip and the hotel. Had a great time and enjoyed the baths. So we have it on our list. Will be interested to hear your report.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Indeed the Hotel Denver is first-rate, and I have stayed there. Can recommend it to anyone.
It's slightly more expensive than the Hot Springs Lodge -- and the rate at the latter includes unlimited use of the pool, which can add up. The Denver is in town, so is closer to the restaurants and other attractions.
The eateries are excellent, but they tend to change over time, so I will as usual have to ask Sandi the station agent about the best places to go for beans.
gibg Member # 2565
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Smitty (and Mr. Kisor): Are you thinking of Juicy Lucy's Steak House, which is across the street (7th Street) from the station and about a block west? It is an immensely popular place, and the food is outstanding. It doesn't take reservations so expect a wait.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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I believe we have been to Juicy Lucy's, but it may have been operating under another name in the 1990s. I do recall a popular steak house near the station on the main drag.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Nope, not Juicy Lucy's. I just looked at Google Maps, and that restaurant is too far west of the station. The place I'm talking about can best be described this way. First, look at this satellite view of the Amtrak station:
The Amtrak station has the red roof. If you look just south of the red roof, you will see the street in front of the station. And on the other side of that street is a building---that building is where the restaurant is located. I'd probably know the name of it if I heard it.
BTW, I looked at Juicy Lucy's menu----yum! Wish we had one here.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Is the Daily Bread Bakery still there, on the main drag about three blocks from the station? In the 1990s that was the place to go for breakfast. It had the best blueberry muffins I have ever eaten, and probably the largest too.
I am going to have to be careful with knife and fork on this trip.
gibg Member # 2565
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Smitty: The building you're referring to is the Hotel Denver, and its restaurant is the Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub. It boasts dozens of brews on tap as well as its own house brand which is made in full view of the patronage. It's very popular with locals and tourists alike, and the cheeseburgers (with a mountain of fries) are outstanding.
Mr. Kisor: Daily Bread is indeed still where it's been forever and continues to be very popular. The only change is that the city of Glenwood Springs turned the street in front of it into a landscaped sidewalk. You may remember that it is in the shadow of the viaduct which carries Colorado 82 over the tracks and the Colorado River. I don't know if the holiday lights at the Hotel Colorado will still be on, but don't miss them if they are. It may be that since your last visit Glenwood has acquired a "big box" mall, perhaps two miles west of downtown on the south side of the river. It's called Glenwood Meadows and includes Target, Lowes, Petco, Bed, Bath and Beyond ad infinitum.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Ah, that's the place! Thank you gibg!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr. Gardner, I've had lunch at that restaurant in The Hotel Denver during 2K (that is when they invited me to have a look at a railroad motif guest room). Yes, I do recall they are beer afficiandos there, but I'm not.
I "had one", and only one since I was driving; who knows what it was as "a beer is a beer".
They could have slipped me a Bud for all I know.
palmland Member # 4344
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Mr. Norman - brings up an interesting subject. What happened to those days when a lounge car was marketed as something more. If I recall in Amtrak days there was a very popular 'Pub' car on the Montrealer that no doubt had a good selection of beer. Back in 'the good old days' there were other variations such as GN Ranch car and of course ATSF Turquoise Room lounge.
Perhaps cafe cars in NEC or CA should advertise a Wine Bar with an expanded selection for all those weary business travelers. But then I guess Amtrak really isn't into marketing.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Palmland! You're hijacking my thread! This is about Glenwood Springs, not lounge cars!
What . . . you say *I* have been guilty of going off on tangents, too? *Moi*?
Anyway, GBN is fortunate that the Denver bar did not slip him an Old Style. That is even worse equine micturation than Bud. And I am delighted to know that the Daily Bread is still there. Perhaps the pretty young waitresses are still ski bunnies who need to make livings so they can throw themselves down the runs at Aspen.
graynt Member # 17
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We have a great trip planned starting on January 1. We are taking the Pennsylvanian, Capitol Limited and the Zephyr from Harrisburg Pa to Emeryville with a bus connection to Oakland..overnight at the Jack London Inn with a late arrival anticipated. We will spend two days in the Bay area and fly to Fort Lauderdale on Jet Blue on Wednesday, the 7th, visit with my parents for a few days and take the train from Fort Lauderdale to Philly and back to Harrisburg that weekend. I will be turning 60 on the 11th and I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day than being on a train.
