I can count the States I've visited on two hands: New Mexico, Colorado, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Out of all, I like Colorado the best. It has more to offer me than the rest; hunting, outdoor activities and coal burning trains. 

Riding on coal-burning, antique trains is a treat. I have been fascinated with trains since I was a young boy. Last year, Justin and I had the opportunity to ride the Durango to Silverton, coal burning train in Colorado. Riding in an open railcar, dodging the burning embers while looking at the spectacular scenery is a thrill that all railroading enthusiasts should do at least once. We started out in Durango and went to Silverton. Once there, we had lunch and looked around this old-timey western mining town. It's more of a tourist town now. Then we got back on the train and headed back down the mountains to Durango. On the website linked above, you can download a video of the trip...it's worth it. 

A bit of trivia: the train robbing scenes in the 1969 movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were shot from this train.   

Justin and I also drove to the top of Pikes Peak. This was an experience! On the way up, you could plainly see the "altitude growing lines"; the different areas of plant growth. Down low, grasses, trees and small shrubs grew. A little higher up only the trees could grow, and even further, nothing grew! It was in the middle of the summer, but there was ice and snow on the very tip!

We also drove over the top of the Canadian Rockies, 12,000 foot up and 12,000 foot down. I really enjoyed the scenery on that trip. I have a special place in my heart for Colorado, every year my grandfather spent 2 weeks in Colorado deer hunting. He died the year before he was take me with him for the first time. Ever since then, I promised myself I would visit the town he hunted in, Durango. He hunted in those mountains.