SPSOT fan Kevin, it really is the end! I’ve really enjoyed this thread over the past few weeks.
.
I am back at home... for ONE DAY!
Then off to vacation on Daytona Beach!
rrinkerZaxby's... go out to a museum or something, then stop there on the way back and get an order of wings.
The Grilled Cobb Salad with fresh squeezed lemons for dressing is my go-to on the menu. YUM!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hope there's a Zaxby's in Baton ROuge. There was one in Bossier when I was up there and that was my weekend meal each week - go out to a museum or something, then stop there on the way back and get an order of wings.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Wow, Kevin, it really is the end! I’ve really enjoyed this thread over the past few weeks. Still, can’t wait to see you return to your regular posting when you get back home.
Here’s and idea, you should put a recap of all the hobby shops you visited and all the stuff you got on this trip once you get home!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Day 21:
Today was a double-hobby-shop-bummer day in Tennessee.
My first stop was an old hobby shop that I have always wanted to visit. When I went in the door the smell of cat urine was overwhelming. I could not stay in the store and shop. I only saw one cat, but it smelled like a dozen were inside.
The second stop was at Dixie Flyer in Wartrace. It is closed and out of business. I looked up the store, and they have been closed for over 2 years! I guess it has been longer than I thought since I visited this store.
The photography conditions again were terrible today.
The mountains are covered with trees. I guess that confirms that I am getting closer to home.
I saw a couple neat birds, but did not get pictures as good as I sometimes do.
Since we are back in the South, we grabbed dinner at Zaxby's. I have not seen a Zaxby's in two weeks, and it was good to get a familiar taste of home.
Tomorrow I will be heading the last leg home.
rrebellSorry to see the trip winding down, it was a fun ride along and you are a great host.
Yes, I am almost home. I too wish this adventure could go on and on.
York1The sad part of the flooding is that it was preventable.
We have a similar situation in Florida with Lake Okeechobee. No flooding as of yet, but green algae/slime and red tide are happening.
SeeYou190We ended up in the flood damage in Iowa. Lots of roads were closed, and most of the highways were down to one lane and 45 MPH speed limits. It took forever to get around, and I needed to detour all the way to Kansas City to get through the mess.
The sad part of the flooding is that it was preventable. In 2011, the exact same thing happened, and it was months before the water went down so homeowners could get home.
Right now, the governors of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri are in talks with the Army Corps of Engineers. Expect lawsuits.
The states want to see that the dam system on the Missouri River goes back to its original purpose - - flood control.
In the recent years, led by environmental groups and environmental laws, the Corps has kept the reservoirs too full of water during the winter, and then the system can't handle the spring runoff. Environmental groups have forced the Corps to adjust water flows to protect the least terns, piping plovers, and pallid sturgeon population.
The result is that the original goal of flood control is now not a priority.
York1 John
Sorry to see the trip winding down, it was a fun ride along and you are a great host.
Day 20:
This was a late start. I really needed some sleep.
While driving towards the UNION PACIFIC museum in Iowa, we chanced upon the town of Missuori Valley, and they are quite a "train town" to be sure.
They have "Watson Station" in their city park with a 15 inch gauge miniature railroad in operation. All the equipment was put away today, but it looked very impressive.
The UP museum was interesting. There is no real railroad equipment on display, but there is a lot to see in the museum. Everything is very clean and well maintained. It was worth the time to visit.
The displays were well set up for taking fun photographs.
We ended up in the flood damage in Iowa. Lots of roads were closed, and most of the highways were down to one lane and 45 MPH speed limits. It took forever to get around, and I needed to detour all the way to Kansas City to get through the mess.
Since we were accidentally back in Kansas City, it only seemed right to eat barbeque for dinner again. These ribs were delicious.
Heading into Tennessee and Georgia tomorrow.
