Train Ride

One of Hannah's birthday presents for her recent 6th birthday was a train ride!

We took a round trip ride on Amtrak from Clifton Forge station to Staunton, Virginia.

 

 Exploring the train....walking between the cars...

 The plan was to use the hour and a half layover to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant adjacent to the depot....but, when our first train was over an hour late, it made lunch in Staunton impossible. So we waited on the platform for a mere ten minutes for our return train.

There were pretty sights to see while we were waiting.....

A nice parrot in a studio window....

Here it comes!!

Cow Train

Weekend before last, the homeschool group met for a one-of-a-kind adventure at Layman Farms.  We were still in the middle of the heat wave, with drought conditions, but nonetheless, five families braved the scorching valley between Lynchburg and Roanoke for a visit. 

The first activity was the "Cow Train."  The pictures - well, words fail me.  There were 13 or 14 drums outfitted as "cows," complete with names like "Oreo" and "Maggie," "Belle."  This lady on the tractor was whipping this cow train up and around this hill at a right quick pace - faster than Bessie headin' to a fresh bale'o'hay!  I laughed and laughed, and once the train got rolling, the kids laughed and giggled uncontrollably.  No one wanted it to end!

 Not quite sure what to expect...

See the corn maze in the background?  More on that later.  (Don't worry, Julie, our secret's safe!)

The gazebo-type structure there on the left is the "corn crib," and it was filled with dried corn kernels.

What a beautiful backdrop!

Cow train in front of the chicken coop and goat pens....

J-- ready for another ride!

Let the good times roll!!

Save the Dates!

Two upcoming events in the Alleghany Highlands:

The C&O Historical Society is sponsoring a train show at the Clifton Forge Armory on Saturday, February 20, all day. For more information, call (540) 862-2210. We went last year and there were model layouts of various sizes, loads of train items for sale, railroad antiques, books and more. This year there will be an appraiser on hand as well as a consignment table. Admission is $4 adults/$2 children and includes the C&O Heritage Center. Dunno if the steam engine will be available for rides; I guess it just depends if we STILL have snow on the ground or not! Click here for the website for more details. Come on out!

If you can't make it to that, put the Highland Maple Festival on your to-do list. We've been 3 years and enjoy it immensely. Its over two weekends: March 13/4 and March 20/21 in Highland County. Most of the action is in Monterey, but there are special events in Blue Grass, Hightown, McDowell and down (up?) on 220. You can go to the Highland County Chamber of Commerce's website here for more information. Stay in Covington, and its a beautiful 1-hour drive north to the festivities.

new friends

This is the nicest llama I have ever met. Ever.

Her name is Mary. She lives in Millboro.

No, she didn't spit. Only bad-tempered llamas spit. Like only bad cats bite and scratch.

There were several local events scheduled for the day before Easter, but it was just too doggone cold for us to drag the girls out to see them. We had sundry errands to run, and we finally managed to make it to Clifton Forge just as the Easter parade, petting zoo and visits with the EB were wrapping up. Trust me, though, with our Littles, we had plenty of time to enjoy Our Favorite Things: the animals.

Now, Hannah was there, too, but we had stopped off at the C&O Depot first, so she had gotten her thrill - that and she was hanging out with Daddy-o near the hot dog stand.

And the funny thing is this - I wish I had gotten a good picture (dang camera) - but poor Abba's mouth was a perfect upside down "U" when we left. She was crying for the llama! She said over and over, "Llama? Llama? Llama all gone? Llama bye bye?" It was pitiful! I've never seen her do anything like that ever!

I TOLD you Mary was the nicest llama I have ever met!