We lucked out with our vacation this year. We took a Caribbean cruise in February and returned March 1, just before the dung made contact with the air handling mechanism. There were no cases in the Caribbean until after we got back, so the cruise was just as it should have been.
We had thought about the Durango and Silverton trip this fall, but that's not going to happen this year.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Tinplate Toddler There is not a single corona virus. It is a family of virusses, which can cause quite a number of different illnesses when a human being is infected.
There is not a single corona virus. It is a family of virusses, which can cause quite a number of different illnesses when a human being is infected.
The type of Arthritis I have is an Auto Immune Disease as is many forms of Arthritis and other diseases such as some types of Diabetes. I have extended members (various inlaws) that for some reason through extreme vanity issues or religious issues just go bonkers when I say I have an Auto Immune Disease instead of saying I have Arthritis. If they were not so shallow in their beliefs as to what Auto Immune Diseases represents I would not have to antagonize them.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Vacation? What is that? We have not really taken one of those in a decade or two. And the one we did take with all the kids years ago, the wife did not really like.
I am joking a little here, but only a little. We have never taken the kinds of vacations that have been described above.
My wife won't fly. Now I don't think she would go on a cruise. That's ok with me because there is nothing about a cruise that sounds interesting to me.
Beach? We live a rocks throw from the Chesapeake Bay, and in just a couple hours we can be in Cape May NJ, or Ocean City MD, playing in the Atlantic Ocean.
So our vacations are a long weekend here, a long weekend there, over night in a bed and breakfast in Cape May, a day trip to the Gettysburg battlefield, a day at the Strasburg Railroad (usually three or four times a year, we are less than an hour from there), or a trip to the B&O Railroad Museum.
No passports, no airplanes, no resorts, no strange food, no big expense.....
of course even thes kinds of vacations are on hold.....
Sheldon
Sheldon you should slow down and smell the roses.
Lower Cape Hatarass beaches are much less developed than Ocean City to Fenwick Island. Durango Silverton is way better than Strasburg. All of us have seen pictures of the Grand Canyon, but your first look over the edge can't compare to any of the pictures.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddyAll of us have seen pictures of the Grand Canyon, but your first look over the edge can't compare to any of the pictures.
I don't think there's any other natural wonder I've seen that compares with my first view of the Grand Canyon.
York1 John
IIRC, from past posts by Sheldon on travel: If it's west of the Mississippi - he's not interested. It could even be west of the Appalachians.
I totally agree with you both on the first glimpse of the Grand Canyon.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
BigDaddy Sheldon you should slow down and smell the roses. Lower Cape Hatarass beaches are much less developed than Ocean City to Fenwick Island. Durango Silverton is way better than Strasburg. All of us have seen pictures of the Grand Canyon, but your first look over the edge can't compare to any of the pictures.
I've been to the Carolina beaches, and to the Virginia beaches, they are nice.
If I tell the truth, I go to the beach because the wife likes the beach. I have learned to like the beach. I go to Cape May because I like Victorian architecture and history, so does the wife. After all, we invested ourselves into restoring this, and living there for 25 years:
I'm actually pretty well traveled east of the Appalachians, and in the Appalachians.
I tried to get the wife to retire to the Shenandoah Valley, but she would have no parts of it.
My travel out west is very limited, never had the time, or a specific reason.
I have been to Colorado, when I was 18. Spent some time in Michigan, been to St Louis, Kansas City, Milwaulkee.
But work nor pleasure has allowed me much travel out west.
Colorado was interesting, but I have to say, I am not awe struck by western scenery.
This may sound really silly, or backward, or strange, but when you tell me what a trip to Europe costs, or a cruise, or even a flight to the west coast, I say I have better things to do with that much money.
My wife and I use to take lots of impromtu driving adventure trips up and down the east coast.
Now she suffers from rheumatiod arthritis and really long drives are difficult, and walking to go sightseeing is difficult.
As for the Durango Silverton, yes train wise it looks super, but again, I am not "drawn" to the west.
I guess I'm not really the outdoors type.........
ATLANTIC CENTRALThis may sound really silly, or backward, or strange, but when you tell me what a trip to Europe costs, or cruise, or even a flight to the west coast, I say I have better things to do with that much money.
Both the wife and I totally agree. Any trips we take are via a vehicle I'm driving, always (well, mostly) within WI.
Although, she wants to go the KC this summer to see extended step brothers and sisters..... ugh..., the good thing is, KC is loaded with trains and yards.
The last time we were there was April of 2015, our daughter was in a marathon race. They are all (most) are good people, so, once I get there, I'll have a good time.
Mike.
My You Tube
tstage IIRC, from past posts by Sheldon on travel: If it's west of the Mississippi - he's not interested. It could even be west of the Appalachians. I totally agree with you both on the first glimpse of the Grand Canyon.
Well, yes I have made the comment regarding prototype railroads that railroading west of the Mississippi has never really attracted my interest.
