Sleeper train to St. Paul and freezing my ass off at the ball game!

I got myself to the King Street Station in Seattle in plenty of time, only to find out that my train was (predictably) delayed. Apparently it had arrived late from Chicago…and they had to get it ready for the trip back east. Fortunately the delay was under an hour, and since I was going to be on the train for two days, this wasn’t a big deal.

The King Street Station is quite elegant, with chandeliers, marble columns and a very elegant vibe. Unfortunately, no bar or restaurant. I got some pretzels from the vending machine.

The train finally rolled in and I was soon ensconced in my little “roomette.” I love the train…it’s relaxing and comfortable and you are not required to do anything. Meals are included when you get a sleeper and the food is pretty good. And they have wine and beer, if you so choose! I had my knitting and my Kindle and a pillow.

This route passes through Glacier National Park and although it was cloudy and a bit foggy, there were some beautiful views.

We made a couple of stops where you were invited to get out and stretch your legs. This is the bustling town of Shelby, Montana. Population 3,169.

The train pulled into St. Paul’s Union Depot only about 30 minutes late. I made my way over to the light rail and took it two stops to my hotel. It was called “Celeste of St. Paul” and was in an old convent! They had kept many of the features and character of the place and it felt quite cozy.

Even though it was way before check-in time, my room was ready! I had considered going to a museum or something but most museums and historical places are closed on Monday. Plus, it was cold outside and I was tired. And my room was warm and comfortable, with a wonderful view. I settled in, made a cup of tea, read for a while and took a nap!

The game at Target Field started at 6:40 and the temperature was dropping. I bundled up, grabbed my down blanket and headed back to the light rail. Very convenient, with a stop right at the field. Once I got there, I got the requisite beer and found my seat. It was cold, windy and wet. But they were playing ball. The field was brightly lit, and the people very friendly. Everyone was bundled up against the cold but in high spirits, in spite of the fact that the Twins were sucking mightily. They did have great sound and video effects, however.

Even with my down blanket wrapped around my entire body, I was cold all the way through. After a few innings, I made my way to one of the enclosed “pub” spaces. No chairs, but big windows and you could see (but not hear) the game. I struck up a conversation with several other folks…all of whom were Mets fans. It seemed there were more Mets fans than Twins fans at this game. The weather did not improve and nether did the Twins playing.

By the end of the 7th, I had had enough. I said goodbye to my companions and headed back towards the light rail. (Mets won, 5-1)

As I walked the few blocks back to my hotel, I noticed that the stained glass window in the church across the street was beautifully lit.

The next morning, I was so happy to able to meet up with an old friend of mine from when I worked in London. Khrisslyn taught German at ACS when I was a music teacher there. Time was short, but we decided we could at least meet for coffee before my train and before she had to be at work. The place I had picked for breakfast was closed until 8:00am. The two places in the station itself were also closed and the coffee vending machine was broken! Determined not to be thwarted, Khrisslyn fearlessly downloaded Door Dash on her phone and had coffee delivered to us. It was her first time doing this, and she was ridiculously pleased about it. We had such a fun time reconnecting.

Union Station in St Paul is a beautiful old train station built in 1917 and recently refurbished and re-opened.

I boarded the train, put my feet up and gazed out the window as we moved on toward Milwaukee!

Cloudy
The sky is grey and white and cloudy
Sometimes I think it’s hanging down on me
And it’s hitchhike a hundred miles
I’m a ragamuffin child
Pointed finger-painted smile
I left my shadow waiting down the road for me a while

A cross-country train trip…with baseball along the way!

Sometime during the cold of last winter, I decided it would be be fun to try to see a bunch of baseball games in different parts of the country and it would additionally be fun to do it all by train. This meant I had to make sure the team schedules lined up with the train schedules and made logistical sense. After a few false starts, I finally determined a way to make it work…I would fly to Seattle and then train my way back home. I actually began on the train from Worcester to Logan Airport.

The flight to Seattle was cramped and long, but uneventful. When I got to Seattle it was (typically) raining. I took the light rail into downtown and found my hostel. The “Green Tortoise” Hostel.

