A pioneer cabin and the Cass Scenic Railroad

Monday morning, I left my “Cozy Cottage” in Weaverville and drove up through absolutely stunning scenery to Seneca State Park, where I had booked two nights in a “Pioneer Cabin” on a small lake. I had planned to do a bit of hiking and maybe float around in my kayak. Alas, the weather had other plans.

I got there late afternoon and sat by the lake, had a beer (maybe two…😆) and read a book in the sun. I didn’t realize that would be the last time I’d see the sun for several days! The next day brought torrential rain with thunder and lighting. The cabin was snug and warm, with gas lights and fridge, a wood cook stove, an enclosed porch and a stone fireplace big enough to roast an entire wild boar, if I had been so inclined.

True to the “pioneer” vibe, there was a hand-pump for water, and a privy up a somewhat precarious flight of stairs. The hand-pump was a bit finicky but luckily a man staying in the cabin next door came out to show me the specifics and lend a bit of muscle. I filled the provided 5-gallon container, which proved to be enough for my stay. (They had a shower house down by the main entrance, as well as WiFi, both which were quite appreciated!)

I made a fire inside the humungous fireplace and knit and read another book. I didn’t feel like firing up the gigantic wood cook stove for just me, but I had my little gas back-packing stove which was sufficient. I had plenty of food, coffee, tea and also a bottle of wine. I was perfectly content.

On Wednesday, I drove the few miles up to Cass, West Virginia, to ride the Scenic Railroad. On a steam locomotive. 😁

There was a little museum near the depot, with many interesting artifacts. Cass was a logging town back in the day, and the railroad was a huge part of the operation.

The weather was still not great, but everyone was in good spirits as the train chugged up the mountain to Bald Knob. The cars were covered, but open to the elements and I was glad I had dressed in layers and grabbed my down vest. The cars were built on old logging cars…once they carried timber instead of curious tourists. We passed the old saw mill and the machine shop.

We made a couple of switchbacks on the way up, and had to stop once for the engine to take on water. This was pumped from a natural spring. The steepest grade was about 9%, which is pretty steep for a steam locomotive. The fireman had to continually shovel coal to keep the steam up. Sometimes we were pulled and sometimes pushed, depending on the switchback.

Finally we got to Bald Knob, which apparently has spectacular views. However….THIS was our view! 🤣🤣🤣

On the way back down, we stopped at the old logging site of Whitaker. The weather had cleared a bit so we could see through the trees and there was some fascinating old machinery and replicas of the shacks that the workers lived in.

There is nothing that sounds like a steam locomotive whistle. Nothing. It’s always a thrill to hear it and I am so glad that these magnificent and beautiful old machines are being cared for and kept in operation. I feel like each engine must have a story to tell from back in the day when they transported giant logs and made daily trips on the mountain to bring the timber down to the mill.

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze

A course in advanced carpentry at “Wild Abundance” in NC

I have always loved the idea of building things, but I’ve always been nervous about using power tools. Last year, I decided to try to conquer my fears. I took a class in basic carpentry specifically for women at a place called “Wild Abundance” near Asheville, NC. They sent a list of required and recommended tools and I decided to splurge and get ALL of them. The most basic tools (and the ones used all the time) turned out to be REALLY basic…a speed square, measuring tape, and carpenter’s pencil.

I also got myself a really nice Makita cordless drill and impact driver (which is kind of like a screwdriver on steroids,) a cordless circular saw and a whole lot of other accoutrements I was sure would come in handy.

I drove down to North Carolina, learned some things (and it really WAS basic…they started with “how to use a tape measure”) and came home with a bit more confidence and a hand-made shelf.

But I wanted more. Specifically, I wanted to build a shed for our backyard to replace the crappy snap-together Rubbermaid monstrosity with the leaking roof and door that kept coming off the hinges. So I signed up for the “advanced” class, where we would actually build a structure from start to finish. I was not disappointed.

Wild Abundance has a new campus, which is a work in progress. It’s outdoors, with several brand-new timber-framed structures and stunning scenery. A great place to work and learn!

