June 10, 2008

All Aboard!!

We recently took a little weekend trip to WV to ride a historic steam engine and spend a few nights in a caboose!  The train departed from the town of Cass and took about 2 hours to get to the top of Bald Knob, the 3rd highest peak in WV (but at only 4,700 feet) where our little red caboose was waiting.  The caboose is set in this big beautiful meadow next to a scenic overlook.  It was equipped with a little gas refrigerator, a real coal burning stove (which we didnt get to use because it didnt get even close to cold), 3 nicely padded beds, and a nice sitting/dining area.  There is also a bathroom facility on the other side of the meadow. We rode up the mountain on the train along with about 100 other people, at the top we got out with all our stuff and the rest of the people left to finish out their scenic trip.  Once the train left it was so quite! I cant remember the last time I experienced that kind of silence.  Living in the middle of a big city in a big apartment building next to a fire station, we seem to get used to background noise so this was a fun change.  (Click the first line for a link to the official website)
Avery and our weekend home 

Getting the hang of these things, he wanted to spy on the cows on the farms below
The steam engine and a view of the train cars we rode up in
The scenic overlook where we spent alot of time hanging out
We did alot of sitting, napping, blowing bubbles, throwing rocks etc.
The beautiful view around sunrise from the overlook

The discovery of Cheetos and how many can he fit in his mouth, I think he is taking lessons from the squirrels 
Our wildlife friend, she was not afraid to come close. I on the other hand got pretty nervous.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an idyllic weekend you must have spent. I am majorly jealous!! Thank you for posting those beautiful pics so that we can share in your vacation.
WE are getting down to cases with our kitchen renovation. I am filled with trepidation at each step. We are going with waaay light cabinets (maple but virtually a natural look.) Haven't decided on countertop yet, but it will be a laminate. I am most anxious to have the hanging cabinets gone (AND forgotten.) We will be having a laminate flooring throughout the kitchen, dining, entry and down the hallway. Yikes, this is going to be a mess! Hopefully we can have it all looking spiffy THE NEXT TIME you come.
I'm so looking forward to your visit, even though it will be a short one for me. Much love, Mom

Anonymous said...

Have I mentioned how jealous I am of where you live? Looks like fun! What an unusual vacation.

Jill said...

Looks like you had a great time! I love the pic of Avery in front of the store window. DARLING!

Julie said...

great pics! we are totally going to have to take a trip there, what a great trip and i bet Avery went crazy with excitement about sleeping in a caboose!

Erica said...

How fun! I have yet to ride in a train and I really want to one day! You might just find me on the Cass one day! SO FUN!!

Emily said...

Autumn, this looks like so much fun! I love that you got to sleep in the caboose!

Thanks for meeting up with us in DC. It was so much fun!

Mer said...

Hey Autumn!
You know I have to say ditto! You have the coolest parents, I'm really glad I've gotten to know them better. Your mom and dad are just best! I'm so glad I'm in their ward, even if it's just for a little while. Oh yes, tell Brad Happy Belated Father's Day. Hope you're all doing well. I'll ttyl, love always, Mer :o)

The Payne family said...

Totally off the subject of this post but I can't believe you have a pancake puff pan! I thought JR was the only one in the world who knew about those. Thanks for the advice, hopefully I can perfect them some day. Your train ride sounds like a lot of fun. You guys do a lot of cool things. There just isn't that much to do around here. We should move to DC!

JJ said...

Okay, what a great adventure! And so close to home!

Nicole said...

Your weekend sounds like it was wonderful - how fun to stay in a caboose all alone out in nature. It sounds ideal. I am glad you had a good time. Your artwork is very impressive, I never knew you had such talent!

Tiffany said...

How fun! Turner would have loved that! I love your window shopping pic. I second my sister- you are very talented!

Hilary said...

That sounds like so much fun! We haven't been to WV just yet. Looks like we'll have to venture "out west" sometime. We're still covering the DC stuff. We got a pretty sweet tour of the WH and Capitol bldg. One of these days. I just love how everything is so accessible out here!

Outnumbered said...

hey autumn. just found your blog. i'm glad i did because i totally have to do this!!! ashton would love it! i bet avery had a blast!