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July 22, 2015 I'm going to start today to record on a daily basis whatever happens to strike my fancy. So, it is a very cool breezy day. I just posted 5 short book reviews to The Monthly Reading Challenge. I'm suppose to put away some winter wood today from the woodpile outside but I'm playing hookey from work to write so starting this blog will get done. I'm having a daily fight with a flock of English Sparrows that are trying to take over my barn. They are making a terrible mess so they have to go. I have destroyed several nests so far they don't leave but they get out of the barn when I am around. I'm just starting the fight so I guess I don't know how far I have to go to discourage them. I'm trying not to spread myself to thin on WDC because I find so many things that are interesting here and I am trying to work on a new story. I really enjoy sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and reading blogs on WDC. |
| BCoF:Day 2818: August 4, 2020 Day 4 we catch a Ghan train in Adelaide. Have you ever ridden a train? What was it like? If you haven't ridden a train what do you think it would be like?  *flower*Trains K and I were celebrating one year and we rode the Oil Creek Railroad. It is a refurbished train that was running when Oil was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania. The train ride is accompanied by lots of history about the area. It goes through a park that has walking trails and bicycle trails and the train will stop in one place to pick up bike riders with their bikes to transport them back to the trail head. You can stop and tour through a museum then pick up the train when it comes back through. There is a lot of scenery. I took pictures with my camera. I believe there are pictures of some fisherman standing in French Creek casting his pole. The train also follows French Creek for a long time. There is a lot of wildlife to see. White tail deer are plentiful in the region. The ride is about 3 hours long. As a tourist attraction the train sticks to its real heritage. There is a conductor dressed in period clothing complete with a big pocket watch and chain hanging from a pocket in his vest. There is a open air car at the end of the train with out seats where people with cameras can stand to take pictures. At one point there is a curve where both the Engine and end car are both visible at the same time because of the deepness of the curve. The seats on the cars can be opened to face each other if you are traveling in a group. Travelers are cautioned to wear warm clothing and bring blankets since the cars are open air and do not have heat. You can bring picnic baskets of food and drink but there is a car where sandwiches, coffee, and soft drinks can be obtained. In the fall they have a mystery train ride. It includes actors who play out a murder scene and passengers try to help solve the murder. I always thought that would be a fun one to go on. I 'm not sure but, I think there is a Christmas ride but maybe that one isn't run depending on the weather because the train is not available in the winter months. Another feature is the train car motel that is on the tracks for tourists who want to spend the night. They are real train cars outfitted for over night stays near the gift shop. Of course there is also a great gift shop where I bought a crochet piece of lacy fluff that is mounted on a circular metal ring. I found a large green butterfly and mounted it in the center. It's very pretty hanging near my desk. Today's virtual train ride was nice. Lots to see. Happy Train riding. Woo woo chuga chuga.  |
We're hoping on The Ghan for one of the world's great train journeys. Travel through the heart of Australia in luxury while enjoying the all-inclusive food and beverages, well-appointed cabins and the Off Train Excursions that allow you to get a feel for the places the train travels through.  I jolly well know that Australia is large with a lot of outback land area. A fleet of seventy seven airplanes are covering the whole country. RFD medical is up to date about covid 19 and flies patients in and out of hospitals. I watched them put together some of the aircraft needed to maintain this service. Really it is so cool that they take the medical service right to the patient. The Ghan takes us through the blue mountains and shows us the depth of the country as we view wheat fields and plains. I really like seeing the red and beige earth tones contrasting with green plants as the train rolls along. There is such a culinary choice from the chef. Did anyone try the aborigine dish of kangaroo and bush chutney? When we rolled through the national park we saw how the termite mounds align north to south as an environmental action caused by exposure. Sandra and I compared notes with a Canada train ride we took on one trip. A train ride gives me the best views of landscape from the comfort of a room and a window. By the way the word Ghan is defined as an Afghan or as a persistent person. It came from the fact that the first trekkers on this trail were camels driven by afghan managers who persisted in taking needed goods to people along this route. We are definitely riding in more comfort than a camel train would give. The train let us wander around Alice Springs desert park. Prosperous Snow, Sandra Lynn, Blue Moon and several others gathered for food and refreshment later and compared notes on what we saw. So many beautiful birds. There were little parrots I see for sale in local stores at home. The love birds were hatched and raised for the pet trade at home; it is nice to see them flying free in their natural habitat. There was a barking spider, a barn owl (i think barn owls are in every country), and of course dingos. Beautiful plants abound fox tail, desert petunia, and bush banana to name a few. Another place we could spend a lot more than one day just looking at what lives here if there was time. I guess that is the downside to being a tourist. Once again we come into contact with the Aboriginal people who own this place. Their knowledge of the environment and how to control it to the best advantage is something else. Some of their ideas are something to take home with us. Until tomorrow time for rest. K had a Dr. appointment yesterday so I am behind in commenting on everyone's blogs. I'll be around to comment even if it is catch up on other dates. See Ya. |
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