Friday, December 30, 2005

Our railroad adventure for the day

I didn't grow up near railroad tracks, so most of these activities are as new to me as they are to my granddaughters.  I've often stood on the other side of my fence and watched trains pass, so close you could feel the ground shake; but that was the extent of it.

Cliff has told stories about how he'd put pennies on the track when he was a child, to smash them.  He said he must have really been young, because he remembers worrying that the coins might de-rail the train.

I believe my children went back to the track to smash pennies, too, years ago; I don't recall whether they had any success with the enterprise.

Anyway, this sounded like something Monica and Natalie would enjoy, so off we went.  I took Scotch tape along, thinking the pennies would vibrate off the rail before the train reached them.  Of course I knew the tape wouldn't last, but at least the train would make contact with our pennies this way.

Altogether, it took about ten pennies and two trains to give us three flattened pennies.  So now we each have a keepsake.

Oh, and the engineer of the second train that passed scooted over to our side and waved out the window at us!  You can imagine our glee at that.  There was much screaming and laughing. 

I'm glad I haven't grown up yet.  It's fun being a kid. 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I bet living close to train tracks would lead to an adventure everyday.  
Missie :)

Anonymous said...

When I was a kid, I had train tracks directly behind my house.... and sometimes they'd park the trains for a while.  I used to sit on the hill and practice my aim with the black walnuts that fell off the trees in our yard....

I remember the glee of having the conductor wave at me, too...  :)

~Amy

Anonymous said...

My MIL used to take the G-Gson to the taintracks once in a while. They smashed pennies one day but I don't know what ever happened to them. Great pictures. Bet that did thrill them when the engineer waved at them. Helen

Anonymous said...

That sounds like fun.  Most of our tracks are no longer in use in our area other than the Boston bound trains.  I don't think I'd go near those tracks -- too busy!  

Anonymous said...

That sounds like you all had a fun day. It's never to late for a good childhood,lol.

Anonymous said...

Loved the read! This is my first time here, but I'll be back.
Could I add your site to my pg? Let me know.
Come visit me at http://journals.aol.com/sugarsweet056/MYLIFE/
Smooches, Sugar

Anonymous said...

after moving out of my folks house
two of my apartments were right next to the tracks
we waved to each other, too :)

Anonymous said...

I hope those two little sweethearts know how lucky they are to have you for their Granny....what adventures....you have together....Hugs....Ora

Anonymous said...

You are a great granny!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you had fun today.... Iam so jealous. Maybe the tape stuck to the pennies so good it went along the track for awhile until it fell off... you will have to go for a longer walk now to check that out. :)Your Grandaughters are really really lucky to have you!  Happy New Year if I don't write tomorrow. Sandra

Anonymous said...

Oh, the memories THAT conjured up!  We used to do that when I was a kid!  Sometimes, though, you couldn't find the pennies, because they would fly off somewhere once the train wheels hit them!  But, it sure was fun, putting them on the rails, and waiting for the train to come!
Sounds like you are having the time of your life, introducing all this fun to your granddaughters!   What a cool grandma you are!  They are so lucky to have you!!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

I grew up on a farm not too far from a railroad track.  I never walked on them or anything, but I remember hearing the chugging and horns at night -- and it was so peaceful.

Happy New Year, Mosie.

Russ

Anonymous said...

Our grandbabes to help to keep us young !  You and your little ones are making some wonderful memories that will be shared over the years I'm sure!  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

I'm taking my second childhood very seriously. (grin) Fernan

Anonymous said...

oh sounds like fun...awaiting to see if the pennies were smashed.