As I walked the few blocks, I passed the Seattle Symphony and happened to see the program for that night posted. Dvořák’s “New World Symphony.” The box office was right there and I couldn’t pass it up. Snagged an orchestra seat for a discount. I was able to take a little nap and get some food before the concert…which was terrific. There’s nothing like a full, symphony orchestra. They also played Bartok and a newly commissioned violin concerto with the composer in attendance.

The next morning, I was still a bit jet-lagged, but did a bit of walking around. The hostel is right across from the Public Market, with the famous fish-throwing stall, live entertainment, all kinds of delicious food and drink and lots of little craft shops. And many pigs. There are also great views of the bay.

Then it was time for baseball. The Seattle Mariners vs the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. First ball park I’ve ever been to with a retractable roof, which was open for the duration of the game. (Apparently they CAN close it during a game if it starts to rain!)

I really liked the ballpark and sat next to some season ticket holders who apprised me of the different players. Mariners won, 5 – 3! and I got there in time to get a free hat.

The next day was breezy but sunny. I walked along the water and it was warm enough to sit and knit for a while.

I walked into “Pioneer Square” which is the oldest part of Seattle and where the burly, brawny men (and some women) started their trek to Alaska and fame and fortune during the Gold Rush. Some very cool buildings.

And now…I am waiting to board the train to Minneapolis/St Paul. Got myself a snug little sleeper room and will arrive Monday morning. The Twins play Monday night!

The bluest skies you’ve ever seen are in Seattle
And the hills the greenest green in Seattle
Like a beautiful child growing up free and wild
Full of hopes and full of fears
Full of laughter full of tears
Full of dreams to last the years in Seattle

Heading back home and takin’ my time.

After almost a month down south, it was time to head back up north to the snow and ice. I planned to take my sweet old time, and wanted to do some sight-seeing and also connect with folks that I hadn’t seen in a long time. My first stop was Augusta, Georgia, where I had booked a small apartment through AirBnB and hoped to explore along the Riverwalk.

The apartment was actually quite nice and roomy – except for the curiously tiny bathroom. When the weather cleared, I did take a stroll down on the river. But the whole city was oddly deserted; a friend later told me that this was a “summer destination.” Who knew? At any rate, I was happy to rest and watch Netflix in more luxurious place than the Chicken Coop.

After 2 days of sluggish rest, I continued north towards Raleigh. I stayed in another AirBnB, right near the city center. I had an early supper at an excellent little West African joint. Chicken and Jollof rice, a staple in Nigeria and obviously homemade. They also had homemade lemonade which was excellent.

The next day, I connect with Emma, my daughter’s half-sister. It was fun, because I know her (of course) but she is quite a bit younger than my kids and so I’ve never really sat down and talked to her. At 29, she is a very self-posessed and interesting young woman and we had a great time chatting over crepes.

She gave me several suggestions of where to go in Raleigh – unfortunately it was Monday, so all museums were closed and the weather was cold, windy and not really conducive to being outside. However, the sun DID peek out later in the day and I had a nice walk in the sculpture park.

Later that same afternoon, I discovered a hidden “treasure” (well, only a treasure if you are a fan of trains and their history.) There is an old engine turntable, that was part of an actual roundhouse in downtown Raleigh. It’s listed on Google Maps, but there is no sign or anything directing you there. I followed the map and ended up at what looked like a dead-end, but I could see railroad tracks above the rise. I pulled into a small parking lot next to a building and an older black man came out and looked at me rather suspiciously. He said, “Can I help you?” and I explained that I was looking for the turntable. His attitude changed immediately and he knew exactly what I was talking about. He told me where to park and said I had to walk up the hill. I walked up the gravel and through what seemed to be a genuine “Hobo Camp” of old. Nobody bothered me, although I got a couple of curious looks. When I got to the top, I could see the turntable and remnants of the foundation of the roundhouse. It was actually pretty cool.

It is called the “Seaboard Air Line Railway Turntable.” This is an arial view.

More snow was predicted for the next day, and I had plans to head up towards Richmond. I left early enough to beat the worst of it and met up with my friend Glynn, whom I hadn’t seen in well over 30 years! We worked together at the Bay Farm Academy Montesorri School – she was the art teacher. It was so fantastic to catch up…both our lives have taken many twists and turns since those days.

