Thursday, December 13, 2012

THINGS I SAW FLYING

In the month of October, I observed several things flying in the sky that I had never seen. I had heard may reports of their existence, but had never been able to put my eyeballs on them before. Here are two things that have been around for may decades.






You may have seen this next one on TV as if landed at LAX

Saturday, November 10, 2012

GRAND CANYON STEAM TRAIN

About a month ago or so, I joined about 10 members of the Golden Spike chapter of FMCA (Family Motor Coach Ass.) in riding a railroad train that was pulled by a 2-8-0 steam engine. We pulled out of the Williams, AZ station and fun ensued.
 




 
After 2.25 hrs. we arrived at the railroad station at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
 

Now we can get up-close and personal with the steam engine.

 



Fireman's side of the cab.




I found a place away from the crowd where one could meditate.









After several hours at the canyon, it was time to catch the train back to Williams.



Of course no train ride in the old west would be complete without a train robbery.

 
Soon, we would arrive back at the Williams Depot and the sun would set upon another delightful Golden Spike outing!
 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO FUN

On my way south from Salem, Oregon, I spent a few days in an unique place called San Francisco. I did some of the usual tourist stuff like, ride the cable cars.




 
The MOST FUN thing I did was go on one of the MANY types of tours. A very unusual tour to say the least. It was on a 1955 Mack Fire Engine.
 
 
 
 

We crossed over the Golden Gate Bridge both ways on our tour of parts of San Francisco. They rang the bell and beeped the air horn and waved to the people walking on the bridge.




We stepped down from the fire engine to stretch our legs when we arrived at Camp Baker.


 
On our way back to San Francisco, we drove UNDER the bridge.


The whole tour was narrated by the young lady that sat beside the driver. IF YOU EVER get to San Francisco, not only put some flowers in your hair, but take the Fire Engine Tour! You won't be sorry!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

THE SHADY DELL PACIFIC

 
The town of Molalla, Oregon is home for a very fine 7.5-inch gauge railroad. The goal is to provide a family oriented place to picnic and watch and/or ride trains. Their layout winds about on four acres with mature shad trees. While staying in Salem this summer, I took grandsons Aaron and Andrew to explore this facility. Needles to say we had a good time. Here are a few pictures of our visit:


 

 


 

Sunday, July 15, 2012

SCHREINER'S IRIS GARDEN

One of the things that I discovered while spending three months in Salem, Oregon this summer, was this beautiful place known as the "Iris Garden". It is located only five miles from the RV park where I am staying. The 10-acre garden is only open from the middle of May to the middle of June. They have about 60 varieties of Irises on display. Shonda and Jim went with me to take in the colorful plants. Shonda bought several plants to be shipped to her house in Apple Valley in September. She will try and get them to grow there. Here are a few pictures of the garden:



                                  





Below are several hundred acres of Iris plants to sell