The GF and I got our senior passes a few years back, before they changed the price structure and made them more expensive. Ours are still lifetime passes. They cost $12. Now, the same lifetime pass is $80, a single year senior pass is $20. We've used them a couple of times. I use to go to Acadia in Maine frequently. J.D. Rockefeller built the park as a private estate before giving to the Park Service as a permanent national treasure.
If they tried to build something like Acadia today, they would end up fighting rules and regulations. The carriage trails that are the real charm of the park would be paved and the quiet and beauty would be gone. Take your mountain bike. You'll need the gears.
There is a tourist train nearby in Ellsworth. It doesn't go anywhere now, but in the old days it was the connection to New York and points west.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
SeeYou190York1 It's a trial program for the Park Service to limit the number of people into the parks. Right now, five of the National Parks require reservations: Yosemite, Acadia, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and Haleakalā. And there is what I see as a terrible danger. The program gets extended, and the "processing fee" goes up. Then our sacred public lands become off limits to the lower classes. Who knows how many lifetime passes have been issued? This program can make all of those meaningless. I had plans to spend weeks every year in these parks for my retirement. This is a slippery slope.
I think they are trying to limit crowds. I suspect that the Parks get crowded by many of the same people using the Park frequently, sort of hogging the space that infrequent visitors would otherwise use in comfort.
Its not perfect, but I would think that limiting the amount of visits one family could attend each season would help keep it accessible to all. Maybe a fee is supposed to be a deterrent for a regular to keep hogging the space whereas an infrequent visitor would think of it as a special occasion worth spending the money.
The country is getting more crowded but the Parks aren't gaining capacity, they are what they are.
- Douglas
There are five parks they're limiting visitors for. There are lots of National Parks, but for some reason these five are mobbed while many of the others are pretty much empty and unknown. All are beautiful and you can feel your blood pressure dropping as you cross the threshold. I have great affection for those parks. I used to take my mountain bike down an old railroad bed by my house and end up at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
I don't go to a National Park to find crowds I go to find solitude. Places like Yosemite or Yellowstone should be seen, but not overdone.
My layout has a sign, specifically in the National Park font, that announces "Gump Forest National Park." Of course, there's no such park, but it's my layout, so there is such a park in my world.
Ken Welcome back. A couple tragedies while you were gone. Randy died of covid and herringchoker was diagnosed with something bad and said his goodbyes.
My first time in Yosemite was in 1975. The campground was extremely close and crowded. I think they still had the Fire Fall then (some guy would start a bonfire at the top of the cliff and kick it over, where it fell harmlessly on rocks) but I did not know about it or see it.
I was there again in 2004 and I think they had park buses that took us past half dome.
I was in Glacier...immm 1990's and they had these cool buses we did not ride.
We did not see any bears but we stayed in the old railroad hotel, much like the one at Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. There was an Amtrak station a couple hundred feet away and the train was always late.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
maxmanSomewhere in this general catch-all thread there was a minor discussion of teams choking, especially in the SE Pa area. We can now renew the 76's membership to this list. So bad that even the Heimlich couldn't save them.
Grumble, grumble, grumble. Well, we still have the Phillies (ugh). Maybe the Eagles with a new coach? Give me a break, I'm trying.
Billwiz maxman Somewhere in this general catch-all thread there was a minor discussion of teams choking, especially in the SE Pa area. We can now renew the 76's membership to this list. So bad that even the Heimlich couldn't save them. Grumble, grumble, grumble. Well, we still have the Phillies (ugh). Maybe the Eagles with a new coach? Give me a break, I'm trying.
maxman Somewhere in this general catch-all thread there was a minor discussion of teams choking, especially in the SE Pa area. We can now renew the 76's membership to this list. So bad that even the Heimlich couldn't save them.
Well, you know what they say about my states football team. They can't eat cereal because every time they get close to the bowl they choke.....
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
BigDaddyKen Welcome back. A couple tragedies while you were gone. Randy died of covid and herringchoker was diagnosed with something bad and said his goodbyes.
I'm walking a fine line here. Some of you know I am a pastor. I just lifted you all up in prayer. This has been such an incredibly hard year (plus) for so many.
Good evening all.
Zoe - A RBF please. Thanks.
Model trains - Ever work on a model for a while, then think of a different way of doing it? I just did that....
I was working on a Kato locomotive shell to prep for painting, and thought "Let me get the details, like cab sunshades, air horn, and hand grabs that won't interfere with decals on, and then scrub and prime.
So, I started trimming detail parts off the sprues, and applying them.
Then I thought about the details that would interfere, and thought "Well, they are all the same color so why don't I just leave these ones on the sprue.........."
My next thought was "Yep, I'm an idiot......"
All of those details on that sprue will be the same color........ And not necissarily the body color....
So, I figured it was time to take a break.....
Kevin - Stinks that they had their silly rule change, and not every park. Not much that can be argued about though. But I agree, the rangers *should* have been a bit more polite in explaining things... That was a little more irksome I feel.
There's a right way to explain things, and a wrong way, and unfortunately they chose the latter instead of the former...