By the time we had finished lunch, the snow was looking more like the real stuff. I headed up towards Fredericksburg, where I had booked a Days Inn. Gotta love a Days Inn – they’re cheap, convenient and the room had all the basics. I ordered pizza and spent the next six hours knitting and bingeing episodes of “Law & Order – SVU.” A perfect evening.

The next day, although there was serious snow on the ground, it wasn’t coming down from the sky anymore. The visibility was still not great, but I took my time getting up to Tacoma Park in Maryland, where I met another old friend from my time in London. Anthony, who is originally from New Zealand, was my traveling companion for most of the time I lived in the UK – he was funny, bright and up for anything. Now he lives in Maryland with his wife and two beautiful kids and a few more gray hairs. He treated me to lunch at a Thai place and we had a great conversation and a few laughs. They are moving to Australia in the fall…so I’ll have a reason to visit that country!

Then I head over to the little town of Cockeysville, right outside of Baltimore, to touch base with my dear friend Connie. Connie was one of my first “messageboard” friends back in the crazy days of TORC (TheOneRing dot com) and the Tolkien fandom. When I met her for the first time, it felt like I’d known her forever. She is one of my few friends who is as much a Star Trek nut as I am. We ordered Italian and drank some wine while we watched several episodes of “Strange New Worlds” and reminisced about…well, everything.

I crashed at Connie’s and the next day continued on through New Jersey, where I had lunch with Rosemary. I met Rosemary after my friend and colleague Bill sadly passed away. She is his sister and during Bill’s last illness, we were in touch via email. We met up first the first time shortly after that and I promised if I was ever in in the area again, we’d get together. She’s a real “Phillie girl” – no nonsense, down-to-earth and funny as hell. Talking with her, I feel like my friend Bill (“Billy from Philly” as he used to call himself) is still around.

Rather than push all the way home from New Jersey, I decided to take it slow, stay over night in Nyack and drive over the Tapanzee Bridge in the morning. (Avoiding the treacherous cluster-f*ck of the George Washington Bridge!) I had a decent hotel, ordered in Chinese food from a local joint and watched more Law & Order. The next day, it was only a 3 hour drive home! When I arrived, I had this waiting for me in my kitchen!

It was good to be home – and just in time for the next snow storm!

Like the twilight in the road up ahead
They don’t see just where we’re goin’
And all the secrets in the universe
Whisper in our ears
All the years will come and go
Take us up, always up
We may never pass this way again

Goats, chickens, kayaking and a couple of really cool locomotives.

After I left Tampa, I headed up to the panhandle and Tallahassee. I’d never been there and the weather was still promising to be warm and sunny. I didn’t want to have to set up my whole site up again, so I booked a Hipcamp. On a Goat Farm. In a converted chicken coop.

It was really quite cozy…with a full-size bed, electricity, an AC and heat and several windows. The woman who owned the farm was a real “earth mother” who knew every single one of her 60+ goats by name. There were also about a dozen cats roaming the property, a huge flock of chickens (including several roosters with very loud and proud “cock-a-doodle-dos”) and a giant white dog named Toby who acted as a sort of body guard whenever I left the Coop.

There was a very serviceable composting toilet and an…interesting shower made out of an old washtub. A little hard to get into, but plenty of hot water! She also had set up a kind of living room space with couches, a microwave, a coffee station and a fridge.

I unpacked and spent some time with with the goats. The next day was gorgeously sunny and I got myself down to one of the many landings and put my kayak in the waters of Lake Talquin.

I met a good ole boy from Tennessee, who told me several hair-raising stories about the alligators in the lake. I did not see any, but I did see plenty of turtles sunning themselves on rocks and branches. That turned out to be the sunniest day, so I was glad I took the opportunity to get the kayak out.

Another day, I drove into Tallahassee proper. There was an arts district called “Railroad Square” which looked interesting. Unfortunately, many of the shops had suffered losses due to the recent hurricane. However, there was some spectacular murals. And I had a delicious lunch of rice ind salmon in a scooped out pineapple.

Then I drove a little further because I wanted to see the “Luraville Locomotive.” This old girl was one of the first wood-burning engines and likely built between 1850-55. It hauled lumber and possibly passengers before sliding into the Suwanee River and spending almost 80 years submerged.

