Leavenworth Snow Train

A year ago we bought tickets on the Alki Tours Leavenworth Snow Train. We were very excited to be going, but that year at this time our area was having a very, very wet fall and at 6:00 in the morning on the day of our adventure we were called and informed that a mudslide on the railroad tracks between Seattle and Edmonds had resulted in a cancellation of our plans.  So this year we signed up again hoping, too not get rained out. 

Things worked out much better!  Not only did we have less rain, on the Friday (the 21st) before our trip it snowed at our house!  This boded well for snow in the mountains! We went to bed with hope in our hearts that tomorrow would bring the long awaited Christmas Train Adventure.



Our friend dropped us off at the train station at Edmonds, saving us having to worry about parking.  She also took good care of our beloved dog all day as well.  We knew he was in good hands!

 Our first view of the Snow Train -- what do you know?!  Amtrak!  I actually expected an older train, not exactly like the Dinner Train that used to go from Renton to Woodinville, but certainly not a modern commercial train.  On the other hand, old trains are drafty and noisy and this was more like riding better than economy on an aircraft.  Maybe business class.  The seats were wider, with a little more leg room with the normal locked tray table.  However, there were electric plugs available (which in this case was the starting point of twinkling Christmas lights.  It is not easily seen, but we had a Seattle Seahawks theme in our car.

 As we left Edmonds the tracks ran right next to the water.  Puget Sound waves lapped almost at the tracks. 

 We had a Forest Service representative on board who occasionally came through and pointed out interesting information. We rolled past the USS Nimitz that had come home for the holidays and was parked at the Everett Home Port.

 We had a variety of minstrels who rotated through the cars including slight-of-hand magicians, barber shop quarters, string quartets, soloists accompanied by their own guitars and comedians. 

 We started seeing snow along the road even while we were still in Everett, but as we headed through Monroe and all the little communities along Hwy 2 toward Stevens Pass, the depth of the snow increased.

 

 

 

 

 Occasionally there was a siding rail.  Since we were the "low priority" train compared to the freight trains, we were destined to be the waiting train if someone else was in a hurry. 

 

This was our last second before we entered the tunnel.  The tunnel starts at the large bend on Hwy 2 where the ascent for cars really steepens.  The tunnel is 7.8 miles long.  From 1929 until the 50's or so it was electrified because there was no way for older trains to seal out much of the diesel fumes.  The process of pulling the trains through with electric engines was discontinued when the new ventilation system was installed in the tunnel.  After we waited for a freight line to go through, we still had to wait for 15 more minutes while the giant fans blew out the diesel smoke.  I thought the electrification was a great idea, but apparently trains had to be separated into a whole bunch of little trains for that to happen. 

This is a Wikipedia photo (public domain) showing the opening of the new tunnel in 1929.  For more information on the tunnel, you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Tunnel or there is additional info at the American Rails site - http://www.american-rails.com/cascade-tunnel.html



 On the other side of the pass we traveled on and as we approached Leavenworth we saw the first of the large orchards there hibernating away until the warmth of spring reawakens them!

One of our first sights at Leavenworth.  There was a low fog, but above that the blue sky was beginning to shine through.

 Now all of our friends know that we are not really comfortable in crowds, but we put on our good attitude and dove right in with the rest.  We immediately got into the shopping spirit and my husband bought two new hats -- a new brown felt and a black pigskin (very naturally waterproof).  He was a happy camper. We did a little stocking stuffer shopping and a good time was had by all. 

 We were entertained in Leavenworth by a variety of minstrels as well, both young and old. 

 The sun came out at last and brightened the day.

 Good lunch spot!

 

 At 4:30 as dusk started to fall, the hundreds of Leavenworth visitors gathered for the tree lighting ceremony.  The large light in the center is as street light.  We decided to "gather" over on the east side of town so that we could immediately head off to the train as soon as the tree lighting took place. 

 The grand moment arrived!

 The town lights blazed on as well!

 And the train travelers headed briskly back to the station.  Yes, they say that some procrastinators get left behind at nearly every trip.  It was obvious that train engineers take their schedules seriously.

 Boarding to go home!

 More great entertainment

Our evening ended returning from the mountains back to the sea, passing Monroe and all the little towns along the way in the dark.  I think we may just do that again -- maybe even next year!

