Amtrack and Art in Flash
- May 17, 2014, 9:56 a.m.
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- Public
Thursday night in Lacrosse.
These are not real great pictures. It was getting dark and the light wasn't terrific. They were taken with cell phone and two of them are cropped. But I like them anyway. There is a romance to trains - to passenger trains too. The idea of people going places.
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars.
Then last night Jim and I went to rub elbows with culture at the art center in McGregor. We were in farmer mode and stuck out like sore thumbs. We need special wardrobe for meeting the outside world. Was a bit like the grizzly bear hunt in Prince Rupert - that's an inside joke. Anyway the art was beautiful and very interesting. There were still wooden bowls, a fabulous $7200 painting of the Lansing bridge, there were Fish Sticks - art made from found objects/read trash from along the river. Here's a link
We ended up going to Old Man River to eat with one of the artists and her traveling companion - at dark haired china doll who is the poet in residence in the artist's town. The poet's day job is teaching at the university of Alaska in Anchorage. She is from Georgia with I believe Rhode Island roots.
The Old Man River was also entertaining a bunch of teachers from Cedar Rapids on spring break. We were all pretty darn lively.
Note: The food and service and ambiance and whatever you want from a place like that were very very good. Prices were fine too. They've come a long way from when we would wish we could bring our own waitress. Pat was perfect.
Then!!!! We went to a bar!!! I have not been in a bar since to quote the man in black 'can't remember when'. The bar was spectacularly well lit which was ok too. Nice time with vast conversation continued to ensue until like Cinderella I had to come home and get my 750words finished. May 30th will be my 500th day. The artist and poet understood perfectly.
Darcy0207 from OD ⋅ May 17, 2014
Lovely writing and pics! There is a railroad track near where I live. When I was a child, only freight trains used it... and we used to count the cars. Now, it's a passenger route. We hear the trains roll by and the whistles... on a regular basis.
NorthernSeeker ⋅ May 17, 2014
Great evening out! You have to do that more often.
I love the railway. I want to take the train to Prince Rupert on a nice day. I think I could get some spectacular photos...or maybe just see some spectacular sights.
woman in the moon NorthernSeeker ⋅ May 17, 2017
What's a round trip from Smithers to Prince Rupert cost? Boy that would be a trip. I guess I could spend some of my retirement time looking it up.
I don't remember the grizzly bear hunt story mentioned in this entry. Do you have any idea what I was talking about?
NorthernSeeker woman in the moon ⋅ May 17, 2017
I think you were referring to the charter boat trip the tourists like us take to see the grizzlies. I remember that some of the European tourists had some pretty expensive and specialized gear whereas we were their in our regular jeans, etc.
Katren...In Conclusion ⋅ May 17, 2014
Ragdolls ⋅ May 17, 2014
ThoughtsAfter Ragdolls ⋅ May 17, 2014
I love small town art centers and going to shows there and all that you did...great night out, my friend. Trains are ok, too. One ran alongside my grandfather's farm...shook the house, sometimes. Coal fueled when I was little. Loved your sharing this.
Deleted user ⋅ May 18, 2014
Yes, I love looking at trains, and out of their windows when travelling in one, and when I'm in one I feel as if I've entered another world, one of possibilities. I am AMAZED by your determination .. 500 days!!!!!!!!!!!
Just Annie ⋅ May 18, 2014
Love the train pictures!
I have a love/hate relationship with trains. I grew up in a town where 200 trains travel through every day. Hated it. Moved here and started to fall in love with them again - even when one stops traffic downtown. (There are ways around it, if you know them.) I think my feelings about trains probably have more to do with my feelings about the towns than the trains themselves.)
Deleted user ⋅ May 19, 2014
I love trains too, and would like to travel on them more often. I wish our culture was more train-oriented like Europe and Asia, but I understand why it's not. I love the idea of you and your son dressed in farmer garb in the art gallery, and then going out with the artist and poet. I have no doubt you made their day with your thoughts and comments. Delicious!
World Pilot ⋅ May 20, 2014
I love taking the train, too. I've been on the Alaska Railroad several times, and Amtrak multiple routes several times, and even Via Rail Canada from Vancover to Toronto and then Chicago. I'm guessing that's the westbound Empire Builder train? Taken that route a few times, most recently as my sis AL lives in MSP. ~ So the poet in residence teaches at UAA? Cool. hug
woman in the moon World Pilot ⋅ May 21, 2014
So glad to hear from you. Hope things are going well.
BentnotBroken ⋅ May 20, 2014
What did you drink? I picture a good bourbon on the rocks with a cherry...
woman in the moon BentnotBroken ⋅ May 21, 2014
I had a class of wine with dinner and another glass at the bar. Some kind of cutely named local-ish wine at the Old Man and chardonnay at the bar. Since I have renounced carbonation and wheat and sugar (all types added), that pretty much leaves me wine and hard cider as alcoholic indulgences.
elaine2 ⋅ May 22, 2014
I don't know how to leave a comment to a comment you sent to me, but I would like to say thank you for the instructions. I would never have clued in on that. Much appreciated :)