The class started with a review of all the power tools we had learned about last time.

We began with the floor…actually with the skids that go under the floor. This is so you can easily move and support the building after it’s constructed. The flooring is glued down before screwing it into the joists.

Of course, we had plans to follow. And we learned how to adapt and modify those plans, according to the wishes (and whims) of the client. We were building this shed at the request of one of the instructors, who was going to install it on her own property. There were plenty of jokes about how “picky” the client was. 🙄🤣

We learned how to build the front and back walls and how to install and support them. Side walls went up after. Levels were used and I learned how to do a proper “toe-screw.”

There was a demonstration of how to install a window…and I actually think I could do it myself.

Many people brought their own tools with them, but the school has a huge inventory of every tool you could possibly need.

We moved on to installing plywood sheathing and learning how to cut and place it properly on the studs. Metal flashing was used along the seams and I got to use my new hammer. 🔨

The joists for the roof had to be specially notched, which was a very particular job involving some free-cuts with a circular saw. I did not do those, but I found out that they make MINI circular saws, which look much easier to handle. The roof also had spacers on the sides, which had to be ripped at an angle using a table saw. Not a job for amateurs; we let the instructors handle that! It was really fun to watch it all come together.

On the last day of class, we gathered for a “closing circle” where we could share our thoughts, suggestions and ideas. The other group had built a sauna, which looked MUCH more difficult! So many angles!

As usual I had brought knitting to keep myself occupied during any down time. I decided to make each instructor a hat as a thank-you gift. They came out really well.

I had a fantastic experience at Wild Abundance and now feel confident I can build the shed of my dreams …or, at least a shed that will work for my backyard!

I’d hammer out danger
I’d hammer out a warning
I’d hammer out love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land…

Atlanta Braves, Jimmy Carter and connecting with a couple of old friends…

It was a relative short drive from Chattanooga to Atlanta. My primary reason for visiting Atlanta was to go to Truist Park for a Braves game. Many folks I know who’ve been to numerous ballparks have named Truist as their “favorite.” It was not mine.

First of all, getting there was crazy. I had chosen to stay downtown, at the “Inn at the Peachtrees” mainly because any hotel near the ballpark was ridiculously expensive. (As were the tickets to the game!) The hotel was nice, and I got there early enough to have a shower and nap.

From the information I gathered, I assumed that public transportation would take me there without too much difficulty. That turned out to be an erroneous assumption.

I was going to take the MARTA rail northbound to the Arts Center and then change for the Number 10 Express bus, which showed a stop very close to the stadium. When I walked up to the MARTA station, the northbound side was closed…they were doing some kind of track work and all trains were running on the southbound side. So I schlepped over to that side and tried to buy a ticket, only the machine wouldn’t take any of my credit cards. I finally used cash. I got on a train…only it was running the wrong way. I got off at the next stop and saw a young man in a Dodgers shirt. I asked him if he was going to the game and he was and turns out he was as confused as I was. We finally got on the right train and got off at the Arts Center.

Upon checking the schedule again, we found we had missed the 10 bus by seconds. The next one didn’t come for another 28 minutes. And, to make matters more interesting, the schedule no longer showed a stop close to the stadium. The nearest stop was almost a miles walk. Argh! I asked my new friend (his name was Justin) if he wanted to split a ride on Lyft. $10 each. He agreed and we were able to get to the park before first pitch! (I then lost track of him, which was too bad, because I also ended up taking a Lyft back!) I hope he had fun; he was from LA.

Beer in hand, I found my way to my seat, which was right behind home plate. Great view.

The place was certainly impressive. Very bright, very loud…sort of like a Disneyworld of ballparks. There were lots of Dodgers fans there, which was good since the Dodgers rose up and crushed the Braves at the end, getting 7 runs in the top of the ninth. It was fun for me to see Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts play.

The best part for me was their resident opera singer, Timothy Miller, who came out in the middle of the 7th and delivered an incredible a cappella rendition of “God Bless America.”