Polar Bear Plunge Chickadee Style

 The following photos show the progression of the hearty Black Capped Chickadee who decided that in spite of the temperatures being below freezing, it was time to take a bath.  Since we heat the water in the birdbath enough to keep it from freezing, perhaps it was comparatively like jumping in a hot tub.  However, afterwards, going to dry off in a tree doesn't sound like a lot of fun!  The current temperature according to NWS is 27 degrees here! Brrrrr!!!!!

 His friend must have come by thinking he was NUTS!

Flock of Feathered Friends

  A Goldfinch and a Chestnut Backed Chickadee hanging out together at the heated bird bath.  We keep the water from freezing so they have some place to drink when the water on the ground is all frozen.  We've also had a robin stop by.  Robins look REALLY BIG after these guys. The House Finches haven't stuck around for the photo shoot either!

 A Black Capped Chickadee and a Chestnut Backed Chickadee share the pool.  We love having Chestnut Backed Chickadees Showing up in our yard.  The past two years they have nested in boxes in our trees.

 A Junco with the cute little pink beak and the Chestnut Backed Chickadee take turns drinking and watching out for danger.

 Goldfinch looks a little brighter than usual due to evening sun glinting off the water of the bird feeder and reflecting on his chin.

Black Capped Chickadee and Junco share the space as well. 

 

We're getting a  new window hummingbird feeder so they can come close again.  The old one has kept slipping off the window recently.  We bring the two main hummingbird feeders that hang in the tree in at night now because they are freezing solid.  This morning at 7 (Saturday) my  husband got up to take the feeder outside and when I got up at 9 (what a great sleep-in) the nectar was almost frozen solid again, so I traded out the feeders. 

 

It has stayed melted this afternoon but will likely freeze again tonight. We worry about the hummingbirds when we have to leave early on really cold days and can't get back to change out the feeders when we know the will likely freeze again. They have to eat so much to keep alive when it is really cold and we don't want to let them down!  There is something to be said for our rainy northwest winters!



Tangen Family Wishes Across the Miles and Across the Years

This postcard (above and below) was sent to Ole O Tangen by his daughters Bernadine and Marjorie.  They were visiting in St. Paul, Minnesota and it was November 2, 1942

This postcard (above and below) was sent from Bruce and Rosalie Tangen to Bob and Bernadine Tangen Weber.  This was sent from Montana in 1962.

 

This postcard (above and below) was sent from Pvt Carlyle Kaasa to his grandmother Ella Mae Tangen.  He did not know that she had passed away two days before. 

It was sent on October 12, 1942

This postcard (above and below) was sent from Donald Laverne Allen to his cousin Bernadine Tangen.  The postmark does not give the date, but Berndine still lived in Frederic, WI.

This postcard (above and below) was sent to Bob and Bernadine Tangen Weber by Bernadine's mother, Kathryn Vandervort Tangen.  This was sent in September of 1964.  The "future son-in-law" was a reference to Paul Knedel who would marry Kathryn's daughter LaVonne the next spring.

This postcard (above and below) was sent to Ole and Kathryn Tangen by their daughter Marjorie Norma Tangen,  It was sent in July of 1942.

This postcard (above and below) was sent by Marjorie Tangen Whitlock to her sister Bernadine Tangen Weber in April of 1951.  Her concern for how her sister was feeling was because Bernadine and Bob had had a son in August of 1948 who had passed away two days later.  Bernadine was again pregnant -- this time with me!  It was touch and go there for awhile as she thought she had miscarried, but here I am.  Mom always thought I might have been a twin.  Will find out in heaven!

A Happy Thanksgiving to All!

 This postcard was sent to Rosina Jane Richardson Stevens -- date is hard to read but it looks like 1910.  From someone named Anna.

 This postcards was sent on November 28, 1911 from Darian, Wisconsin.  This was sent by Myra Gulvin to her cousin William Richards Sherwood in Kendall, Wisconsin.  Cancelled at 2:00 PM!