 Residents knew it was there, but nobody could really do much about the locomotive. It was later recovered from the Suwannee River in 1979 by a Luraville resident named James Lancaster who decided to take it upon himself to retrieve the locomotive from its spot.

The original records are long gone, so nobody knows the number of the engine, or even how it ended up in the river. But now it’s been spruced up and a “depot” was built for it in 1912. I imagine it must have some stories to tell!

Another day, I drove in the other direction, towards Blountstown. There I visited Locomotive 444 , built in 1911, which was part of the Marianna and Blountstown Railroad, and the last steam engine on that line. The B&M was a “short line” – only 29 miles long. It was nicknamed “the route of many bumps.” She was quite a sight…and is installed directly on the old track route. I stood for a few minutes, imagining the trains rumbling along the old rails.

I really enjoyed my time in Tallahassee…and was sorry to be leaving the sun and warmth. But it was time to head back up north. I intended to take my time, and had plans to connect with a number of old friends.

Well, she comes from Tallahassee
She got a hi-fi chassis
Maybe looks a little sassy
But to me, she’s real classy
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie
Down in F-L-A

Finding sunshine in Tampa!

The weather finally changed for me as I headed west towards Tampa. To start, I had booked 6 nights camping at a place called “Westminster Woods” which was a Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center in Lithia, about 45 minutes south of Tampa. It was just what I’d hoped.

Having grown up Presbyterian and attended summer camp at a different “Camp Westminster” (up in the tiny town of Holmes, NY) the surroundings felt very familiar. There was a lodge, a fire circle, numerous cabins and little trails. They had 6 campsites, all with electric and water and close to a bathhouse. I set up my camp and except for a couple of short hikes, I stayed put and enjoyed the sun.

I loved hearing the birds in the morning and one very inquisitive cardinal was a frequent visitor to my little camp.

After 6 glorious, sunny and warm days, I headed into Tampa proper for a few days of “culture.” I stayed at a hostel called “Gram’s Place” which was the epitome of funky. It had a great vibe and was right on a (free) bus line.

Tampa is a small city but has a beautiful new Performing Arts Center with six theaters. I saw an excellent performance of Bernstein’s “Candide” and the next night, a presentation of “Macbeth” which always creeps me out no matter how many times I’ve seen it.

I also took a wild “golf cart” tour of the city. This was in a “street legal” golf cart which scooted through traffic while the guide pointed out various parts of the city. Lots of fun and a little nerve-wracking! Tampa has a great vibe and lots of cool history.

My last day in Tampa, I drove over to Madeira Beach to meet up with a friend. This was a friend from my days on a very active “Lord of the Rings” website. I knew her as “Wildwood” (I was “JewelSong”) and this was the first time we’d met in person! It was lovely!

The Tampa area seems to be the best destination for January sun and I’m already planning next year’s excursion. It may include the auto-train to shorten the drive down. But for now, I was off to Tallahassee and a different kind of adventure.

Blue skies smilin’ at me
Nothin’ but blue skies do I see
Bluebirds singin’ a song
Nothin’ but blue skies from now on

(Or, not.)

During my week of camping at the farm, it became obviously that the following week was going to be…less than ideal for camping. Especially in a tent. (Even a tent as awesome as mine.) I reluctantly cancelled my reservation at Faver-Dykes State Park and began to look for something more weather-friendly in the St Augustine area.

I thought I’d found the perfect place when I saw the “Serenity Cottage” at this place called “The Healing Farm” just outside the city. A self-contained tiny house, with its own little kitchen and screened porch, with lovely green grounds. I could chill, knit, read and do my thing.

I received several (seemingly) clear communications from Lee, the host, including directions and the key code to get into the cottage. He told me to text his wife, Gita, when I arrived and gave me her number. When I got there, I parked outside…the place looked exactly like the pictures. I let myself in with the key code and was a bit taken aback. It was obvious that someone else was staying there! Confused, I shut the door, went back outside and called Gita. She sounded confused and even annoyed. She told me that I was “in the wrong place” and I should meet her around back.