Getting back to the hotel turned out to be almost as crazy as getting to the park. But this time I had a better idea of what I was in for. I found my way to the pick-up point for shared ride services and was confronted with numerous drivers, holding signs that said “Taxi” or “Limo” and asking anyone and everyone if they wanted a ride. Curious, I inquired of one how much it would cost to take me to my hotel. He did a few calculations and then proclaimed, “Only $100!” I must confess I laughed in his face. I walked down to a nearby KFC, where many other people were waiting, and called a Lyft. It was an…interesting evening.

The next day, I visited the Jimmy Carter Center. I did not expect to be so deeply moved. He is truly a great human being and I think we didn’t appreciate what he accomplished when he was President. The grounds are peaceful and beautiful and the museum shows his history and life work. He definitely “walks the walk.”

Some notable quotes:

“My feeling is that if we refuse to try something that might fail, we lack faith either in our ourselves or in our causes and goals.”

“God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes – and we must.”

“The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.”

And finally, I had two unexpected reconnections with old friends! I had lunch with Bill Humphries, who was the youth minister at our church in Huntington. He was not “my” youth pastor, but my brothers knew him well and he officiated at my middle brother’s wedding.

And then I drove up to Alpharetta and saw my friend Cathy, whom I have not seen in 50 years! We were close in high school…then we lost touch and our lives took different paths. But another friend convinced me to reach out and I am so glad I did. Life is too damn short. We had coffee and cake and reminisced. Then she gave me the entire cake to take with me. 😆

I left later than I’d planned, but finally made it to Weaverville around 11:00pm. Tomorrow I start my advanced carpentry course!

Georgia, Georgia
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

The Choo-choo, AA Baseball and Lookout Mountain

The actual passenger train known as the “Chattanooga Choo-choo” made its final run in 1970, but the station is still there. It’s now a tourist attraction and a hotel, including some historic train cars that have been turned into accommodation. It was rainy and gloomy, but I dodged the wet and got some pictures of the replicated engine and the incredible old station.

There are nods to the “choo-choo” all throughout the town.

Right near my hostel was the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, unfortunately closed when I was there.

Born in Chattanooga, Bessie Smith was a jazz and blues singer in the 1920s and ‘30s who broke barriers of color, sexuality and musical style. Long before Cardi B shocked our puritanical ears with “WAP”, Bessie Smith was singing songs with lyrics like this:

I need a little sugar in my bowl
I need a little hot dog between my rolls
You gettin’ different, I’ve been told
Move your finger, drop something in my bowl

Chattanooga has a AA Baseball Team called the “Lookouts”, named for the mountain. I love minor-league ball; it’s fun to watch the up-and-coming players and the games are usually much more laid-back than major league (not to mention cheaper!)

I met Wanda, who has been “selling” programs for 25¢ for more than 30 years. Nowadays, the programs are free (and digital) but she still sits in her spot and cheerfully calls out to the patrons, a sign with the QR code in each hand. She was delightful.

The game was great fun. They had lots of “characters” coming on to the field, plenty of activities for the kids in between innings, decent beer and friendly players and staff.

And fireworks after the game! Turned out this was the last game of the season, as the scheduled game the next day was rained out!

The next day, I took the incline railroad up Lookout Mountain. This has been in existence since 1895. Originally powered by steam, it’s now operated by two HUGE electric engines. It’s one of the steepest incline trains in the world, with an angle of 72° at its steepest point. (Straight up would be 90° so it was pretty crazy!) It’s impossible for a picture to really show how steep it was. But it was steep! The view from the mountain top was pretty spectacular.

I was feeling a bit peckish after that train ride, and stopped off at a little brunch place right nearby. I had the gumbo (an odd choice for brunch, I know, but I was in the mood…) which was pretty decent. There was a fascinating statue outside the restaurant, depicting the human history of the town. There were little statues of people all around the wheel, showing the timeline of the folks who came through.

https://deepfriedkudzu.com/2016/08/st-elmo-a-history-in-steel-sculpture-in-chattanooga.html/

Then I was off to Atlanta, for the Braves Game and to catch up with a couple of old friends.