Hopefully your remaining trip is less annoying.
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day!
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.
JDawgWell, you know what they say about my states football team. They can't eat cereal because every time they get close to the bowl they choke....
At least you can get the left over cereal. All we get is crow.
BillwizSome of you know I am a pastor. I just lifted you all up in prayer
Didn't know that. Thought I felt a little lighter today. See you live in Morgantown. We're almost neighbors. I live one Turnpike exit east of you in Eagle.
BillwizSome of you know I am a pastor. I just lifted you all up in prayer.
I didn't know that but thank you. Maybe it will slide by the censors. We all need all the help we can get these days.
The guy that does Rons Trains on Youtube is a pastor too. I was married by a brother in law who is a pastor. He is now an ex-brother in law for reasons that no one has shared with me. One of my rules is don't ask question you don't want the answer to, so I am happy to be ignorant.
Good Evening,
Still nothing from TF, very unusual for him to be absent this long. If anyone has his name and address, send me a PM and I will try to track him down.
Kevin, I really enjoyed your travelogue. I didn't realize there were so many arid areas in the western US.
The mixed freight has finished its run and now the Maple Leaf Limited is about to pull out with the U2g Nothern on point.
Time for tea,
CN Charlie
Howdy ...
TF ... Where are you ?
CN Charlie... Good to hear your U2g is busy hauling trains.
Kevin ... Thanks for sharing your pictures ... I was in Rocky Mountain National Park many years ago and I recall the road had more than enough cars. I can image it would be worse with the growth in population. So inam guessing they are thinking of ways to constrain the number of visitors. Living can't be simple anymore because of too many people. Henry... I like that old bus in your photo.
Billwiz ... I don't recall meeting you in the Diner before. Welcome. The pastor that married my wife and I is a model railroader . Also Der John ( Der5997 ) who posts in the Diner is a pastor or a retired one.
We still have company from out of town. So I'm being brief. Good night everybody.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
BillwizI'm walking a fine line here. Some of you know I am a pastor. I just lifted you all up in prayer.
Hi Billwiz,
I don't think you have done anything wrong at all. You simply stated that you had prayed for us. That is a far cry from preaching to us, which would clearly violate the rules.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evening all, the heatwave continues here but it is nice and cool tonight. 24c right now.
Loaded the four dogs up in the new Highlander and headed West to the pacific ocean to a quiet people-less spot and let them swim for an hour or two. They are all now sleeping with big smiles on their faces. The Highlander does not smell so new anymore.
My daughter is choosing her courses for University tonight and is all excited to be going back after home study for a year. Paid for her living accommodation all that time but the landlord cut it to half just so she would not lose my daughter as her tenant. Her landlord is a professor at the University and my daughter lives in the downstairs (above ground) 900sqft suite in a very beautiful new house. My daughter is an honours student and so gets first crack at the course selection. She says she is going to spend her entire life going to University she loves it so much. I said to her she will likely end up being a professor there and she agreed, although medicine is still where her studies are taking her. The University offered her two jobs yesterday out of the blue, so she may be going back early as it will be full time through the summer and one day a week once school starts. I will miss her as we talk long into the night often solving the world's problems.
Bill, I am probably the biggest heathen on the forum and I am fine with you offering up prayers. (Pre-pandemic) we always had a crowd in for Hockey Night every Saturday and one of my best friends is a very devout muslim who I love dearly. The best thing about him being a devout Muslim is he doesn't drink all my rum, scotch or beer like the other bums that show up.
I always have positive thoughts for those that need them. Call them what you will.
I wish TF would make roll call, not like him. This new covid Variant hits fast and hard and he was not getting vaccinated so I am concerned.
Carry on and all the best to all.
For TF. He's a UFO guy.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
JaBearDid you see any Knights in the vicinity?
I checked around, but all I found were some written letters that somebody never meant to send.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hello fellow diners!
Today was the climax of our travels this month (not including visits with family and friends).
The DURANGO AND SILVERTON NARROW GUAGE RAILROAD...
This was an excellent way to spend the morning.
We opted for the short "express" trip that runs to Cascade and back to Durango.
They have an amazing collection of equipment.
These old train cars still have K brakes!
This is the scenery I came to Colorado to see.
I shot over 4,000 pictures while riding the train. Normally when I am taking photographs I am like a sniper. I set the camera up, aim carefully, and take one shot. Today I was like a machine gunner. I set the camera to continuous shooting mode and took about 10 pictures of every subject I saw.
It will take me weeks to go through all these and pick out the goodies. They will be showing up as "The World Is A Beautiful Place" pictures for years.
This is a quick sample.
This railroad provided the best view of Colorado I have seen in three days. I am so happy I went. My wife also had a great time.
The reason we took the short trip was because we also wanted to visit Mesa Verde National Park.
This was a great park to visit, and I am on better terms with the National Park Service after today.
This was also lots of amazing scenery and views.
In the park there are dozens of ancient structures that have been excavated and preserved.
Some are underground.
Some are just remains of foundations.
And some are carved and constructed into the cliff walls. These were amazing. Since I will never get to see Petra, these will do.