The Southern Pacific is the one western road that peaks my interest a little......
mbinsewi ATLANTIC CENTRAL This may sound really silly, or backward, or strange, but when you tell me what a trip to Europe costs, or cruise, or even a flight to the west coast, I say I have better things to do with that much money. Both the wife and I totally agree. Any trips we take are via a vehicle I'm driving, always (well, mostly) within WI. Although, she wants to go the KC this summer to see extended step brothers and sisters..... ugh..., the good thing is, KC is loaded with trains and yards. The last time we were there was April of 2015, our daughter was in a marathon race. They are all (most) are good people, so, once I get there, I'll have a good time. Mike.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL This may sound really silly, or backward, or strange, but when you tell me what a trip to Europe costs, or cruise, or even a flight to the west coast, I say I have better things to do with that much money.
I thought KC was an interesting place, and yes, lots of trains.
We never went on vacations untill my son was put in a home at age 25 (he is autistic) when my wife could no longer go up and down the stairs. She is better now and we go on a couple trips a year but they don't cost much (sister is a time share junkie and likes company). We were going in april to a place near San Diego but of course that never happened. All the timeshares are shut down but they are now taking reservations.
The bad part was, I had a autographed Green Bay Packer cap, signed by pro line backer George Koonce, that I left hanging in the hotel room.
We were about 50 or so miles down the road, when I realized it. I immediately called the hotel, and once I finally got a desk clerk that could speak English well enough to understand, she tried to assure me that no hat was left in the room. My fault, I just kept driving back to WI.
There are two sights or events burnt into my memory. The first one standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon at dusk, and the second one riding the High Line to Silverton, when it ws still operated by the D&RGW. I have travelled a fair amount throughout the world, both on business and pleasure, but I have never seen anything so magnificent and breathtaking as the Grand Canyon.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Tinplate Toddler John-NYBW One positive to come from the economic downturn is the price of gasoline. Indeed a positive effect, but with hardly a place to go to, the price of gasoline somehow becomes irrelevant.
John-NYBW One positive to come from the economic downturn is the price of gasoline.
Indeed a positive effect, but with hardly a place to go to, the price of gasoline somehow becomes irrelevant.
Sadly, that's true. I had gassed up the car about a week before this and I thought I got a bargain at $1.67. When I saw the new price I looked at the gas gauge and it was still almost full. I was tempted to turn in anyway and fill up but I doubt I would have gotten more than a gallon or two.
Morning all. Still working on one of my mountains but it is getting down to the end. Got in a bit of a funk because things were not going as visioned (they never do at this stage of constructions). Looked at Furlows book (layout is similar in track plan) and relized how selected the shots were. This not being able to do much outside is starting to get to me. Went to Costco yesterday, no lines but were out of paper products excent for the one that i was out of, klenex, but it was not the size box we always get, they only had the mega boxes. Still see no direct impact from virus except interupting our lives, only daughters boyfreind had hours cut. We have to were masks now whenever out, not that all do. Never liked anything on my head including masks, took a long time before I used glasses as an adult.
Good morning from a beautiful morning in Wisconsin. How has the virus affected me, my modeling and life? In a couple previous responses I said not too much my wife and I couldn't handle. Yes, I ran out of styrene but the LHS (only one) has curbside delivery and that was neat. Ran out again and will go tomorrow. Health wise the wife and I are fine. Emotionally we have our moments. We miss the day trips we take around Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and Eastern Iowa. We really miss the grandkids 2 miles away but might as well be 100's and talking through screen doors on their porch or ours just isn't cutting it. We miss the Tuesday all day any movie $5.00 movie seats, we miss going out to eat a few times a week. Being retired was meant to be fun, not cooped up. But, this shall end. Our governor feels he is doing the right thing and I will go along with that. I hope that's not considered politics. The gas prices are from under a dollar in some stations in Madison, in Verona they have been at $1.19 for maybe 2 weeks. Since March 12th we have 241 miles on the car and about 150 of that is the Sunday we have to get out of the house and drive. No where in particular, just going. I miss looking online and buying on impulse because it fits the year I am modeling, 2015. I miss our full rental income because 64% of our tenants are unable to pay the rent. My feeling is we stay positive, the economy will come back, our health resources have been phenomenal and I mourn for the families that have lost loved ones and friend. Be safe.
TomO
I live near Philly and the furthest West I have traveled is Harrisburg, Pa.
I have been to Florida to the south And Canada to the North and I have not flown since 1990
As you can tell I don't like traveling and that is ok. My wife never liked it either.
Dave
DAVID FORTNEYI live near Philly and the furthest West I have traveled is Harrisburg, Pa.
As model railroader, George Carlin used to say, "take a chance", drive an hour further and see Gettysburg. You can hire an official park service guide and understand how the battle unfolded. If that works out, a couple more hours west will get you to Horseshoe Curve and the Altoona RR Museum.
rrebell - My apologies, I had thought it was in reply to my post...
