It’s always fun to pick up things at the seamstress’s shop…

And even more fun to try those things on!

Mandy

Is she, or isn’t she?

Taken a few years back, I wasn’t really trying to be seen as pregnant. And being out and about was fun. In retrospect, it’s fun to keep people guessing!

Hugs,

Mandy

No, it’s not a strange snowplow, though the cowcatcher on the front might substitute for one in an emergency:

It’s a McKeen self-propelled interurban car. This gasoline-powered car was preserved at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. It was built for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in 1910 by the McKeen Motor Car Company. it operated at the V&T until 1945, when it was sold off and became a diner. That lasted until 1955 when it became the office and storage spacce for a plumbing business before being donated to the NSRM in 1995. It’s one of the few surviving McKeen cars, and the only one which remains operational.

After its restoration, the engine was replaced with a modern Caterpillar diesel engine because no original McKeen engine was available. Its original chain drive was also replaced, with a hydraulic drive.

A frequent charicteristic of these cars was the use of porthole windows. A total of 33 were used on #22.

I didn’t get to ride on board during my visit, but it certainly looked fabulous!

Hugs,

Mandy

On our short visit to Delaware, I added another unusual street name to the ones I’ve previously noted over the years: Munchy Branch Road.

What’s a Munchy Branch? No, it’s not something you eat! It’s a stream, located just 2.2 miles from Rehoboth Beach, in Sussex County, in the state of Delaware, near Fieldwood Addition, DE. Alternate names for this stream include Jones Branch and Holland Glade.

So this proves my theory that unusual names are where you find them!

Mandy

This is the second of two posts about our recent trip to Delaware…

After our walk partway down the boardwalk, crunching in the icy snow, it was time to head back and check into our hotel. Up until that point, we’d had no contact with others. Thus, nobody had a chance to use gender-specific forms of address.

But that changed quickly – from hotel check-in onward. With me in my usual tunic and leggings, a cardigan and purse, it was “Miss” or “Ma’am” from the entire staff. From the front desk to the restaurant, to the bell-hops. From check-in, through dinner and also breakfast the next morning. (The only thing better would have been for that to occur while I was wearing a pretty dress!)

After we checked in and got settled into our room, it was time to head downstairs to the restaurant for dinner. It was not crowded (thankfully,) thus nobody was seated within about 15 feet of us. A big bonus in these days of Covid. And, from the time we walked in to when we left, it was “ladies this” and “ladies that.” So nice, and Wifey handled it well.

After dinner, we headed back up to the room. Wifey “suggested” that I change first. Thus, I changed into one of my favorite outfits – the long gray dress and red turtleneck shown below. I was standing by the sliding door to the balcony:

She took her turn to change, and as usual, wore pajama pants and a matching top, quite in contrast to my long dress. But I’m certainly not complaining – dresses are so much more comfortable!

It was a bit chilly outside, so while she was changing, I opened the door to check out the balcony…a great spot to get some pictures of the eastern horizon (even though at that moment, it was foggy.) While standing on the balcony, a couple carefully walked by on the boardwalk. and pretty much oblivious to the fact that I was on the balcony.

The next morning, I awoke early in order to watch the sun rise over the ocean. Fortunately, there were breaks in the clouds, and I really enjoyed watching that sunrise! A gorgeous sight…too bad it was cold out there…would have loved to sit out as the whole thing unfolded in front of me!

Yes, it was a short vacation, to be sure. All too soon our 24-hour mini-cation was over…and we were taking the luggage down to the car. It was fun, and we’ll probably try it again, to another location one of these days!

Hugs,

Mandv

Taken a number of years ago, during one of my excursions:

After spending days at the antique show wearing stirrup pants, turtlenecks and flats, with my long hair, pink nails nails and purse visible, I don’t think anyone was surprised that I showed up for dinners wearing a skirt and low heels.

The only part of this outfit I don’t still own: the Mary Janes. They didn’t fit all that well to begin with, and didn’t improve with age. So they got purged.

Mandy

Spectacular, isn’t it?

Located in SE Utah along US 163, Goosenecks State Park is located about 25 miles west of the town of Bluff, approximately 349 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

This park offers spectacular views of the goosenecks, officially known as an entrenched meander. Over a distance of one and a half miles, the San Juan River flows for more than six miles through twists of a deeply-entrenched meander. And it’s about 1,000 ft from the observation points down to the river, though “you can’t get there from here.”

Goosenecks offers picnic areas, primitive camping, vault toilets, and an observation shelter. The views are outstanding and photography is popular. 

Other than the Grand Canyon itself, this is probably near the top of the list of our favorite sites!

Mandy

Some of you may recognize this location: the world-famous Horseshoe Curve of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This was taken from an out-and-back excursion train from/to Altoona, PA and around the Curve in both directions, as a part of Railfest 2000.

Pennsylvania RaiIroad’s GP-9 #7408 was placed at the Curve on 9.16.1985, replacing historic K-4s-class 4-6-2 steam locomotive #1361 (built at the Altoona shops in 1916). The K had been on display since 1957, and was scheduled for a rehab to permit return to operation. (It actually did operate for a short time, but suffered a failure and remains sidelined, once again subject to future restoration – as of reports from 2021.)

Perhaps one day we will be able to ride behind #1361 around the Curve once again? By all means, keep those fingers crossed!

Mandy

The following sign was spotted during our visit to Utah away back in 2008.

Notice the price of Unleaded gas is shown as $3.85 per US gallon. We’re rapidly headed in that direction again in 2022. And stations in some places have reportedly already shot above the $4 level… So, yes, the future can be predicted!

While we’re on the subject of gasoline – think about gasoline-powered vehicles with a range of 400+ miles, which can easily be refueled in less than 5 minutes: IMHO it would be wise to NOT totally abandon them – until the issue of sufficient charging point infrastructure nationwide has been solved.

One can only imagine what would happen to long-distance auto travel and tourism without access to sufficient charging points, given electric cars with a battery range of 200+ miles, which may take between one and two hours (or more) to fully recharge. Just imagine the horrible queue length at the few charging points we have now…and stewing in your hot, steamy car or freezing in the dark, while waiting your turn.

It’s not inconceivable that the range of a full charge could become the maximum daily miles one can drive – to the next motel with outside 110v outlets for overnight charging (presuming they actually have installed them) or charge points with generic universal jacks – which are currently in place for most US brands providing level 1 (slow) and level 2 (medium) charging. This is definitely an important infrastructure issue to follow…

And yes, before you ask, the internet says Sinclair gas stations still exist, out west!

Mandy

This looks like something I could wear comfortably for a casual dinner one hot summer evening:

The only thing needed to improve it would be some black sandals with a bit of a heel! What do you think?

Mandy