Flying Report

(Aviation history) Seattle and the Fascination with Trains

By Renaldo Head

 Boys and girls of all ages love trains and trains have played a vital role in the history of this country and Seattle Washington and the Northwest in particular. In fact, the roles of trains on this part of the country have in the past been so vital that there are a few museums dedicated to that very important mode of transportation. Trains were essentially lifelines for the populations here for many years. While their importance seems to be diminishing in today’s society, their importance throughout the history of our country remains.

If you truly are a train lover, then it shouldn’t be difficult to talk you into stopping by Seattle’s Train Center before and after touring the museums dedicated to trains and their importance in history. The Train Center offers a wide selection of model train parts and pieces that would make excellent additions to your collection or a great beginning to a collection for you or your little one.

After you’ve whetted your appetite for trains and gotten your little one all excited about them, it is time to talk a walk back in time to the Northwest Railway Museum. Here you can learn about railway history or even choose to take a ride on one of the trains that departs for several excursions throughout the day. Most of the trips are 65-75 minutes long and a great treat for young and old alike. Perhaps the greatest thing about this museum is that their main objective is to educate the public about the important role that railroads had in the development of this part of the country.

If you’re really interested in sharing your love of trains with the ones you love, you may consider taking a turn on the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train. This is a great way to not only get the experience of riding the rails but to take in some of the beautiful Washington scenery and have a gourmet meal in the process. During the months of November through April up to two children ride free with a paying adult. There are certain restrictions as to the type of seating, but it is a great time to enjoy the experience at a greatly reduced price. There are also special events such as Murder Mystery Trains and Magic and Illusion shows in addition to certain holiday events as well. Be sure to check out what’s going on while you’re visiting Seattle and see if this is something that might interest you and your family.

If you are up for a not so short drive to Pasco (about three and a half hours from Seattle), you might find the Washington State Railroads Historical Society Museum well worth the trip. Be sure to remember that the museum is only opened on Saturday and that the hours are limited so this is a trip you need to plan in advance to take. The greatest thing about this museum to me is the fact that there are neat little stories, like the blackboard that recorded the first snowfall at the depot each year and others such as this. It’s the little stories that don’t necessarily make history that do make lasting impressions and I’m glad to see this particular story is being shared. Just remember, when visiting any of these depots, museums, and train tours that you absolutely must bring your inner child with you in order to properly enjoy them.

Learn about types of tortoise, wolf species and other information at the Interesting Animals site.

Senior Vacations to Saint Thomas

By Jim Guerra

 Each year, millions of senior citizens hit the road or hit the skies. Many of them will end up at some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. If you are a senior citizen, how does that sound to you? If traveling is something that you would like to do, you have an unlimited number of destinations to choose from. One of the destinations that you should closely examine is St. Thomas.

St. Thomas is an island that is located in the Caribbean. This beautiful island is a part of the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is most known for its beautiful beaches and romantic getaways, but it is also ideal for senior travel. In most parts of St. Thomas, you will find the environment is warm and inviting.

It if you are interested in vacationing in St. Thomas, it is likely that you will want to know what activities and events are available on the island. As with most other popular vacation destinations, St. Thomas has an unlimited number of activities that are perfect for individuals, of all different ages. To make the most out of vacationing in St. Thomas, you may want to examine all of the island events and activities that are ideal for individuals of your age.

As previously mentioned, St. Thomas has an unlimited number of beautiful beaches. These beaches offer a large number of activities that are ideal for seniors, like yourself. Swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing by the shoreline is something that many seniors find joyful. Most St. Thomas resorts have private beaches. These resorts are ideal for vacationers who are looking for privacy.

Speaking of resorts, if you are interested in vacationing at a St. Thomas beach resort, you will have a number of resorts to choose from. Many senior citizens enjoy vacationing at beach resorts that are reserved for individuals that are at least eighteen years of age. A resort with an age limit may be ideal for you, especially if you are looking to avoid overcrowded beaches with screaming children.

While relaxing by the beach may sound appealing to you, it is also likely that you would want to get out and explore everything that St. Thomas has to offer. One of the many ways to explore the St. Thomas island is by a guided tour. Guided tours come in a wide variety of different styles. Boat tours are the most popular; however, additional tours may be available from a bus or a traditional car. Guided tours are not only a way to learn more about the island of St. Thomas, but many tours will give you the opportunity to sit back, relax, and watch the world go by.

To bring back souvenirs for yourself, your friends, or your family, you may want to go shopping. Aside from its beaches, St. Thomas is also well-known for its shopping centers. Top-of-the-line products can be purchased at most inland shopping centers for a reasonable price. In addition to inland shopping, if you are staying at a beach resort, you may find that your resort has a number of retail stores. If you are looking for the cheapest prices and the best deals, you may want consider shopping at an inland shopping center. For the most part, everything is more expensive along the shoreline.

If relaxing by the beach, taking a guided tour, shopping in style, and vacationing at an adult only resort appeals to you, you may want to seriously consider vacationing in St. Thomas. When compared to many other popular vacation destinations in the world, St. Thomas one of the destinations that targets a large number of their services and activities to senior citizens.

To read about hamster babies, hermit crab habitat and other information, visit the Interesting Animals site.

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Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 12:40 am and is filed under travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.