JDCoopIf you have time stop by Chuck's Depot in Marion, IL. Based on your map you will be driving past it. You can see the store from I-57. Take exit 54. Take Illinois 13 east, turn south on Carbon St, turn west on Rendleman St and he is at the end of the street.
I was not able to make it. We got rerouted into the area that was flooded, and traffic went out of control. We were delayed by several hours.
SPSOT fanI forgot to tell you to hit Deer Lodge Montana, they have a Little Joe, and E8, and a rib side Caboose there! All MILW equipment.
I will need to get there on the next trip.
Water Level Route Still fun to see the sights you have! Great travelogue. I think I'm going to be sad when you get home.
I have been having a great time. Even in spite of the terrible weather the last three days.
York1Hope your driving is better today. I think you should be out of the ice and snow today.
The driving was much better today. We did not have rain until the very end of the day.
rrebellWeather is one of the reasons the bay area is so valued, ussually not too hot or cold,
My daughter and her husband love it there. I could not put up with the people for very long. I also cannot get over the fact we had to bus our own tables in every restaurant we ate. It is a completely different lifestyle.
Weather is one of the reasons the bay area is so valued, ussually not too hot or cold, the other is you are two hours from any outdoor sport you want, you can surf in the morning and go sking in the afternoon.
SeeYou190The weather tomorrow morning is supposed to be 30 degrees with freezing rain or snow overnight. We will see what happens.
When we moved to Nebraska from New Orleans, we had a blizzard in late April, and we still had snow flakes in mid-May. Since my daughters had never seen snow, they loved it.
With a daughter in Seattle, you will have other chances to see Mt. Rainier. It is worth the effort. Last year we drove up the mountain to Paradise Inn, one of the old log national park lodges. It was amazing! Those old lodges, many built by the railroads, are a passion of mine.
Hope your driving is better today. I think you should be out of the ice and snow today.
Woah, I completely missed the fact that it was super cold with SNOW in May!
I live overseas at the moment (though I’m from Washington) were it’s currently about 100 degrees out so I often forget how cold it gets in the home country!
SeeYou190It was 40 degrees outside and all I had was shorts and a light shirt. I was not expecting this weather.
Mike
I forgot to tell you to hit Deer Lodge Montana, they have a Little Joe, and E8, and a rib side Caboose there! All MILW equipment. I went there last summer in the pouring rain and it was still very much worth it! They even let you in the caboose, though not the Little Joe or E8 . Maybe next trip!
It was raining or snowing all day, so I never took the good camera out of the car. All of today's pictures were taken with my cell phone camera.
I started out by visiting the battlefield of Little Big Horn. I could not get out and walk the trail. It was 40 degrees outside and all I had was shorts and a light shirt. I was not expecting this weather.
Then I stumbled into the town of Gillette, Wyoming. I found half of my railroad! After the mistake naming my railroad 35 years ago, I made it to the city.
The little white flecks in the picture are snowflakes. It was 33 degrees and snowing when I took this picture. People saw me out there in shorts and a short sleeved shirt and were all pointing at me.
I am freezing in this picture.
I need to shave. I hate shaving on vacation.
In Gillette, Wyoming there was a small museum with some train cars on display including a USRA single sheathed boxcar. I have never seen one of these in person. I almost froze to death while looking at the details.
We were supposed to go to Mount Rushmore, but wen we reached the turn-off from the Interstate, this was the weather conditions:
We decided to postpone Mount Rushmore for a later trip. This makes two intended National Parks that we were not able to see this trip.
I stopped at a place called Al's Oasis for dinner because it was 8:30, and there was literally no other choice in sight.
This place was a complete tourist trap, but the food was good. I ate a Buffalo Burger.
I arrived at the hotel to find I am the "Guest Of The Day"! I was upgraded to the "Signature Suite" with a whirlpool, two TVs, two bedrooms, and an office. Too bad I am only here for nine hours.
It was still a nice way to end a bad day.
The weather tomorrow morning is supposed to be 30 degrees with freezing rain or snow overnight. We will see what happens.
