Monday, September 20, 2010

A Fun Day Part One

Labor Day fell on David's birthday this year and we planned a fun day for a gift of experience together!

We started the day with a ride on the train!

I've read so many books set during the time of the railroad growing that I could not help but be reminded. All those who traveled far from home just to find work helping to lay the railroad. All the timbers put in, the spikes driven in, the rails laid. It blows my mind - and makes me kind of sorry that the railroad doesn't mean nearly as much to us today.


Our children had never really ridden a train before (just those little ones at an amusement park or zoo) so this was a fun treat for them!

I think this was my favorite train ride!

More on our fun day together tomorrow! Have you ever ridden a train?

8 comments:

Ginger said...

Yes, when Matthew was about 5 my parents and I stayed in a neighbor's mountain house and we rode the Tweetsie Railroad through the Smokey Mountains. It was a blast! I didn't know they had day trips around here. I'll have to get the info from you.

Wendi said...

My dad is retired from Amtrak. One of the perks growing up was free train rides. My mom doesn't drive and we would take a yearly girls trip to visit my grandparents in Virginia. Lots of fun!

melissa said...

Where we live, trains and streetcars are a daily part of life! :-)

Creatively Missy said...

My first train ride was a trip from MD to FL to visit my aunt with my Grandma. I was 12 and had so much fun. Made lots of memories.

My second train ride was 10 years later with my mom. That trip was the complete opposite from the first one. Bad, bad trip. But, at least my mom and I made memories and can still laugh about our crazy experiences that summer.

Unknown said...

How Fun! We live about 2 hours north of Seattle and I've always wanted to take a day trip down there on the train. My boys would love it!

Flannel Jammies Farm said...

How exciting! Your photos of the tracks are stunning! I love to ride on the train. Our area will have light rail soon and I can't wait to ride into the neighboring city for a day of shopping and lunch out. I'll be watching for Part Two to find out where the train took you...

Pioneer Beauty said...

I Love Train Rides...We keep meaning to take the Kids on the Old Train Ride Over in Arizona..My husband friend Is one of The Cowboy Train Actors that comes in and Robs the Train...it's supposed to be really fun...

Anonymous said...

MONICA, YOUR THIRD PICTURE SHOWS THE METAL PLATES AND SPIKES FOR
THE RAILS. I HAVE SEVERAL OF THEM
THAT I FOUND ALONG THE ROCK ISLAND
TRAIL. YOU MAY HAVE SOME IF YOU WANT.