Outdoor Observations #2

 Every time the train goes by, I’m reminded of the industrial foundations of America. The view from the Preserve looking west is vibrant and lush as the sun begins to set. You don’t notice the highway until a car goes by, and you dont notice the train tracks until a train goes by. Just as I’m writing this, I notice that the train is transporting literal commercial airplane bodies as cargo. I have never seen anything like this before. It is the entire length of the body of a plane minus the wings and tail. It’s crazy to see something like this in a place that I spend so much time. The train continues to go by, but it looks to be more normal cargo like what I’m used to seeing. 

There is no passenger rail between Colorado Springs and Denver despite the pre-existing train track. It is sort of irritating to see the train transporting airplane parts because it makes me wonder how many train rides could have been in the place of the flights these airplanes will take. Trains are far better for the environment than planes, and depending on the distance, much more efficient (for example, Colorado Springs to Denver, Boston to New York).

It is now raining and sunny at the same time. The sun cuts in from just above the mountain and makes the whole area glow as a light drizzle phases in and out. Regardless of my dreams for more efficient public transit, I’m able to put them aside and take in the beauty of the place that I’m in. Nowadays, I feel like being able to sit back and just be grateful for what you do have is an extremely important ability. Springtime in Colorado is not something that I will ever take for granted.



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