Train thrills; Jobe and Kalib, revisited

I was supposed to drop Margie off at Jacob and Lavina's at 8:00, so that she could babysit both Jobe and Kalib, as a fever had kept Kalib home from daycare. This meant that we needed to leave the house by 7:00, but things just kept going wrong. 

First, after we locked up the house and got into the car, I discovered that I had left my keys inside. Margie did not have her keys either. I knew Caleb was headed home from work so at worst the wait would be short - but we would not leave the house at 7:00.

Then, after I got my keys, we took off, drove one block and then I remembered that I had forgotten some publications that I had promised to give to some people at the Alaska Tribal Leaders Summit. So I went back and got them.

Finally, we set out on our way. It was now 7:30. Margie called Jacob and he said he could stay put until we got there.

As we approached the light at the Parks Highway, I suddenly realized that all this delay had actually been for the good. There was the train, rolling down the tracks toward Anchorage. Had I not been so forgetful, we would have missed this train altogether.

Now we would get to drive right alongside it.

We turned onto the highway and there we were, traveling right alongside the train.

It was wonderful!

I was a boy again, hoping freight trains with my friends in Missoula, Montana.

How could it possibly get any better than this?

I guess this is how it could get better - a person could actually live in this, the most coveted and highly exclusive condo complex in all of Wasilla.

It is such a coveted and exclusive place because no one in all of Alaska has a better train view and train listening perch than do the lucky few who live here.

Sometimes, late at night, when the wind and air conditions are just right, I lie in bed and listen as the train clatters down the track and the whistle blows. I just love it. It gives me this feeling of peace and tranquility.

And that's from 2.5 miles away - as the raven flies.

Can you imagine how soothing and wonderful it must be to be lying in your bed in one of these condos when the train comes by? Right outside your window?

Oh, if I could only hear how the whistle blows from in there!

I put in an excellent day in Anchorage and may well have witnessed some important history being made. I will prepare a report soon.

Afterwards, I went over to hang out with Margie, Jobe and Kalib until Lavina could come home.

Look how bright, alert, and good-natured Jobe! I have never witnessed a more bright, alert, and good-natured baby than he.

I found Kalib fast asleep.

Lavina came home a bit before 5:00, but we hung around for another hour or so in order to allow her to go to the store by herself and do some shopping.

Kalib woke up when she returned. Martigny came over to see him.

Then Kalib pulled her tail. She didn't mind.

Comments

[twain12]

i hope Kalib feels better real soon ♥

[LisaJ]

Poor Kalib! The little guy seems to be catching quite a few bugs this yr. He and Jobe are growing so fast though. I love watching him change in the pictures you post.

The Alaska Railroad tracks go right behind our home in Houston. My grandfather was a railroad man and watching the trains go by makes me feel like Grandpa is right here with me. Some folks might think that living right next to tracks would be an awful thing, but its not. I can hear the train coming from miles away, a low rumble that gets louder and louder with its approach, then the bells start going off for the crossing arms on the road. My kids and I place bets on whether its a passenger or freight train, and my kids have also been known to go out , stand on the hill that divides our yard from RR property and wave at the passengers as they go by. Life by the railroad tracks is good.

[kb in Il]

I'm with you on the train! Love to hear them go by.

[Katia]

what an amazing looking cat!!
i had 18 cats once in upstate new york.
i simply cannot live without cats! haha.