When you hear the whistle blowin’ eight to the bar
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Shovel all the coal in
Gotta keep it rollin’
Woo, woo, Chattanooga there you are

Bats, baseball and a bit of history

Louisville, Kentucky is known for its bourbon and for running the Kentucky Derby every year at Churchill Downs. But it is also the home of the Louisville Slugger company. For 140 years, almost all major league players get their bats made here to exacting specifications.

The building itself is easy to spot by the enormous, incredibly realistic bat standing outside. That’s, me, standing in front of it!

The Big Bat is the world’s largest baseball bat. Made of steel, it weighs 68,000 pounds and towers 120 feet into the sky. It is an exact-scale replica of Babe Ruth’s 34-inch Louisville Slugger bat. It was constructed across the river and moving it into place was quite an operation.

Once inside, there is a gallery of famous ball players and information about the bats they used. Ball players are incredibly particular (some might say superstitious) about their bats and they want them made to their exact specifications.

Ted Williams, arguably one of the greatest hitters of all time, once returned an order of bats to the factory. He said the handles “didn’t feel right.” So they remeasured them. Sure enough, the handles were off. By 5/1000 of an inch. 😳 Ted was a perfectionist…he even handpicked his own bat lumber during visits to the factory.

There was an exhibit of bats used by different players and you were allowed to choose one to “pose” with. I choose Babe Ruth. His actual bat, one that he used in an actual game! It was very heavy and apparently is the heaviest bat the museum has. I was ridiculously excited when the docent handed me the bat. I tried to do Ruth proud. 🤣🙄

Then we went into the actual factory. The tour started with a brief video about the forests they own and maintain, and the kinds of wood used to make a bat. We were taken through the process from start to finish. Even though the initial carving is now done by machine (a computerized process that cuts the basic shape in 48 seconds!) there is still lots of hand-work involved.

At the end of the tour, we each got a little “mini-bat” as a souvenir. There was more to the museum, including a short video (narrated by the late, great James Earl Jones) about famous batters and the feeling when that bat connects with the ball. There is nothing that sounds quite like it.

When I was done at the museum, I wanted to see a bit more of Louisville before heading to St. Louis but it was too hot and humid for a long walk. I noticed a sign advertising a 90-minute “trolley tour.” Perfect, I thought. It started just a few blocks from the museum and the timing was perfect.

The tour was fun and informative. We went by numerous incredible mansions, in what used to be called “millionaire’s row.”

There’s “Central Park” designed by none other than Frederick Olmsted!

We made a stop at Churchill Downs, where they hold the Kentucky Derby.

Many other interesting sites …

Then it was on to St Louis. I had booked an AirBnB in the “trendy” Central West End. However, in a senior moment, I apparently had also booked a swank hotel near the Arch…months before. 😳 Luckily I was alerted in time to cancel the hotel! The Air BnB was exactly what I needed.

The next day, I went to the Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. I took the Metro Link to the stadium early enough so I could walk by the river before the game. (I was joined on the train by a number of Cardinal’s employees.) I sat for a while by the mighty Mississippi and contemplated life.

Then, on to the game! I loved the stadium and the vibe. I sat up behind home plate, high enough so I could see all the action. Cards won, 6-1. One player got his first major-league hit and the Jumbotron showed us his proud father in the stands…and the young player grinning at his Dad after he reached first base. Baseball always has great moments.

My grandmother grew up in St. Louis…and I had another adventure related to that. But I’ll save that for another post.

Little boy in a baseball hat stands in the field with his ball and bat
Says, “I am the greatest player of them all”
Puts his bat in his shoulder and he tosses up his ball.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down,
Swings his bat all the way around

The Age of Steam and a scenic train ride in the Cuyahoga Valley.

In the little town of Sugarcreek, Ohio, there is a collection of magnificent steam engines, housed in a beautiful replica of a roundhouse built as they did in days gone by. This is the “Age of Steam” Roundhouse Museum.

