My husband and I never bought into the gift-buying thing for each other. We opted to put those funds towards shared experiences instead. A yearly tradition has come of that with our shared Fall birthdays, where we plan a travel adventure to celebrate another year around the sun!

As this year's birthday celebration approaches, I am reminded of last year's trip to celebrate our birthdays, when we embarked on our epic journey with Rocky Mountaineer on their newest US train route – Rockies to the Red Rocks - between Moab and Denver. Rocky Mountaineer, a Canadian company with more than 30 years of history greeting and entertaining guests from all over the world, all the while mesmerizing them and transporting them on a magical train ride through some of the most spectacular landscapes in North America!

Moab, Utah, one of the most sought-after destinations in the American Southwest, nature's masterpiece, home of the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and the thunderous Colorado River, was the perfect location for Rocky Mountaineer to depart from on their newest US route. With a small-town vibe, diverse culinary scene, including Moab Food Truck Park, Moab was the perfect place for us to spend a few days before embarking on our Rocky Mountaineer experience.

We included an early morning hot air balloon ride with Lou Bartell, the owner / operator of Canyonlands Ballooning. Lou and his crew took us on a breathtaking flight with a bird's eye view of the geological wonders of Canyonlands and Arches National Park. We then shared a champagne toast to celebrate the occasion and this exquisite experience.

We made sure to book an early morning, timed entry into Arches National Park, which allowed us to beat the crowds and enjoy a cooler morning hike leading us to the Delicate Arch. Moab area offers so many hiking trail options in the area, providing us a great opportunity to get off the beaten path and to experience incredible views that were just not visible from the road.

This was also our experience once we boarded the train with Rocky Mountaineer with our journey alongside the Colorado River. Our very large window seats allowed us a very comfortable front-row seat so we could take in vibrant Ruby Canyon, stunning mountain views of Mount Garfield and Mount Logan. Our cameras were out most of the day, especially while out in the open-air viewing pavilion!

Our experience also allowed us to taste regionally-inspired cuisine and signature cocktails served with stories of local history narrated by our onboard hosts. It was a wonderful chance to sit back, relax and take it all in, with not much to do except relax and enjoy. Even our early evening arrival into Glenwood Springs had us disembark and transfer to our comfortable hotel room for the night, where our luggage was already awaiting our arrival.

The second day onboard provided another extraordinary day of delicious food and stories as we crossed the Continental Divide, and experienced cutting through the Moffat Tunnel - 10km of engineering marvel! Our comfortable seats was the perfect place to spot pronghorns, deer, eagles...and “full moons” from the local folks enjoying an afternoon swim – apparently a tradition in these parts, all before arriving in Denver, where our rail journey came to an end.

One of the things I love about Rocky Mountaineer is their commitment to sustainability. They partner with organizations to protect nature and wildlife, while honoring local culture and history. Definitely allowed us to slow-down and experience an almost forgotten mode of transportation – train ride - evoking a little nostalgia in all of us.

We extended our adventure a few extra days in Denver, where our rail journey ended. Denver is nicknamed the “Mile High City”, as its official elevation is exactly one mile above sea level. Denver experiences an average of 300 days of sunshine a year! Another great spot for Rocky Mountaineer to choose for this route. Such a great spot to wander around and look for thought-provoking murals and street art. There is also a thriving culture of sports enthusiasts and craft-beer connoisseurs. We happened upon the downtown Denver Oktoberfest festival, from keg bowling to stein hoisting, live music and dirndls accessorized with cowboy boots! A truly great adventure!

Be sure to reach out if you are looking for a truly unique way to experience your next birthday celebration with Rocky Mountaineer!