Jose and Esther Vigil met as young adults in northern New Mexico. “I was in school. I was a teenager working in the movie theater and he was throwing popcorn at me,” said Esther.
Sixty-nine years later, their marriage - and their sense of playfulness - is still going strong. Back in September 2023 they boarded the New Mexico Rail Runner Express together for the first time.
Rail Adventure
“I signed us up to go on a trip to Santa Fe and have lunch at Tomasita’s,” said Jose.
The trip was organized by the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center with the help of Rio Metro Marketing Specialist Marie Morra. Throughout the year, Morra works with different Albuquerque Senior Centers to take groups on trips to Santa Fe using the Rail Runner. The trips are meant to be fun and also show participants how easy it is to use the train.
Like most of the senior center Rail Runner trips, Jose and Esther rode to Santa Fe on a Wednesday, when seniors 60+ can ride any train, any direction all day at no cost.
“We met a lot of people,” said Jose.
In fact, Esther was visiting with another passenger on the trip, and after talking for a while the two discovered they were related.
“We were talking about people we have in common and realized we are cousins,” said Esther.
Community and the Arts
The Vigils have a rich history in New Mexico and have been very involved in their community and the arts.
Jose joined the National Guard after high school and then worked for the phone company while attending St. John’s College in the evenings. “I had a great job. I worked for the phone company for 30 years. I got to travel all over New Mexico and to Texas and Arizona,” he reminisced. After retiring, Jose built town homes and apartments in Albuquerque, which are now managed by one of their sons.
Esther is a woman of many talents. “I try everything,” she said.
One of the activities nearest and dearest to Esther’s heart is Colcha embroidery. “As a little girl, my mother got me into it,” she stated. She has written two books on the subject, complete with patterns, has given talks on the art form, and even has pieces that reside in museums. Esther is also a dedicated mother to the couples’ four children and spent 30 years as a caretaker for her mother.
Now in their 90s, the couple still enjoys socializing, going on new adventures like the Rail Runner trip, and giving back to their community. They both attend the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, where Jose exercises, takes care of the Center’s library, and helps set up tables for lunch twice a week.
“I’m ready to go on another trip on the Rail Runner,” said Jose. “We had a good experience when we went and enjoyed our lunch at Tomasita’s.”
Seniors Ride Free Wednesdays
Anyone 60+ can take advantage of the Rail Runner’s Seniors Ride Free Wednesdays program. Simply board the train and show your valid Photo ID (must contain your birthday) to the onboard ticket agent. It’s a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to explore New Mexico’s outstanding local restaurants, museums, shops, and more.
Need help planning your trip? Visit www.riometro.org/seniorsridefree or call the Rio Metro Customer Service Office at 866-795-RAIL (7245).
