31-Days of Five-Minutes Free Writes Challenge ~ Join

No. 4014 - The Big Boy

The word prompt for day eleven of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Join.

"GO..."

Since a little girl, I have been fascinated with trains. My Godfather worked for Southern Pacific for fifty years, maybe more. I remember he would come home very dirty, but I never really asked him about his job back then. At an aunt's house in Vallejo, train tracks ran past her backyard. I remember while visiting the rumbling of the ground as I stood by the fence watching it chug by. 

We took our children to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento when they were young, earning their Junior Engineer Badge. Other train journeys included the Sonoma Traintown Railroad, a few times and then again when our daughter became a parent. Watching our grandchildren experience something our kids had was such a blessing. Hubby and I have also been on the Napa Valley Wine Train a few times, the most recent being for our 40th Anniversary on the day of our first date forty-three years earlier. Along our journey, I have captured so many trains along the way. Our bucket list even has a few more train adventures that we hope to take as well.

When I put together our first ever family reunion back in 2005, for my mom's side of the family, some of us met up at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, CA. My mom's brother's family shared their memories...

"STOP!"

...of when their dad worked for the rail as well.  My aunt had a great time sharing her stories as much as I loved hearing them. I also learned other ancestors were a part of the railways as well. I had no idea, it was like trains were in some of our blood.  

I recently learned that the 4014 Big Boy was coming through town. I instantly joined this FaceBook group for daily, even hourly reports of its were about. The photos shared have me so excited!

Next week, I plan to join other enthusiasts as it rolls into town. The Experience The Union Pacific Rail Car won't be available, but the opportunity to get some phots will be. 

Wednesday's Grandma Day is going to be a blast. I'm picking the youngest "Grand" up at 7:00 AM to watch it depart. I'm so excited to share this experience with him. 

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.