I second the visit (when we are able) to Horseshoe curve and the museums in Altoona. Great place both of those are.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Monday here, we shall see what the stock markets do. At the end of this we shall see what the real estate markets do, rents are already going down and all the silicon valley people may be allowed to work from home, if they still have a job as bosses have learned who is valuble and who is not. Office space is expected to go down 25%, like I said before, glad I am no longer a landlord.
rrebell Monday here, we shall see what the stock markets do. At the end of this we shall see what the real estate markets do, rents are already going down and all the silicon valley people may be allowed to work from home, if they still have a job as bosses have learned who is valuble and who is not. Office space is expected to go down 25%, like I said before, glad I am no longer a landlord.
Here in Maryland the real estate market is almost unaffected. Prices may actually be up a few points, inventory is low, sales are steady. The rental market is somewhat frozen because you cannot evict or get rental judgements, but houses are available and rents asked are unchanged.
We just signed a contract to sell our big Queen Anne, I doubt we would have gotten a higher price by much no matter what.
We will be putting a previous rental on the sale market soon, that price range seems pretty hot actually.
We will see in a few weeks.
ATLANTIC CENTRALWe just signed a contract to sell our big Queen Anne
Hi Sheldon,
Congratulations on selling that magnificent home! I'm glad that you were able to get a good price for it.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
If the stay at home pandemic restrictions have accomplished nothing else, they have given me ample time to ballast the track on my new layout.
My one problem is trying to find 70% isopropyl alcohol which I use as a wetting agent before applying the glue mix.
It crossed my mind that I could stretch out a bottle of alcohol by mixing it with water. Bingo, a 50/50 mix works just fine. Who knew?
Rich
Alton Junction
hon30critter ATLANTIC CENTRAL We just signed a contract to sell our big Queen Anne Hi Sheldon, Congratulations on selling that magnificent home! I'm glad that you were able to get a good price for it. Dave
ATLANTIC CENTRAL We just signed a contract to sell our big Queen Anne
Thanks Dave. That house has been the adventure of a lifetime, but is now time for a new adventure. Interestingly the buyers are not unlike Donna and I when we bought it. In their late 30's with a big brood of children.
That is a great house for kids, pool, space, back off the road, 5 bedrooms, two or three "family" rooms.
Got to go now, take care,
On to other things, top of rhe morning to you all. Went to my moms yesterday, she fine at 98. went to store (safeway), out of alot of things or almost out but lots of expencive toilet paper. I like Sabra hummus and I was out of one of the flavors and the stuff lasts forever, they had marked it 1/2 off so I bought two and was out of my favorite tortia chips to go with but they had plenty and even got non crushed ones (real problem out here as clerks just shove them into their holes everywhere). Went to a place to eat we have never been before (of course take out only), it was pretty bad because of the bread loaves they used the chicken itself was great though, we will proubly never go back, should have gone Mod pizza instead (its a place where the make pizzas to go and be custom for $8.99 for 11", great place if you like lots of toppings). Will proubly work on layout later today but need to do some soulder work before I top it out.
Ninety-eight is a pretty ripe age. My mothers father lived to 97 and my dads mother lived to just shy of 92. My dad turned 90 last March but has been in declining health since he fell and hit his head on the pavement going out to the mailbox fall 2018. His memory had been getting not so good by summer of 2018 but he was still driving. The result of the fall was TBI and accelerating dimentia since then; I saw him last Wednesday and he basically was sleeping and when his eyes opened, he didn't seem to know me but I couldn't tell. My sister called last night to report he had passed away while in the hospital. Tested negative for Corona but just passed away natural causes. I was sad that he passed away but his quality of life was no good so in a way, a release.
Complicating matters, my mother has been very difficult for a long time and never has accepted any of the spouses her adult children married. Two of us, myself and my youngest sister are married and have the worst relationship with my mother. The other two sisters are divorced and no-conindicence have a better relationship. In fact my mother has never met my wife - we've been married 10 years. So yeah, fun times, not. Not sure how the funeral will go down with COVID19 and all that rot.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I am having a hard time accepting that there will be a new reality as described by the talking head experts where:
That said, there was live picture of Times Square NYC this am and I could only see one person walking around and no cars.
edit Rio I missed your post. I am sorry for your loss.
riogrande5761My sister called last night to report he had passed away while in the hospital.
Rio, sorry for your loss. Even though he was ill and unresponsive, it's still difficult to lose a loved one. Funerals are a hard issue during these times. Several in my area have had a small service at the grave, and plan a memorial service for later.
That's a tough family situation with parents and in-laws.
Very sorry for your loss.
Another reminder: This thread is for discussion of the impact of the coronavirus on your hobby. Iguanas and other wildlife are off topic. If this thread goes that far afield again, I will assume that it's served its original purpose and lock it.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com