Back to The Day by Day

Granddaughter graduated from High School. There were about twenty of us there to cheer her on. What a delightful young woman she has become.

Lots of time with the other grandkids. We went to the zoo. What a mob of grandparents, great aunts, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. What a great time!

Had a chance to talk to my son and daughter in law at some length. He has some serious service related health issues. They are having problems with the bills and ongoing care for the son involved in the horrid van accident. Let's see. US Government owned van. Being transported on a US Government sponsored and sanctioned trip. Driver a US Government licensed employee. Nope, the government isn't liable for the injuries to all those kids; all of whom are military dependents.

Speaking of stupid. The weather today was severe clear, no wind borne dust, extremely dry roads with no curves for miles. Yet, there were seven accidents involving cars traveling to the venue, even in the parking lot.

The various speakers surprised me. Lots of references to God and to Jesus; all of which received wild applause from the audience. Talked about their 91% graduation rate in spite of way to many meaningless tests - this was administrators talking. Seems at least one New Mexico High School isn't following the progressive line. From the crowd's response, it is obvious the community agrees. Finally, the principal told the graduates they are facing an economy that sucks, that is bleeding the middle class, and the prospects for them having as good a life as their parents aren't good. His message was adapt and keep learning. Not what I expected to hear!

Up, Up, and Away?

Not so, but I am off to Albuquerque for a grandkid fix. Oldest granddaughter graduates from High School on Monday. 

The schools in Tooele Utah district, especially at Dugway, are limited. She spent this past year with her mother's parents for a better high school opportunity.

Youngest son, FDIL, and the rest of the kids are coming from Utah for the ceremony. 

Limited blogging and remarks for the next few days.

Misplaced Child

Wyatt Earp has a post up about losing his daughter in a crowd. Even after thirty some years, I can remember the feeling. Horrible!

http://supportyourlocalgunfighter.com/2014/05/carnies-built-this-country-2/#comments

My  oldest is autistic. His particular problem seems to be centered around his hearing. As a toddler, he fought against entering any kind of store. Once, at a Bon Marche store in Salt Lake City, he disappeared. About thirty minutes later, one of the sales ladies found him under a display module. This module had shelving underneath to hold additional stock, and he had slid open one of the doors to climb inside.

One day he grabbed a pair of my ear muff protectors and wanted to wear them. Rather than argue, his mother let him wear them. He happily went into all the stores. Seems the little guy could hear the florescent fixtures, and the sound bothered him. After a few years, he discarded ear muffs and had no problem with stores.

I suppose some parents would have been uncomfortable with the looks from other people. Give my ex credit; she, along with me, didn't give a rat's ass what anybody thought about how our children were perceived by others. We were the ones raising them.

Springtime in Colorado + Mothers Day

 No cookout today.

UP 4014 Missing Videos

Well, this is messed up, but with my Luddite skills, this is as good as it gets. These were taken with a Cisco Flip phone left running while I used a camera. It was snowing, but I'm not sure what is snow, and what is static.

The UP keeps working, and this mixed freight was EB our of Laramie climbing Sherman Hill. Five diesel electrics. I'm not enough of a rail fan to tell you if they are A/C or D/C motive power. They certainly are working hard.

UP 4014 plus 700

Drove up to Wyoming today to see the UP 4014 “Big Boy” pass by on the way to Cheyenne. We had planned to be at a certain spot, but muddy roads and closed gates dictated a different location.

41◦    4’   55.17”  N

105•  29’   6.37”  W

But first we needed to get there. Ah, springtime in the Rockies. I think I may treat myself to a new windshield before Officer Friendly gives me written instructions, ya think?

The Flip camera was started and left alone while I got closer to the tracks with a camera. Sorry about the quality of the video. Not sure if all the snow is real snow or static, but it was snowing. h/t to Bloviating Zeppelin for the tip on the Flip Camera). However, I don't seem to be able to upload the %##%^& video.

The UP didn’t shut down for any one train. Here is a mixed freight grinding up Sherman Hill. Those locomotives are running flat out. Again, technical/operator problem.

Going home we saw more proof that a SUV on a wet road still needs a somewhat skilled driver.

This marks the 700^th blog posting on WSF. I can’t believe I still find things to write about.

When I figure out the video issue, I’ll post them.

Rail Fan UP 4014

The Union Pacific Railroad is moving steam locomotive 4014 to Cheyenne, WY for restoration and return to limited service. Thursday schedule is from Laramie to Cheyenne over Sherman Summit. Nice article here.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865602385/Chugging-along-Utahns-catch-glimpse-of-Union-Pacific-Big-Boy-locomotive.html

Our plans are to be along the right of way somewhere ENE of Tie Siding, WY as it passes.

41°   4’   45.11”  N

105ۜ  27’ 41.92” W

The UP currently operates two steam locomotives. 844 is perhaps the most seen, and I see it each year as it pulls the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special from Denver to Cheyenne.

 

The Challenger 3985 is larger, perhaps the largest steam locomotive currently operating in the world. I’ve seen it one time pulling the Ringling Bros. circus into Denver.

When these units operate, they are always accompanied by a diesel electric. The diesel electric supplies greater breaking forces.

Hopefully, we will get to see 4014 in a couple of years operating under power. What would be grand to see would be all three together pulling Sherman Hill. (Sherman Hill, between Cheyenne and Laramie, is the highest point on the UP line at 8,640'. Steep climb, Cheyenne sits at 6,062', and Laramie at 7,165')

Pictures, and possibly a video, to follow.

Lots of videos on all three on YouTube.