Riding the Train, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

When is the last time you rode on a train? The train in Eureka Springs takes you back in time and gives a glimpse of the rugged landscape of the Arkansas Ozarks.

 

Ready to go. Tickets in hand.

 

Checking out the old engines on display near the station.

All aboard. Let's get this thing moving.

 

Patiently waiting.

 

Finally moving and the conductor is collecting the tickets.

 

The train makes a stop.

The conductor gave the children nails for the train to run over on the tracks.

They looked like little swords after they were flattened.

 

 

 

The people on the train are in the dining car.

A meal on the train is another option.

The scenery was enjoyable.

 

Stan snapped this photo of gathering clouds nearby.

I had handed him my camera and asked him to take my photo by the train.

I'm never in the pictures because I'm always behind the camera.

I guess he didn't hear me because he walked off in this direction and snapped this photo. Love the light. Good photo.

We almost got caught in a thunderstorm.

 

Fun morning with family.

 

 

♥andPeace, Myra

Father's Day 2013

Father's Day weekend we traveled to Eureka Springs, AR for a visit with family. My 92 year old mother-in-law was our hostess for the weekend.

A visit from grandson Nicholas made this a very special Father's Day.

quality time with the smart phone

Our "happy camper" is glad to see Uncle Stan.

Skyping with Hunt in China on the iPad.

Seldom are all three sons in one location at the same time.

We added Hunt on the iPad for the Father's Day portrait.

 

Jim's mom, Zula, spent the day cooking for us while we took a train ride.

That evening she kept me up until after midnight playing cards!

She is remarkable.

Jim imparting wisdom.

The boys paying strict attention to fatherly advice.

Nicholas with his new bug box,

a gift from Aunt Melva and Uncle Joe.

He just captured his first bug with a bit of assistance.

Join me next time for a ride on the Eureka Springs train.

Nicholas loves trains and we really had fun accompanying him on the train ride.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Vancouver, BC

The conference wrapped up after a morning meeting with breakfast. Our return flight was late that evening. We decided to do a little sightseeing around Vancouver. We took the train to the waterfront.

 

Some of our friends from the conference were catching the cruise ship bound for Alaska. They were probably getting settled in while we were checking out the waterfront.

We caught the Vancouver Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley for the city tour and Stanley Park. The trolley is a good way to see the city and spend time in areas of your choice.

The views from Stanley Park were spectacular.

This photo captured the mountains and skyline.

View from Prospect Point in Stanley Park

 

Replicas of First Nation story poles in the park.

 

We completed our trolley tour. From the drop off point we returned to the hotel to pick up our bags and headed to the airport for the overnight flight home.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

 

 

The Butchart Gardens - Victoria, BC

Following a tour of downtown Victoria, lunch and shopping, the tour bus headed for The Butchart Gardens.

I was here about twenty years ago with my son, husband and mother. We took the ferry from Seattle on that occasion.

Every turn in the winding pathway provides a new landscape filled with color and texture.

I really like the colors of this simple rose in the rose garden.

 The bees were busy. They did not appreciate by photography efforts.

 At one point I was walking behind a very serious photographer with a very expensive camera. He had a spray bottle of water in hand. He was misting the flowers before taking his pictures. I snapped this one after he had gone on down the path.

More bee stalking on the peonies.

 Close-up of a beautiful peony.

 Interesting fluffy bloom. I have no idea what this plant is but I really like it.

 Another lovely landscape.

 Sweet bloom. Great color and almost 70ish in design.

 The famous stairway at The Butchart Gardens.

I'll call this one "pretty in pink".

Grand old trees along this walkway.

These ladies seemed to be enjoying their afternoon at the gardens.

Spring at The Butchart Gardens

 

The last day of our visit in Vancouver my husband and I toured the city and Stanley Park. I hope you will join me for that tour in pictures.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

A Day In Victoria, BC

Last week I accompanied my husband on a business trip to Vancouver, BC. While he was attending the conference I booked a day tour to Victoria. About twenty years ago our family visited Victoria while vacationing in Seattle.

After a pick-up at the hotel we made our way to the ferry for the ride to Victoria.

 

I enjoyed the scenery during the crossing.

 

The Inner Harbor, Victoria, BC

The Fairmont Empress Hotel overlooking the harbor.

I took a quick walk through the hotel.

The hotel property is lovely.

The spring flowers were blooming.

 

After a bit of time at the Empress I headed up Government Street.

Our tour guide suggested Sam's for lunch.

I had a cup of clam chowder with an avocado and shrimp sandwich.

The Parliament Building sits near the harbor.

The 25 year old architect Francis Rattenbury designed both the Parliament Building and the Empress Hotel.

There is an interesting story about how he was chosen as the architect for the Parliament Building.

 

After a bit of shopping on Government Street it was time to jump on the tour bus and head for Butchart Gardens. My next post will be about the gardens. I hope you will join me.

 

♥andPeace,Myra