She showed me a different room…attached to the house. That was where I was staying, she said. I was a bit taken aback and showed her my reservation…for the cottage. With confirmation from AirBnB and Lee, her husband. She kind of shrugged and asked me when I made the reservation. She said her husband had just told her about it the night before!

Don’t get me wrong, the room was perfectly fine…it just wasn’t what I had reserved. She said that it was “up to me” whether or not I stayed, but at this point, I doubted I’d find something else suitable. She showed me the kitchen and living room, which seemed promising. But when I asked if I would be allowed to use the kitchen, she looked a little upset and said, “Well, when would you need to cook?” I wasn’t sure how to answer. But I decide to stay and make the best of it.

Later on, she seemed more inclined to make things better for me. She moved an easy chair into the room and we shifted a piece of furniture so that I could see out the window. But it felt…decidedly awkward.

At any rate, since I didn’t really have an option, I settled in. I was permitted to use a shelf in the fridge. I unpacked my clothes and began to plan the next few days. The weather was really miserable; cold, rainy, windy and not at all conducive to being outside. In addition to that, I was in a bit of a funk due to my scuttled camping plans, the unexpected change in what I thought was going to be a private cottage and the current events swirling around me in a miasmatic cloud.

However. I was warm and dry. The bed was comfortable and the internet was fast. I had my Kindle and my knitting and a bottle of very nice orange wine I had picked up at a roadside stand. I had fresh oranges and candied pecans. I had a comfy chair. I took a deep breath (well, several) and regrouped. I had things to plan!

My adopted son, Jimmy, lives in Palatka, about 45 minutes from St Augustine. He moved himself down here more than 20 years ago, and despite many (many) medical and emotional setbacks, he finally seems grounded. He and his friend John have made themselves a home and they, along with John’s brother and mother, are a family. It was good to see him.

I also took myself to the movies (“The Last Showgirl” – quite good!) and a local theater, where I saw “Crimes of the Heart.” I checked out a little coffee shop/pub/art gallery.

My last day, I drove up to Jacksonville and saw a production of “Tosca.” This was with a MeetUp group and they had arranged a wine-tasting, a pre-show talk and discount orchestra seats! It was a fully staged touring production in the very impressive Performing Arts Center.

The singers playing Tosca and Scarpio were excellent. But the tenor, the romantic lead Mario…well. His voice was okay and he had great tone on the high notes. But he was this short, dumpy-looking guy. And Tosca was this bodacious babe. She had better chemistry with Scarpio. Of course, he’s a lech and she stabs him, so there’s that. Typical Puccini where everyone dies at the end. I enjoyed it very much!

The next morning, I was packed and out before 9:00am. I never did get an explanation as to why I was booked in the wrong place, nor any offer of a discount or refund or any kind of compensation. It was all very strange. I wrote what I thought was an honest review and I hope they can get their act together. And maybe communicate better?

At any rate, I had been checking the weather and it looked like there would be sun and warmth west – nearer to Tampa. I found a lovely campground that was part of a Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center. And now…here I am! And it’s 75°, sunny, quiet and perfect!

Love when you can
Cry when you have to
Be who you must
That’s a part of the plan
Await your arrival
With simple survival and one day, we’ll all understand

Sometime last summer, I started thinking about how much I hated the cold, dark days of January and February. I determined to get out of New England for that time and decided to take myself, my tent, my kayak and the rest of my camping gear south to some of the excellent state parks in Florida and Georgia. Although I normally don’t like long drives, I would do the trip in 4 days, never spending more than 8 hours on the road. And at this point, the phrase “polar vortex” was not on my radar.

I planned my first day to be short…just over the border to New Jersey. Over the George Washington Bridge. Only I had forgotten (or never realized!) what a shit-show driving over that bridge is. To make matters worse, I misjudged the time, so I was heading over the bridge just as it began to get dark. The traffic was hideous and even my GPS got confused. I ended up going north when I wanted to go south, having to backtrack, make a huge loop around and try again. By that time it was full dark and my hands were gripping the steering wheel way too tightly. When I finally emerged into New Jersey there were what seemed like endless on and off ramps before merging onto Route 46…which would bring me to my hotel.