Home

The roundhouse was built by Jerry Joe Jacobson, former CEO of the Ohio Central Railroad System. Jacobson kept a collection of vintage steam and diesel locomotives, other old equipment, and a depot at Sugarcreek, Ohio. He bought 34 acres in Sugarcreek and began constructing a roundhouse to house his collection. The roundhouse building was completed in 2011 and all of the steam locomotives, along with a few other select pieces of rolling stock in Jacobson’s collection, were moved inside the roundhouse that same year. It was the first large roundhouse built in the United States since 1951.

Jacobson and his wife, Laura set up an endowment to support the museum. The building is 48,000 square and has 18 stalls, each of which is large enough for a locomotive and its tender. The roundhouse is one of the largest heavy timber structures in America.

Inside this incredible structure are steam engines. Huge, majestic, magnificent steam engines…restored (as best as possible) to their former glory. And all (I’m sure!) with a story to tell.

There is a working machine shop attached to the roundhouse and there were two engines in there, being restored and repaired.

Because the place is a working roundhouse, you have to reserve a tour with a guide. The guides are highly knowledgeable about the history of each individual engine and obviously take pride in the workings of the museum.

Jerry Jacobson passed away in 2017. He is buried in a private mausoleum right across from the roundhouse. When he was laid to rest, the very first engine he acquired was rolled out of the roundhouse onto the turntable. It was then turned to face Jerry’s final resting place and they blew the whistle 21 times in his honor. Now, the foundation lovingly carries on his work and passion to bring the history of the “Age of Steam” to as many people as possible.

I stayed overnight in Sugarcreek, which is in Amish country. In addition to being the home of the Age of Steam museum, it also has the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock.

The next day, I drove up to Cuyahoga National Park to take the scenic rail trip from Peninsula to Akron (and back!) This took us along the old Ohio Erie Canal.

The weather was perfect and the scenery was gorgeous.

The train passes two little stations on the way, and people who are biking or hiking on the tow path can be picked up or let off. You have to flag the train down by crossing your arms up over your head, so the engineer knows to stop. (If you just wave one hand, he’ll wave back and keep going!)

The two “Silver Solarium” cars used to be used by Amtrak on their “California Zephyr” line. The original sleeping cars are still there on the lower level, plus the front “parlor” and observation dome.

Our conductor pointed out interesting sites along the way, including the only working farm inside the National Park. This turned out to be a huge farm stand and I made a point to stop there after the ride and pick up some delicious veggies for supper.

It was a fabulous ride and a lovely afternoon. And then I was on to my next stop, a rustic cabin on a tiny pond, where I would cook my food, have a glass of wine and relax.

Engine, engine number nine
Coming down the railroad line
I know she got on in Baltimore
A hundred and ten miles ain’t much distance
But it sure do make a difference
I don’t think she loves me anymore

A month-long road trip.

For the first time in almost 50 years, I am not starting September on some kind of school schedule. So, in celebration of my “retirement” (and also, my upcoming 70th birthday) I decided a road trip was in order. I had signed up to take a class in advanced carpentry down in North Carolina and I built the rest of the trip around that. Trains, baseball and music. Maybe a bit of hiking and kayaking, too.

I started my journey heading west. First stop – my daughter’s house, where I got to see Linden’s gymnastics class, Steve (my son-in-law) show off on the new backyard trampoline and Owen show me his nerf gun prowess.

I also got to see Linden off on her first day of 4th grade!

Then it was on to Penn Yan, where my best friend has a little cottage on Keuka Lake. We were blessed with beautiful weather to sit out and look at the water and relax! She’s made her cottage into an oasis with beautiful flowers and plantings. We’ve been friends since junior high…almost 60 years.

I had then planned to drive to Buffalo and take in a baseball game at Sahlen Field, home of the Bisons. However, there was a torrential downpour and the game was canceled. I’d already booked my hotel (a mediocre Best Western, meh) and I didn’t want to drive into downtown. So I found myself at the “Hofbraühaus” – a pretty good German beer hall with live music, decent food (I had sauerbraten with excellent homemade spatzel and red cabbage) and imported German beer. That’s a Dunkel…a traditional dark lager.

I made an early night of it, and today I’m off to Sugarcreek, Ohio – home of the world’s largest cuckoo clock. 😆 (And also some magnificent steam engines.)

On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again