Dinner on the Tioga Central Railroad

July 31st - Saturday - Beautiful day

August 12th is my husband's birthday and it is very difficult to plan something for him that he has not done before so once again I was faced with a couple of challenges. The first being we will be out of town on a SMART Muster on his birthday and what to do special for him.

I came up with the idea of dinner on the train. This is something that Lou had not done before; however, riding the train is "old hat" to my children and me. The boarding depot to the Tioga Central Railroad is approximately one mile over the hill from our home. The railroad was built in 1872 to carry coal out of Antrim, PA. It no longer carries coal by regular freight service between Wellsboro,PA and Corning, NY is maintained by the Wellsboro and Corning Railroad.

The train is equipped with two dining coaches, a coach that houses a fully functioning stainless steel kitchen, where all of the food served on the train is prepared. The only exception to this is the dessert that is served and that is purchased from a local concern.

The train also has other coaches for open air sight seeing, a coach that is named Canyon Club, which is the Snack Club that serves light fare and refreshments including beer and wine. Two locomotives are used on each train, one for moving the train north and the other for the southbound trip. A baggage car comes along for the ride and it is equipped with a diesel generator to provide head end power for lighting, heating and air conditioning.

The Train crew are all uniformed and each know their responsibility of seeing to their riders. The owner of the train, which resides in Downingtown, PA was very hospitable and stopped at each table to chat and answer any question that came up and simply to share information with each of us.

We boarded the train at 6:00 pm and were shown to our table that was complete with white linen tablecloth, napkins, gas oil lamp and fresh flowers. We dined with a couple from Ulysses, PA that were also celebrating a birthday. The gentleman was also a pilot, so you all know that Lou and he had much to talk about. His wife was a wonderful lady to chat with and she was so grateful for the "surprise" her husband had planned for her.

We were immediately served a cold drink to enjoy while the rest of the folks were seated. Once underway we were served a delightful light pasta salad and fresh homemade rolls and butter. It was not long before our main course was served with included fresh locally grown sweet corn, twice baked potatoes on their delightful crisp skins, barbecued ribs and a grilled chicken breast. It was a meal fit for a "working man", and we all had difficulty finishing our meal. For dessert we had our choice of fresh strawberry shortcake on homemade biscuit or a cheese cake tart.

The ride and the view was wonderful, and we had fun using the map provided to show each other where we were and what was coming up. Lou was astonished at how close to route 287 the train ran, he had not noticed it before, but you can bet he will now. Hammond Lake was a busy spot, many campers and boaters taking advantage of the perfect weather and evening. Many Wood and Mallard ducks were seen, some deer and a variety of birds.

We arrived back at the Depot at 8:30 pm and all agreed it was a wonderful evening and an experience that we would all remember.

I had mentioned that riding the train and eating on the train was old hat to my children and me and the reason for that is after we moved to Ohio, we came back and forth to Pennsylvania by train. It was a wonderful experience traveling with three small children for the twelve hours that it took for our journey. Mother and Daddy would come to Elmira, NY to pick us up and the kids had many stories to share with Grandpa and Grandma of their adventures of eating, sleeping and playing on the train. In fact, we rode the last train from Ohio to Pennsylvania prior to the flood in 1972. The end of an era.

Yard Work

July 27th - Tuesday PM - Beautiful Day - 90 degrees low humidity

I will try and update everyone since the last post. Saturday was a very hot day and Lou and I were up early and I took advantage of the cooler morning and scrubbed both decks and the sidewalks, the raccoons had left their footie prints all over and it was time for them to go. We still continue with the nightly routine of scurrying them away.

We finally got relief from the humidity on Saturday and had thundershowers late afternoon. Lou snapped the picture of the rainbow after the rain had stopped. We actually had a double rainbow later.

Sunday we went to church and it poured while we were in church, so we scooted to Lou's house after church and found the basement had water in it, so got that all cleaned out and went out for breakfast and we actually rested most of Sunday afternoon.

