The Coffee House

SquarePeg · Apr 27, 2023

smoke665 said:
On this day 12 yrs ago we had one of the most frightening days in my memory. We had 62 tornados in the state in one day, four of those were EF5s, the strongest rating on the scale. The destruction was catastrophic, house and buildings stripped to the ground. The fact that only 250 people died was amazing.

We watched the biggest one live on TV as it tracked 120 miles on the ground toward us. It was erie to watch each time we saw smoke & fire you knew it was someones house or business exploding. We were fortunate that it bobbled, missing us by less than 10 miles. As it passed debris began falling in our yard. Everything from insulation, pictures, receipts, checks, jewelry, cash, etc. some from people over a 100 miles away.

People came together to dig out those trapped in the rubble, ambulances were so swamped that people were being transported in cars and the backs of pickups.

You got lucky.

terri · Apr 28, 2023

SquarePeg said:
You got lucky.

Nightmare. No wonder you still recall it so vividly.

smoke665 · Apr 28, 2023

terri said:
Nightmare. No wonder you still recall it so vividly.

I think the fact that one of the bigger TV stations had just completed installation of remote cameras all over the state helped. We had a front row seat, watching in real time. Had to keep reminding ourselves it wasn't a movie

snowbear · Apr 28, 2023

I posted something in a mod's thread but want to expand a bit for more ideas.

MLW and I are considering a short Amtrak train trip from DC - Baltimore over the Memorial Day weekend, setting out Friday 5/26 (Firefighter Appreciation Day, here) and returning Sunday 5/28. Nothing spercial, just a get-away. I'm looking for some suggestions. Trains to NYC; Boston; Niagara; Burlington, VT; Savannah, GA.

SquarePeg · Apr 28, 2023

I’ve taken the train from South Station to DC. It’s a longish ride but a nice way to travel. I wanted to train on my recent trip to NYC but was shocked at the fares!! Ended up driving and paying to park was much more affordable.

jeffashman · Apr 28, 2023

The countryside between MD and GA is beautiful, but then so is the countryside between MD and VT. I've thought about doing a train ride that is advertised in CO. When I was a kid and we lived in Europe, the train was the way to go. Take lots of pix whatever you decide on. I know, this was helpful, wasn't it?

jeffashman · Apr 28, 2023

My granddaughter asked me for a photo of my dog Daisy, so I sent her one. Amazing what she did with it.

Original

Daisy by Jeff Ashman, on Flickr

Granddaughter's artistic rendition. (She's 13)

Sam’s Daisy by Jeff Ashman, on Flickr

snowbear · Apr 28, 2023

We’ll have enough fun with traffic in a couple weeks when we haul a trailer to Maine. We’re looking forward to something a bit more relaxing.

She did a great job, Jeff.

When I went to the geofest last year, I took the train down to San Diego from Santa Barbara and really enjoyed it.

smoke665 · Apr 29, 2023

jeffashman said:
My granddaughter asked me for a photo of my dog Daisy, so I sent her one. Amazing what she did with it.

Wow! She has talent, think she will pursue an art career?

@snowbear my parents took me on a train from Chicago to LA when I was 5 yrs old. I still remember bits and pieces of that trip. I've been on a few short hops since but doing a long one again is on my bucket list.

snowbear · Apr 29, 2023

Smoke: I remember going on an excursion ride from DC to Harpers Ferry, WV when I was little. More recently, I went to Portland, ME to check on an apartment for lazy lobster when they were attending MECA. Due to storms interrupting the planned schedule, I ended up taking the train from Maine to Boston - loved it. More leg room and entertaining with the many Sox fans on the way to a game.

Since then, I've taken Amtrak twice in Cali, and to get to and back from a geo conference in Philly. When we retire, I'd like a coast trip from San Diego or Phoenix (one of the nieces lives there) up to PNW. Not sure if we'll drive it or take the train.

jeffashman · Apr 29, 2023

smoke665 said:
Wow! She has talent, think she will pursue an art career?

She sure does, thank you! We are encouraging it, but ultimately only time will tell.

smoke665 · Apr 29, 2023

@snowbear weve looked at Amtrak several times as alternatives to travel. Since DW can't fly it would be great for us, and the cost is reasonable. The problem is the lack of available routes when you live out in the country.

terri · Apr 29, 2023

jeffashman said:
My granddaughter asked me for a photo of my dog Daisy, so I sent her one. Amazing what she did with it.

Original
Daisy by Jeff Ashman, on Flickr

Granddaughter's artistic rendition. (She's 13)
Sam’s Daisy by Jeff Ashman, on Flickr

She's an artist!

Great job. I hope she sticks with it. Time will tell, as you said.

snowbear · Apr 29, 2023

smoke665 said:
@snowbear weve looked at Amtrak several times as alternatives to travel. Since DW can't fly it would be great for us, and the cost is reasonable. The problem is the lack of available routes when you live out in the country.

Also, time. If you are in a hurry, don't go by train.

smoke665 · Apr 30, 2023

snowbear said:
Also, time. If you are in a hurry, don't go by train.

Compared to flying in some cases not much different, all things considered. We're 45 mins to the Birmingham airport, all flights to destinations east of us connect in Atlanta which invariably kills another hour or so. Driving to the Atlanta airport is 2+ hrs one way. Going West the hub was Dallas or Houston, North it was Louisville. Back when I traveled for business, there were frequently trips where it was faster to drive.