Sunday, September 10, 2017

Trip finale...

By that time, I was getting hungry, and ready for dinner.   And,  I chose to avoid the crowds elsewhere by eating in the "dining car."  It worked, and I beat the rush.  Folks were too busy with the fun things in the area and hadn't stopped to eat yet.

From the window pattern on the side of the restaurant, it appeared to be a former coach, converted to food service.  But whatever it was "back in the day," it looked nice inside.    And the food was good.





Obviously, I managed to get there before it got too busy.

Walking around the venue after my meal, I spotted this unusual vehicle.  It looked more like a kiddie toy than a real car, but it had a right-hand drive and looked capable of on-road use, so it must be European.  And it has the VW emblem on it.  Could it be the new version of the venerable old Microbus that VW is allegedly bringing out?  I looked up on the internet...but it just seemed too small (inside and out) to be a real car.   Those wheels and tires are simply tiny.  


So I'll ask the question of the day:  "Does anyone know what it really is?"

What finer way to cap a long day, than with a pretty sunset?   Visible right from my room was this beauty:


The second (and  final) day of my excursion dawned sunny and clear (after some overnight showers), and I decided to visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a short drive (three minutes) away.  After checking out of the motel the next morning, and before heading home,  I dropped in.  Having been there before, I concentrated my visit on the outside display areas, which had been closed on the previous visit.


Seen above are a former Lehigh Valley rail diesel car - a self-contained passenger car, complete with traction motors and a diesel engine on board, and cab controls in the vestibules, so it can run in either direction without a separate engine - and a former Reading Railroad observation car which ran on their streamliner "The Crusader."   There were many more historic pieces in the yard, including a former Amtrak AEM-7 electric locomotive, recently retired - the most modern exhibit.



"Take a ride on the Reading..."     That was a slogan the railroad used in its ads, "back in the day."  But automobiles and airlines took became darlings of the travel industry, and the Reading (along with other historic passenger railroad names) became part of US Transportation History.    At least we still have Amtrak, and I hope it continues to operate...for a long time to come.

With the museum's location (just across the street from the Strasburg Railroad), it was easy to walk over there and do some sightseeing as the first train of the day was assembled and prepared for departure.


From there, I pointed the front of the car toward home.   No cornfield changing needed this time!
And yes, as you can tell, I had a wonderful excursion!

Even without the added attraction of the Tri-motor, the Strasburg area is great for families...if you ever get a chance to visit, be sure to take the whole gang.  There is plenty to do in the area...

Mandy

4 comments:

  1. You are right that this area is full of interesting things to see and do.
    We did go to the wedding down along the Brandywine river at a canoe rental facility about 10 minutes southwest of Downigtown thos past Saturday. The couple got married under an old covered bridge. Everything was very casual with food served buffet style and eating on picnic benches. The toast was done with jello shots rather than champagne. It was certainly a one of a kind wedding but with 'kids' getting married older there were few folks my age and lots of 30 somethings types. The world moves on.
    Last night was another take out night, this time Italian, and nothing was said about my being out in pantyhose under shorts. I will keep pushing on.
    Pat

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    Replies
    1. That's wonderful! You're on a roll...keep it up!

      Mandy

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  2. Bigger roll last night.
    I came home and took off my slacks. Of course I had pantyhose on under them. I then put on some shorts over my beige pantyhose. We opted for eating out at Bonefish and I made the reservation. She then commented that I would have to take off my hose. I quipped that no one would notice. She responded that I have such nice legs that everyone notices them.
    The conversation shifted and I failed to remove my hose. Dinner was nice and uneventful and it was only afterwards, on the ride home, that she realized I never removed my stockings. She agree that she did not see anyone take notice of my legs and since we were already back in the safety of the car she no longer felt that there was any danger of exposure.
    I felt great to be out in a restaurant wearing stockings under my shorts. It was exhilarating and I cannot wait to try it again.
    Pat

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