Walking on the Right Side of the Tracks
Also know as a family day trip
This is something that I have done with my dad growing up. And now am doing with my kids. Its always nice to get out for a walk but in this case its also a way to do a bit of exploring and playing at the same time.
As stated I have done this with my kids. The interesting thing is that it has not been all three at the same time. They also seam to have wanted to do this when they were younger. When they became teenagers this was not so much of a fun activity. But luckily my youngest is still up for the time with dad.
The three main parts of the Rail Road Tracks - Some are big and some are small but if you are missing just one it will not work at all
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeThe rail road is like the three parts of our Government. Without one part the other two parts will not work.
If there is a Rail Road - Give me a sign
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeActivity for the Walk
Or a way to do some clean up
This is something that I had done as a kid. Our scout troop was doing a project that was a walk ending in a picnic. The goal on the walk was to pick up trash. You had to find one item for each letter of the alphabet.
Such as
B: Bottle
S: String
Y: Yarn
There were only two groups that had all the letters covered. Ours was one of them It was because we had used the Above Y as yarn instead of S for string. OK so we also had the S as string. My dad was the one that came up with the idea of using the letter Y and helping us be tied for first.
On our most recent walk were short two letters. Q and Z. Maybe next time.
Going under the bridge
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeOver the Bridge
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeAnother way to do some clean up.
And donate at the same time.
As you may or may not know about being in a college town. Sometimes people will do a bit of drinking on the tracks. What this means is you can do some clean up and raise some funds at the same time.
Being in a college town when walking around if I find any returnables they get taken to our local recycling center and into their tip jar. With all the counting that they have done to help out with the Make-A-Wish bottles they need a thank you. And this is a great way to do so.
Changing the rails - Or redirecting the train
Click thumbnail to view full-sizePoll # 1
Do you think you would like to walk the tracks as a family day trip?
Poll # 2
If you were to do the track walk do you think you would try the alphabet game to do some clean up?
Please Read the Signs - A Public Service Anouncement
More than once I have seen and heard vehicles that did not pay attention to the clearance signs. In this case it is 11' 10". To see the air released from the tires so that the vehicle could be pulled out. Or Watching the tow trucks come and hook up to the vehicle to remove it to get repaired. The real fun part is how the road is then closed until the bridge gets inspected and listed as safe once again to drive under. This can take hours.
The signs for the clearance are in several places so that folks know that the bridge is coming up. There is also a road that runs parallel to this rail road over pass. It's marked. So if you are driving always pay attention to the signs.
And if you are tired of playing
Try reading and watching.