The most incredible scenery on all of Amtrak has to be on #5 between Denver and Frasier Park. I have done this trip several times and never stops being incredible.
RR4me Member # 6052
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Holy moly...first ephebiphobic, now micturation. I was feeling quite erudite. Then I went to our local watering hole, the La Grange Grill and Saloon. What with my wife inquiring about herbal tea, and me using both words in one sentence, I had to take a train out of town!
smitty195 Member # 5102
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quote:Originally posted by graynt: overnight at the Jack London Inn with a late arrival anticipated.
I'm here in the Bay Area, so I'd like to give my two cents worth of advice here. PLEASE change your hotel plans! I don't think you will be too happy with the Jack London Inn. I have to say that this place is a dump. But don't just take my opinion on things.....check out TripAdvisor to see what others say. Here is a link that takes you directly there:
As you can see, most people feel this way. I can not stress enough to you what a dump it is that you're getting yourself into!!!! Hookers, drug dealers, and other undesirables will be roaming the hallways at night. If you need to be within walking distance of your hotel (from the Oakland Amtrak station), your closest choice is the Waterfront Plaza Hotel. It costs a bit more, but it sure beats the hell hole on the other side of the tracks. Keep in mind that they are doing major construction at the Oakland Amtrak station, and the bus that brings you in does not stop at the front door like it used to. It stops on the OTHER side of the tracks (the waterfront side) just adjacent to the Waterfront Plaza Hotel, so you're actually closer to that one anyway. It's not a big deal to walk to the Jack London Inn, but it's not worth it (you go up an elevator that stinks of urine, walk over the railroad tracks on the pedestrian bridge, go down another elevator, then start walking along the tracks towards the Jack London Inn).
There is another good choice that requires a 3 minute cab ride (so it won't cost much at all), and this is where the Amtrak crews will stay. There is also a Buttercup Pantry restaurant connected to the hotel that is open 24/7, and Oakland PD officers are almost always there---so the place is safe and the food is good. I think it's a Best Western, but I can double-check on that for you if you'd like me to. But whatever you do, oh my goodness, do not stay at the Jack London Inn!!
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Okay, I found the one I was talking about. It's called, "Best Western Inn At The Square". Here is the TripAdvisor review:
Theoretically, you could walk there from Oakland Amtrak but I would not do it late at night. You have to walk by several heavily-patronized African-American bars as well as a few porn shops. I would take a taxi. (You have to walk by the same stuff no matter which Jack London Hotel you select, except for the Waterfront Plaza).
This Best Western I think used to be called the Inn at Jack London Square if I'm not mistaken.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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A little more info.....yup, the Inn at Jack London Square and the Best Western Inn at the Square are the same place. Here is the review to TripAdvisor on the same hotel with a different name:
There are better and newer pictures in this review.
Geoff M Member # 153
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: That is even worse equine micturation than Bud.
It would be appropriate to say that I was pi---ng myself at that, but it's a family forum so I'll just say I almost wet myself with laughter.
On a general note, are microbrew pubs becoming more popular? There do seem to be more and more each time I visit the country, although I have been looking more once I realised there was more than just lager on sale. I remember the Times Square Brewery and that one opposite Denver station both offered almost-passable British ales.
What about German and Belgian beers, also of notable fame?
(Sorry for hijacking, Henry, but somebody got me started on real ale).
Geoff M.
palmland Member # 4344
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: Palmland! You're hijacking my thread! This is about Glenwood Springs, not lounge cars!
What . . . you say *I* have been guilty of going off on tangents, too? *Moi*?
Guilty as charged! Amazing how the mind does wander.
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