I had chosen this hotel because it looked like it was conveniently right off the highway. And it was. But it was not convenient. The entrance was a right turn, directly across an entrance ramp. Where many, many vehicles were zooming onto the road. I slowed. I put my blinker on. I looked. I looked again. It was clear. I turned…and saw in front of me a pickup truck, barreling across my path. It accelerated and swerved slightly as I continued to turn. I think I missed it by an inch. Maybe less. As I pulled into the hotel parking lot, I realized I’d been holding my breath and my hands were shaking. I sat there for a few minutes, immobile. But I was safe. And I had wine and chocolate.

The rest of the journey was, thankfully, uneventful. A stop in Chester, VA and another stop in Savannah, GA and then I arrived at my camping spot. A farm in Lady Lake, Florida called “Lazy K Ranch.” I set up camp and relaxed.

Although the weather was a bit chillier than I had hoped, it was a far cry from the 12° I had left in Massachusetts. I toasted Florida in front of my campfire.

The next few days were in the 50s and 60s, but a bit rainy, so I did some exploring. I went up to “The Villages”, a purpose-built over-55 community that seemed like a kind of Disneyland for adults. There were four “themed” towns, with building façades designed to evoke a specific atmosphere. I went to the movies in the “old West” area and met a friend for dinner and show in the “Spanish” themed town. Everything was very tidy and picturesque, in a kind of cardboard cut-out sort of way. Old folks zoomed around on their golf carts and recorded music played out of discreetly placed speakers. Ersatz living at its best.

I took a drive up to Ocala and visited the Appleton Museum, which had a surprisingly good and interesting collection.

Since I love local history, I paid a visit to the site of Fort King, where some of the 50+ years of conflict with the Seminole Tribe occurred. The Seminoles fought valiantly for their land, and in a just world, they’d still be living there.

My last day at the farm, the sun came out and the temperatures were in the 70s, much more like the Florida weather I had hoped for. I sat in the sun, read, knit and looked at the animals. There were horses, cows and two very robust goats who came up to you for pets like dogs.

After I packed up on Saturday, I drove over to Mt Dora, a cute little village with lots of craft stores, trendy clothing boutiques and antique shops. I met up for lunch with an old high school friend, her husband and a spare man she had brought along. I think she was trying to play matchmaker and while no sparks flew, it was a good time.

For the next two days, I had booked myself a room on Ormond Beach. It was a funny little place. Called itself “condos” and promised a beach view balcony with every unit. My room had a Murphy bed that folded down out of the wall and rendered the two nightstands inaccessible once in the down position. Had a laundry room, but only coin operated and no change machine (and I’m not in the habit of carrying a roll of quarters around.) It did not have a balcony, but did have a large picture window where if you turned your head just right, you could see a sliver of ocean. But it was warm and heated and had a couch, a fridge, a microwave and Netflix on the TV. I made myself comfortable and settled in to wait out the thunder and lightning storm that had rolled in.

The second day, the sun peeked out in the late afternoon and I was able to go for a walk on the beach. It felt good to have my bare toes in the sand and the temperature was still mild.

I was then supposed to be off to my next camping adventure, at a beautiful out-of-the-way state park called Faver-Dykes. But the predicted weather looked increasingly dreadful. Temperatures in the 40s, rain, wind and ice! Too much even for a seasoned camper like me. I canceled the campground and booked a cozy little AirBnB just outside of St Augustine. And that’s where I am now!

One day you’ll look to see I’ve gone
For tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun
Some day you’ll know I was the one
But tomorrow may rain, so
I’ll follow the sun

Star of Wonder, Star of Light
We down here are not alright.
We’re lost and angry
Sad and scared
O brightest Star, we’re not prepared

The King is coming, so they say
So why do we impede His way?
Fear and hatred
Worry and shame
Darken the eternal Flame

We peer, bewildered, down the road
Exhausted by our crushing load
We can’t endure
We can’t go on
We cannot hear the angel song.

O  brightest Star, show us your Light
Let some small spark of Hope ignite
Our hearts are aching,  
Bruised and torn
We seek the Child who is born.

Unworthy as we all may be
We need the Peace that comes from Thee
Help us to share
Help us to learn
To Love, and give Love in return.

JCC 2024

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…