SPSOT fanMy grandpa knows the person in charge of the restoration of the NP ten-wheeler there so we’ve been trying to go when he’s there so we can see the engine.
I did not see the ten wheeler. It must have been in the shed in front of the tender.
York1Scary just to read about it. I know it happens so fast that you don't really have time to think. Have a safe day today.
Today was also really bad for driving. Hopefully things get better tomorrow. I was not expecting these winter conditions.
DrWVery nice picture. And you can easily see why it is called a Ring-billed Gull. It is probably the most common gull in the interior US, away from the oceans.
Ah... an INTERIOR gull! I never heard of such a thing. Thank you.
Southgate I'm lost. Where's the FP&S Hobby shop? I always get lost when traveling in person, too.
I'm lost. Where's the FP&S Hobby shop?
I always get lost when traveling in person, too.
It’s PF&S and it’s about 30 mins north of Tri-Cites (Pasco), Washington.
SeeYou190 We saw this bird in Idaho. My wife insists it is a Sea Gull, but I don't think so. Idaho is no where near the sea and I think it must be something different. Maybe a Potato Gull? . .
We saw this bird in Idaho. My wife insists it is a Sea Gull, but I don't think so. Idaho is no where near the sea and I think it must be something different. Maybe a Potato Gull?
Very nice picture. And you can easily see why it is called a Ring-billed Gull. It is probably the most common gull in the interior US, away from the oceans.
SeeYou190At mile marker 190 on Eastbound I-90 I hit a patch of ice on an overpass and the car started to spin. I understeered out of the spin, but it was a terrifying 3 or 4 seconds.
Scary just to read about it. I know it happens so fast that you don't really have time to think.
Have a safe day today.
I’m glad to see you hit the NP railway in Toppenish (I’m assuming that’s the depot you have, it looks like it. I spend summers about 20 mins from Toppenish but I’ve never been. I hope to see that museum this summer. My grandpa knows the person in charge of the restoration of the NP ten-wheeler there so we’ve been trying to go when he’s there so we can see the engine.
Glad you hit PF&S. There isn’t a hobby shop in the entire side of the state with such a big selection! Need to get there again, but with the internet, PF&S is no longer convenient, being a 2+ hour drive away, even if it is the closest thing to a LHS in the area.
Day 19:
This day started out great. I began the day driving to the FP&S Hobby Shop. On the way I stumbled into the NORTHERN PACIFIC railroad museum. This is in a restored NP freight station and passenger station.
There are lots of pieces of equipment in the "back shops" going through restoration. I love to see this stuff in process a lot more than the finished result. These things all fascinate me.
Then we drove the rest of the way to FP&S hobbies. If you ever have the chance, you NEED to go to this hobby shop. It is an incredible place to hunt for treasures. Plan to spend at least two hours in there. The hobby shop building is made of two boxcars with a shed in between. The out-of-production treasures inside are nearly endless. I was in there 90 minutes and spent more than I have at any other hobby shop I visited this trip.
Inside I found two bottles of Floquil Antique White that I desperately needed. I found three bottles of the impossible to find Floquil Marine colors I wanted. I bought two freight car loads I have never seen before. I bought a lot of other items too, but the paint was the real treasure.
The compound is also home to Tomar Products. Very good visit.
The scenery we saw in Washington and Idaho today was great.
I saw this BNSF freight rolling by a river and managed to get off the highway and take a picture.
In Montana we hit terrible weather. It got very cold an rainy. At mile marker 190 on Eastbound I-90 I hit a patch of ice on an overpass and the car started to spin. I understeered out of the spin, but it was a terrifying 3 or 4 seconds.
I hope everything goes better tomorrow.
My wife has been sick of all the Foodie-Food after visiting our duaghter in Seattle, so I gave in and went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Nothing to write about today.
SPSOT fanYour in Ellensburg, so I’d expect your going to head south towards tri-cities tomorrow. On the way to Yakima, go trough the Yakima river gorge.
