Since arriving here in Seattle I've had an opportunity to work on a few watercolor sketches in followup. These are based on my observations as we rattled along plus snapshots. The train isn't a high-speed vehicle and can only make a maximum speed of 70 mph or so, but almost never achieves top speed owing to factors like track geometry (which can be problematic when rounding a curve at high speed) as well as the basic condition of American tracks. So at lower speeds you have considerably more opportunity to take useable photos and make notes as well.
This watercolor is a view of of Glenwood Canyon, which provides part of the route for the California Zephyr and Interstate Highway 70. The canyon is geologically new sandstone formations that were cut by the Colorado River, which runs alongside the tracks. The walls of the canyon soar as high as 1300 feet above the river and huddle close in the narrow valley. The banks of the river are covered in cottonwoods and other trees but the rest of the landscape is arid, rocky and sandy The colors are remarkable, even in a dry and cold winter environment.
We will be in Seattle for a few more days so I'll post more as the days pass.
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