 This postcard was sent to Rosina Jane Richardson Stevens (Mrs. D E Stevens) in 1909. It was sent to her mother by E Sherwood (Ella Jane Stevens Sherwood) and Dora Sherwood.  Great-grandmother Ella Jane was in Denver, Colorado because her daughter Dora had had surgery and Ella Jane was caring for her during her convalescence.   This card is postmarked November 23, 1909.   She wrote "If not with you in body we are in spirit and thought."

This card was sent from Dora (Dora Atwater Sherwood Lindsey) and her husband Guy Lindsey to her mother, Ella Jane Stevens Sherwood. 

A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2013 TO YOU AND YOURS!   MAY YOU FIND TIME TO THANK GOD FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS!

The Three Susans

 Susan Rosina Sherwood Weber

Susan Stevens Rhodes

I came across this letter from Aunt Dora today and for the first time had some confirmation that the Eastman's that David Eastman Stevens family was descended from was the David and Susanna Ordway Eastman family. Lydia's birth wasn't recorded in Topsham, VT but we believe that is because she was born before the family moved to Topsham and of course the census records do not list individual family members by name until 1850.  

1953-0930 – Dora Atwater Sherwood Lindsey to Susan Sherwood Weber

Wed. Sept 30, 1953

Dear Sister: - The sheets on nutrition came yesterday and I do thank you so much.  I immediately loaned them to the lady who lives upstairs.  She is ill and the doctor says she has no blood.  I was interested I the amount of iron in soybeans, lima beans and dry peas.   I think that is the reason I crave beans, especially lima beans.  We have a soil condition here not found everywhere, that is, a lack of iron in the soil.  I learned that when out a Marge’s.  One of their peach trees turned yellow early in summer.   Took some leaves down to the county agent who said the condition is common on the high benches which were the borders of old Lake Bonneville[1] which used to cover all this part of the state.  The soil is gravelly, having been formed of gravel carried down by the streams, and of course the heavier part falling to the lake bottom first.  Irrigation has tended to leach out what little iron was originally in the soil and phosphate of iron or sulfate of iron has to be sprayed on the leaves which absorb it or added at the roots or in time the leaves turn yellow or spotted and the fruit is inferior until the tree dies.

            Naturally fruits and vegetables do not have as much iron as they need and so many people suffer from insufficient iron in the blood.  I believe most of the dried beans we get here come from Idaho which has a different soil. 

            Of course you are thrilled about Mary June as we all are.  Atha says she looked well when they were there.

            I was deeply disappointed because George and Atha did not come up or at least call me before they went to Tacoma because they knew I wanted them to get some information about the Rhodes family while they were there.  Grandfather Steven’s sister Susan Rhodes.  You know when you were born grandmother and grandfather [David and Rosina Richardson Stevens] came down and the first thing he said was, “Have you named the baby?” “No.” “Call her Susan after my sister.”  By the way, Aunt Susan was named after their grandmother, Susan Ordway Eastman.  So you see you have an old Stevens name and an old Richardson (Rosina) name. 

            Well, the Rhodes boys[2], brothers of Ida Pollyblank, established the Rhodes Store in Tacoma and Mother and Father visited them when they were there.  Of course they [brothers] are probably both dead but if they [Geo and Atha Sherwood] had gone to the store or even called it, they could have gotten names and addresses of living children.  Our friend Marian from Seattle says the store is in operation.  But in spite of the fact that Geo. was named for Grandfather Stevens [David Eastman Stevens], he was not interested enough to remember.  They did bring home some sheets I had sent to Grace on the Sherwood line and I’m grateful for that but I still do not understand the indifference to mother’s line.  I have a big wash and ½ bu  pears to do tomorrow and am so sleepy so will close.  Dear, my prayers are with you always.  May you have physical, mental and spiritual strength for all the dear Father has for you to do. 

                       Love to all the family,

                              Your sister Dora

---

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bonneville

[2] There were four brothers and at least three stores (Tacoma, Seattle, North Seattle). Henry Rhodes, 1863 -1954;  Albert James Rhodes, 1864-1920; William Lawrence Rhodes, 1867-1945;  Charles Wesley Rhodes,  1871-1952. AJ Rhodes died in New York of Influenza in 1920.  He had no children.  Henry Rhodes had two children, his son Edward Byron Rhodes (named Byron for the oldest Rhodes brother, who died in 1879 at 20 years of age.