Fall Foliage Train Ride

Last Wednesday, November 10th, Danny and I boarded the Arkansas Missouri Train for a Fall Foliage tour or the Mountains between Springdale and Van Buren.

Upon arriving to exchange our free passes into tickets, the ticket manager asked how I had received the tickets. When I told her that I won the grand prize drawing at a Circle of Life Hospice Volunteer Luncheon, she said, "Well, I'll upgrade you to First Class." Wow! Those tickets are $90 each! What a pleasant surprise and what a great time we had!

The first class car had tables with table cloths and comfortable chairs to sit in. Larry Long, the conductor was attentive to our needs and brought complimentary soft drinks and snacks to us. He also was full of funny stories and gave us two complimentary 5 x 7 photos of us.

Here's a shot Danny took as I returned from a trip to the restroom.... that was a different experience as the train sways and dips.

This is a photo a fellow passenger took for us. We sat side by side facing forward so that we could both see the same scenery and not get motion sick.

We traveled over three wooden trestles .... one was 125 feet over the valley and very long. Our good friend's dad helped build that bridge years ago. He was caught out on the trestle once when the train was coming.... thankfully, he was able to get on one of the extension areas to avoid being hit by the train. Those extension areas were built to hold water barrels in case the train's cinders popped out and started a fire as it crossed over the trestle.

The photo above is of I-540 as we passed under it.

Here's the depot in Old Van Buren. We spent almost 2 1/2 hours exploring antique stores and shops in Old Van Buren. I almost bought a set of Campbell's soup mugs and sandwich plates. They were so cute, but I don't really have room for them nor do I need them.

We had lunch at "Sisters" restaurant. Loved the Tuscan decor, and the plate lunch of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans was tasty. We split a huge piece of coconut pie.... YUM! SOOOOOO GOOD!!

Here's a shot of downtown Old Van Buren. Quaint!

The sun came out some as we traveled home and provided opportunities for a few neat photos.

Larry, the conductor, took me out on the last car's porch to take a picture of the tunnel as we exited it. Boy, it sure was dark for a long time as we passed through.

After an 8 hour trip, we arrived back in Springdale around 4:00 PM. I must say this train ride was a real pleasure to me. I just loved the experience and would recommend it to all. I think going first class made it so much more enjoyable, and I don't know it would have been that good if we had been riding in the coach car. Thanks, Circle of Life Hospice for this pleasant day!

Now, Danny and I are at home waiting, waiting, waiting for Courtney and Keith's call that baby Maggie Lynn is being born. Our next trip will be to Memphis for her birth.... so until then, see ya!