Monday dawned with beautiful cloudless skies and low humidity, so we thought it was a good time to resume our daily walks. We went into Wellsboro and walked in the cemetery and then ran errands and went to Lou's house to do lawn work. Actually, we have spent two days there and we could spend every day for the rest of the summer doing things that need to be done to help with the appearance of the flowers and such. We had made big plans on things we wanted to do; however, there are circumstances that prohibit us from spending time there. We did cut down a couple trees and I spent all of my time running the weed eater. When we arrived at Lou's house we didn't start out with very good luck. There are three lawn mowers there and not one of them would start. Thankfully, I took my electric weed eater and that would work. Finally, with the help of the battery charger from the motor home, we got the John Deere started and cut part of the grass. We finally quit at 7:00 and came home for dinner and went back today and finished. I still don't have all of the weed eating done. I did snap several pictures to give you an idea of the beautiful surrounding at Lou's. Edna had beautiful flowers at one time, but with neglect, they like all things don't show as they did at one time. There are several beds that I do try to keep up as I know she would have appreciated it and I know that Lou does.

We had a dinner from our garden, fresh green beans, cucumbers, swiss-chard, all of that went with fresh hamburger that my brother gave us. It was delightful.

Tomorrow we will try and walk in the morning and run into town for some errands and work here at home, with square dancing tomorrow night.

We did have some news from our Marine grandson. He is going to be stationed near Philadelphia for a year; therefore, we will get to see he and his family frequently. This makes all of the family members happy.

Happy Birthday - Krista

July 24th - Saturday - Krista's Birthday

My youngest daughter turns 40 years old today. She was one of my greatest joy as a mother, as I was able to stay home with her when she was born. The older two children were in school when she was born and that allowed Krista and I the whole day to ourselves. Each day brought a new adventure for us, as she was a bright, pretty and happy little girl that loved everyone she came in contact with. This all continued for the first two years of her life and at that time, her father filed for divorce and at that time our lives changed. I needed to find a place to live and employment that would support myself and three children.

Thankfully, all of us were very close and had learned to be very independent. Susie at that time was eight years old and she was the best baby sitter I could find. She truly loved Krista and knew what would make her happy, even Scott found he liked to play dollies with the girls and the girls found that they loved playing with Hot Wheels. We found a cute apartment within walking distance to school, work and the grocery. We were settling in and finding a new life.

It wasn't long after we were settled in our new home that Al came into our lives and Krista found a new Daddy and a bond was formed that never failed. Isn't it wonderful how God has a plan for all of us that is for the betterment of us.

Krista being the last child was quick to make friends by herself and wasn't afraid to tackle something new and different. She might wake up and have butterflies in her stomach knowing she was going to do something different, she didn't let it stop her, she continued with the plan and made the best of it. She went to many different camps, had swimming lessons, took ballet lessons, joined Brownies, went to day camp, along with church and Sunday School.

We moved to Pennsylvania when she was ten years old and there she found another special friend, and that was her Grandpa Goodwin. His birthday was the day after hers, Krista and her Grandpa celebrated their birthdays together each year. Note the pictures above. The picture of Krista and her Grandpa at the kitchen table was Daddy's 75th birthday and Krista was seven. We celebrated that birthday by all of the family going to the Woodshed for dinner, and what a good time we all had together.

Krista was the perfect teenager, never disobedient, was active in church and her youth group and even worked with other children in Child Evangelism summer camp. The only time I can remember Krista becoming upset with her father and me was after we moved to Pennsylvania, and it was time for the Christmas tree to be set up. I came up with the idea of getting a large live limb and attaching it to the ceiling and decorating it. Al thought that was a good idea also, so off we set to find the perfect evergreen limb. Krista came home from school and found the limb attached to our ceiling and was she ever upset???? She packed her little suitcase and out the door she went. It wasn't long until Aunt Joanne called and told us Krista was there and did we want her to give her dinner and then send her home. Kris returned home before dark and found the limb all decorated and decided she rather liked it and shared the news of her special limb with her friends at school.

Kris graduated from high school and was married, had some problems; however, Al and I did not give up on her, and felt that she would remember what she had been taught as a child and would return to the family as before. Our family stepped in and helped care for her new baby, Michelle as Krista got her life straightened out. God did return Krista to the family and when Al had his accident she stepped up to the job at hand and proved to us that she could and would be able to care for her then school age daughter.

Krista got an apartment by herself and proved to herself that she was a worthy person and could take care of herself and would also be responsible for her daughter, that she had just been given custody of.

She shared with Al and myself how much she appreciated our love and the fact that we did not give up on her and she proved that many times over as Al neared the end of his life here on earth. She took a leave of absence from her job and took care of Al during the day while I worked. She would come to the house anytime I called when I needed help with anything. Once again God was faithful to provide for all of us at the time of our need.

