Train Day

Okay, I made it to the museum today. The trains were so neat to look at. I tried to post pictures, but they all want to load on their sides. So I guess I'll do what they did in the old days and try to describe my visit.

When I first went in, I saw a couple of very old steam engines. I was able to get in to one and had the privilege to see the coal box and the shovel. The engineer's seat is very small and was completely open to elements. It had to be a miserable job, wind, rain, snow, bugs (I hate bugs) and I'm sure smoke and steam. Plus they had to be very thin to fit in that seat!

The cars of the first trains were from the 1800's, probably late in the century. The seats were velvet and torn, but the look was definitely there from movies seen. Not a lot going on, just seats and windows.Then the cars evolved into more modern. There was the Pullman cars with separate compartments, drop down beds and the beds behind the curtains. Made me think of the I Love Lucy episode where they took the train back from CA to NY. I looked for the pull. Then the cars from the 40's to 60's showed up. They had the vibrant colors of turquoise and orange, some with swivel seats in the lounge area. I even saw one of the first dome liners. There was a mail car from the 1800's and several other cars for produce, troops and livestock. At one point in time, women and men did not ride in the same car. I saw the kitchen car, and I believe it was superior at it's time, but it would scare me to try to cook in there with a moving train beneath my feet.

In another part of the museum, there were displays of memorabilia. Some of the items were dishes. There was one dish that scared me, but I think it was for children. It had a scary clown face on it. I have a picture, but....and another set had the art deco style in blue and white. I really like those. I have a picture of those, too.

We had dinner last night at Longhorn's Steak House. It was very good. We had bacon wrapped steak and I had the vegetables with mine. I ate almost all my meat, all the broccoli and squash, and left the nasty carrots. We tried to share a dessert, but that wasn't too successful, since the skin I was wearing had become too tight.

Overall, it was a good semi vacation. I did just what I wanted to do and when I wanted to do it. That is a hallmark of success. Tomorrow is a tour of the Coca Cola factory and then flight time. I look forward to getting home, but hate to leave the relaxing time I've had. It's all good.