Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

Pat and I were able to ride the Cass Scenic Railroad to Bald Knob on the actual 50th anniversary of its first run as a tourist attraction, June 15, 1963. I first rode this with my family in 1965 and have been back many times since. I post this video mostly so you can hear the train whistle just past the 3' mark.

Once at the top we stayed--just the two of us ;-), in a caboose overnight. When I got up the next morning to photograph the sun coming up over the Monongahela National Forest and Greenbank National Radio Observatory, I got this instead.

Here is a photo of Pat and me outside our little home-away-from-home.

And inside the caboose.

(Sorry. Couldn't make it rotate!)

The steam engine took well over its capacity in water (4000 gallons) to make the  11 mile trip to the top, so there was a stop along the way to refill. The large tank is fed by spring water coming out of the side of Cheat Mountain.

People

There were many memorable moments during Pat's and my celebratory trip to the East. The best part, though, was people. So here are a few photos. I start with Pat and me. It occurred to me that we were together everyday, all day, and never ceased enjoying each other. I think this marriage will work out!
From GSMNP we went to West Virginia; first to the Kanawha Valley to visit my brother and sister-in-law and then to the Greenbrier Valley to visit my mother. The visit with my brother, Mike, was great. I always am edified hearing Mike preach at his church (this time from 2Thessalonians 3). Mike asked me to share my testimony in the evening service and I asked him if he wanted the short or long version. (Mike is usually known as the talker and I'm known as the quiet one except when given the opportunity to tell what God has done in my life.) So I spoke for 20 minutes or so. It was neat to be in church with Carl Parsons, an elderly gentleman who, in his childhood, knew my Poppy Hager (whom I never met.) General Charles R. Fox played a part in my testimony and there were several people there who knew General Fox and had their own stories about him.

Here are Pat, Jeanne, Mike, and me at probably the only Mexican restaurant in the Kanawha Valley! It was pretty good, actually!
Then we went to Lewisburg, in the beautiful Greenbrier Valley, to see my mother--step mother actually--who is 89. We had a wonderful time with Mother and were able to help her do some things around the house. She was a major blessing to us...a strong lady who loves the Lord Jesus Christ. We also had a great time visiting her best friend, Dean. Pat is on the couch with Dean. My mother is in the photo between Pat and me.

No, we didn't take any of our kids along with us, but Ilana house sat while we were gone. She watered the garden, fed the dogs, and headed up the team that painted our music room while we were gone! Thanks to Nat who helped with the music room as well!

Cataloochee Campground in Great Smokey Mountain National Park

Pat and I arrived in the Great Smokey Mountains on Tuesday, June 4th. We stayed in the beautiful Cataloochie Campground in North Carolina. For about 10 years they have been reintroducing elk and now have a substantial herd.

From my perspective, what makes the Great Smokies unique in the Appalachian range is the amount of water. Granted, they had an overabundance of rain this Spring, but even at that there were streams everywhere.

Returning from Our 35th Anniversary Trip

This will be the first of several posts concerning Pat's and my trip to the Appalachian Mountains for our 35th Anniversary. Ilana surprised us with a decorated car before we left on June 3rd.First stop was The Great Smokey Mountains National Park. More to come on that later!