We ate dinner at a local Mexican Restaurant in Colorado before heading to New Mexico for the evening.
We had to drive very slow through New Mexico. There were herds of deer on the roadway. We saw at least two dozen, five were on the road, and two required panic stops.
I have never seen wildlife this active. I averaged less than 30 miles per hour for the last 80 miles of the drive. We did not get the the hotel until 12:45 AM.
But we were safe, and no deer were harmed.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
SeeYou190I checked around, but all I found were some written letters that somebody never meant to send.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
maxmanDidn't know that. Thought I felt a little lighter today. See you live in Morgantown. We're almost neighbors. I live one Turnpike exit east of you in Eagle.
My daughter goes to school in Chester Springs. I know Eagle well.
Heartland Division CB&QBillwiz ... I don't recall meeting you in the Diner before. Welcome. The pastor that married my wife and I is a model railroader . Also Der John ( Der5997 ) who posts in the Diner is a pastor or a retired one.
I tend to sit in a back booth keeping to myself, but listening in on the conversation! Seems like a lot of clergy are model railroaders (like Rev. Lovejoy on the Simpsons), not sure why.
Billwiz Seems like a lot of clergy are model railroaders
Good morning, everyone. Bacon, eggs, and coffee, please.
We had storms last night, but not much rain and not much damage.
Kevin, another great set of pictures. Mesa Verde is a neat place. Is the Durango and Silverton the railroad that is fighting Colorado right now about some fire damage?
MisterBeasley, my wife and I have the same park passes. They have really gotten a workout the past several years since retirement.
Henry, those red buses are still working at Glacier Park.
Billwiz, welcome to the diner. Thanks for the prayers!
RickyW, your modeling problems sound strangely familiar. It seems like just about every day I do something that, afterwards, I know I should have done completely different. One of the advantages of getting old is that the memory allows things to be forgotten quickly.
Garry, enjoy your company. We are having visitors coming and staying tomorrow, so more house cleaning today.
I find Facetime is a useful thing, except for giving a hug! (Just had a long talk, tonight, I think I’m her safety valve, which I don’t mind.)
Bear, my long talks with one of my daughters usually involves her house. She and her husband bought an old house, and they have the constant fixing and remodeling. She can spend an hour on the phone telling about her money pit.
For everyone else who I haven't mentioned, I hope everything is going well with you.
York1 John
York1Kevin, another great set of pictures. Mesa Verde is a neat place. Is the Durango and Silverton the railroad that is fighting Colorado right now about some fire damage?
Thank you for the compliment. I had a blast photographing from the train. It was one of those experiences that when it is over I was so happy I had done it.
I loved Mesa Verde. I only went on one hiking trail, briefly, becuase it was so late in the day, but it seemed like a wonderful place. I hope to be back.
I do not know anything about a confrontation with the State of Colorado over a fire. I only saw a couple of small places where it looked like a fire might have happened.
The SEMINOLE GULF RAILWAY caused a fire in Fort Myers (started by an internal engine failure in a generator on their Dinner Train) many years ago, and I know that incident carried out for a long time.
The Manticore is part LION part Scorpion.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
While this article is about British Railway modelling clergy, you may find it interesting reading.
Fascinating article, thanks.
Kevin : nice Colorado pics
Bill: thanks for Prayers.
some one send me a brisket sandwhich
BroadwayLion The Manticore is part LION part Scorpion. ROAR
Try not to sting yourself in your sleep.
Good evening all. A large coffee please, Janie.
Just a short visit. My eyes are 'stinging' after the visit to hospital. Got to have operations so I can see properly. Hope it will be soon.
Billwiz. Welcome to the Diner. Thanks for the prayers.
Bear. Interesting about the British modelers who were in the clergy. I grew up reading about them.
Others. I shall catch up later.
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
afternoon all,
Been a nice coupe of days here 70's low 80's. I need to mow the back yard jungle , but have been messing with the new 3d printer. Not much going on at work. just work, getting ready to move our phone system to a updated call manager, I had to reprogram 140 phones to point to the new server as that model phone will not get the automagic upgrade. well you then you could not call those phones using 4 digit dialing from inside the hospital. So our voice team had to sort out the programming.
“I will miss her as we talk long into the night often solving the world's problems.” Just be prepared for an expensive phone bill, Batman, though with my daughter, I find Facetime is a useful thing, except for giving a hug! (Just had a long talk, tonight, I think I’m her safety valve, which I don’t mind.)
We talk to our kids constantly when they are away at University. We have a computer set up in the kitchen and the kids are always dropping in to say hi, usually while we are eating dinner, of course then it is 9 or 10 in the evening in Ottawa. If one is online talking to us it shows up for the other one who will then also join in. They will leave the connection open for extended periods just so they can watch the dogs while they study.
I was busy today, It was only $17.00 to rent the scaffold, that's a deal!
Before
After
During
And where all good Christmas trees end up, so do chandeliers.
I could use a belt but it is only 1500hrs, I'll wait for the hockey game to start in two hours and ease the pain then with the Captain.
I am too old for such exploits.
All the best to all.
One ten-mile push coming up.