This past year she has come through her diagnosis of cancer, taken all of her radiation and chemo and is awaiting the doctor to give her "a return to work slip". She is ready to begin to live life to the fullest once again. She has retained her faith and have learned many of life's lessons the hard way. She is busy getting her daughter ready to set off to college in August.

She is a daughter that we can be proud of and know that she is next door and willing to do whatever she needs to do for Lou, Estee and myself whenever we ask for help. She has told Lou that after her Daddy died she prayed for God to give her Daddy back to her and He did the next best thing, He sent Lou to all of us.

Happy Birthday Kris, we love you.

Erie, PA - Visit with Aunt Marilyn

July 22nd Thursday - Foggy and 64 degrees at 7:00 A.M.

Lou and I were up early and ready to leave the house before 7:00 this morning. Our destination was Erie, PA to visit my one and only remaining aunt on my mother's side of the family and one of my very favorite people in the world. I had not seen her in 15 years, but she has been so faithful to me over the years, with cards, letters and phone calls. She probably is the lady that is responsible for me agreeing to marry Lou when he asked me. She was the first person I called and talked to, as her husband had died very unexpectedly and she married a childhood sweetheart and just recently lost him. She told me to follow my heart, that God had laid the path and it was up to me to follow that path and thank God, I listened to her. She immediately fell in love with Lou also and what a wonderful day we had chatting together.

We traveled up route 86, allowing our GPS in the car guide us. We stoppeed in Salamanca for breakfast near the Seneca-Allegheny Casino and we noted a sign stating they had Senecas for sale and Lou and I didn't know what they were talking about, but soon found out they were a brand of cigarettes and they were $23.30 per carton compared to a brand name at $46.00. Both of agreed we were glad that we didn't smoke.

We passed by a beautiful resort lake names Chartauqua Lake near Bemus Point. Reminded me of Eagles Mere, beautiful home with this beautiful crystal clear lake. Neither of us had traveled this route and enjoyed the drive; however, it would not be a way to travel after dark and we decided quickly, we would return home another way.

We arrived at Aunt Marilyn's house about 11:00 am and I was ever so glad to see her, for a lady of nearly 90 years of age, she is one remarkable lady. She gets up and down as easily as I do and steady on her feet and she can tell more family history that I could be reading the family tree. She also is a world traveler, so she and Lou had much to chat about and chat we did until about 2:30, when we decided we would drive the mile over to Presque Isle. Lou drove and Aunt Marilyn was the navigator. So many things were new since Lou and I had been there. I was impressed by the number of house-boats that were on the lake, and of course, Lou delights in any type of sail boat. We got out and walked to the lighthouse; however, the trees obscured our view and picture taking. We witnessed the damage done by the recent tornado to the Isle, sad to see the damage where one would not expect tornado damage.

After our sightseeing, we drove to one of Aunt Marilyn's favorite restaurants and had a late lunch of a delightful crusted Pecan chicken salad and lava cake and ice cream for desert. After lunch we went back to the house, that is exactly the way I remember their home. How this lady has kept it in such wonderful repair and it was spotless inside and out. Like I said, she is a remarkable lady. We viewed her recent pictures of her cruise to Alaska, and beautiful they were. She and Lou had much to discuss about their respective trips to Alaska.

All too soon, it was time to be back on the road, so after thank yous, hugs and kisses we were back on the road for home; however, this time we took Peach Street (route 19) out of the city and on to route 6. We did take route 59 so we could stop at Kinzua Dam for a bit. It brought tears to my eyes to stop there again, as the last time I was there I was with my Daddy and he so loved watching the progress of the dam and finally the completion of the spillway and dam.

After one other stop at McDonald's for coffee and a sweet roll in Port Allegheny, we arrived home before 10:00 this evening, with a sense of satisfaction and wonderful memories of a special day.

Special note to family: Aunt Marilyn sends her love to all of you, she asked about each of you and we shared your pictures with her. You can see I have added pictures of the house and the part of the large living room where you kids always liked to sit. The only thing missing in the yard is the huge Weeping Willow, it is gone, but in its place is a beautiful maple.

I think this concludes our travelling for a few days, must get caught up on yard work and laundry.