Golden Rails and Autumn Views

 

Golden Rails and Autumn Views: 

A Day on the Potomac Eagle

There’s something about fall that always draws me outdoors. Maybe it’s the crisp air, the crunch of leaves underfoot, or the way the world seems to glow in amber and gold. This year, my husband and I decided to do something a little different to soak it all in — a ride on the Potomac Eagle train.

We boarded in Romney, West Virginia. The vintage blue-and-white cars gleamed against the backdrop of fiery autumn trees, and there was an old-fashioned charm in the air that instantly slowed us down. Inside, the wooden paneling and big picture windows made it feel like we’d stepped into another era — one where the journey itself was the destination.

As the train pulled away, the rhythmic hum of the tracks set the tone for a day of quiet wonder. We sat beside a large window watching the South Branch of the Potomac River wind its way through the mountains. The landscape opened up to rolling hills blanketed in every shade of orange, red, and gold imaginable. Every turn of the track seemed to reveal another postcard-perfect view.

Then came the moment everyone waits for — the Trough. It’s a deep, narrow gorge carved by the river, and it feels almost untouched by time. The conductor encouraged us to keep an eye out for bald eagles, and sure enough, we spotted several soaring gracefully above the treetops. We were not able to capture them with the camera very well. It’s one thing to see an eagle in a picture; it’s another to see one gliding freely in its natural home.

We enjoyed a five-course meal that was very tasty and filling.  

By the time the train rolled back into the station, the sun was dipping low, painting the river in soft pinks and golds. We stepped off the train completely relaxed, a little chilled but content. There was no rush, no noise, no distractions — just us, the rails, and the golden light of a West Virginia autumn.

Sometimes, the best adventures aren’t the ones that take you far away, but the ones that remind you to look up, breathe deep, and share a quiet moment with someone you love.