It Was THIS Big!!

A few years ago, Kevin and the kids took a day trip to Ogden to see a train called “Big Boy” as it passed through on its way to Denver to be restored. This weekend, it came back through, under its own power this time, as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike that connected the eastern and western portions of the transcontinental railroad. Daniel and Nathan had scheduling conflicts and were not able to join us, but the rest of us drove up to see the train. It is aptly named because the thing is gigantic! The wheels alone are more than 6 feet tall! There were about a gazillion people there and navigating the crowds was a bit of a chore, but I’m glad we were able to see a piece of history.

Recreational Education

Matthew just finished up 4th grade and unlike Daniel and Nathan (and all the 4th graders I taught many years ago), he was not required to do a county report. I think he was okay about not actually having the assignment, but he remembers Daniel and Nathan taking a day trip to visit their assigned counties and seeing some pretty cool stuff and he was kind of bummed that he didn’t get to do that. Luckily for him, there was absolutely no reason not to get him out to see some of the neat stuff that our state has to offer so today Kevin took Matthew (and Daniel and Malia) to the Golden Spike National Monument at Promontory Point. (Nathan was doing stage crew for the community summer theater production and wouldn’t have made his call time and summer heat=migraine for me, so the two of us stayed home.) Unfortunately, there was damage to the train tracks so the trains weren’t being used in the re-enactment, but because they weren’t actually running the trains, they were able to climb into the trains so that was a good trade off. That had a good time.

It Was Big

This afternoon Kev took all the kids on a spur of the moment trip to see a train that is passing through the area on its way to be restored in Denver. I opted not to go as there were other things I needed to do and since I ended up developing a big old migraine, I was glad I had decided to stay home. But Kev and the kids had a grand time seeing one of the few remaining “Big Boys.”

The train you can see is all engine, no additional cars. That's one big engine!

Choo Times Two

After our failed attempt last month, our second attempt at riding the two little trains in Farmington was a success. Although the rest of us have been before, his was Matthew's first time on the trains. He was a bit apprehensive.

But once we got going, he was just fine. Filled with glee, in fact.


All three boys enjoyed climbing on the train-shaped playground. Please be sure to note Nathan's gardening gloves, necklace, and whistle, all of which were prizes from the carnival the night before. And Daniel and Nathan are both wearing their brand new school t-shirts, also acquired at the carnival.



Daniel and Nathan also loved riding the handcarts, an attraction that is new since our last visit.



Matthew was very put out that he didn't get to ride the handcarts. Maybe next time.

October 4 is the last day they will be open this season and we will be there. The owner doesn't know if he will open again next year, so we intend to enjoy it while we can!

Choo, Choo!

There is a guy in Farmington who has an entire (big) yard full of small sized trains to ride. he charges a reasonable fee and has lots of other trains to see. We have been there numerous times in the past and tried to go again on Saturday. Unfortunately, when we got there they were closed (contrary to what was posted on their website). So we went to the train museum in Ogden instead. The boys had a grand old time.