I took a scenic route, not sure if it is the same one you described. I saw some sood scenery along the way.
tstageThat's too bad, Kevin. My family and I visited and camped in Mt. Rainier National Park in 1970 when I was 11.
Mt. Ranier is on our trip plans for our next trip out west in 2021 or 2023. We will not be fooled again.
York1I know exactly, Kevin. We have three daughters, all living in distant interesting cities.
Three daughters is the perfect amount. My life has been made so complete by the three girls. I am sure I was never meant to have a son. Fate worked out well for me.
kansaspacific1'm enjoying it all, from prototype railroads, model railroads, scenery, and yes, even food photos.
Thank you. I am enjoying making these reports each day.
Kevin:
I'm enjoying it all, from prototype railroads, model railroads, scenery, and yes, even food photos.
I like salmon, too, but my wife cannot stand even the smell of fish.
I prefer my salmon grilled, with just lemon juice on it.
Be careful, and keep posting.
Chuck
SeeYou190SPSOT fan What!? No trains in Seattle! . Sorry, Seattle is a daughter city, and daughters take precedence over trains.
Sorry, Seattle is a daughter city, and daughters take precedence over trains.
I know exactly, Kevin. We have three daughters, all living in distant interesting cities. When we visit, we often spend time just visiting them and the grandkids, and we don't get to see or do touristy things.
Have a great return trip!
SeeYou190 Day 18: The we took off for Mount Ranier. Our HUGE MISTAKE was asking the smart phone how to get there. We got sent up a ten mile long dirt road to a closed road and an empty ranger station. We never made it to Mount Ranier state park today, but I did get this picture.
Day 18:
The we took off for Mount Ranier. Our HUGE MISTAKE was asking the smart phone how to get there. We got sent up a ten mile long dirt road to a closed road and an empty ranger station. We never made it to Mount Ranier state park today, but I did get this picture.
That's too bad, Kevin. My family and I visited and camped in Mt. Rainier National Park in 1970 when I was 11. It was the middle of July but the temps at night still went down into the upper 30s or lower 40s. But - wow! - What a view from the lodge the next morning of Mt. Rainier. We could see hikers heading up to the top of the peak with binoculars. Would love to go back there again someday with my wife.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Your in Ellensburg, so I’d expect your going to head south towards tri-cities tomorrow. On the way to Yakima, go trough the Yakima river gorge. The old NP goes through the canyon and it’s a very scenic ride, even if it’s slower. If your lucky you’ll see a grain unit train in the canyon (though the line isn’t that busy though).
Looking forward to seeing some of my home territory tomorrow!
Back on the road.
We said goodbye to our baby and now we are on the return trip back to home in Florida.
The Train Store of the day was Eastside Trains in Kirkland, Washington. This is a beautiful store that resembles an old train station. Most of the stock is Lionel O-27, but there is a small selection of N and HO scales also. I bought a couple of K-Line generators to use as HO scale flatcar loads.
There was this cute red caboose on display in a Mountain Town we drove through. It is kind of bizarre with standard freight car trucks, AB brakes, and a weirdly mis-shapen carbody. I don't know if it a real caboose or not.
The Impala is really showing the dity build up of many days and many miles.
For dinner I had pizza from a local shop in Ellsberg, Washington. This was there house special, and it was very good.
The adventure will continue tomorrow.
SeeYou190 SPSOT fan So is PF&S going to be a stop as you head east? . PF&S is my first stop tomorrow morning. According to Google they open at 9:00 AM, so that will be perfect for my scheudle. . -Kevin .
SPSOT fan So is PF&S going to be a stop as you head east?
PF&S is my first stop tomorrow morning. According to Google they open at 9:00 AM, so that will be perfect for my scheudle.
Excellent! It’s a great hobby shop! Glad your able to make it!
SPSOT fanSo is PF&S going to be a stop as you head east?