Trains on the Pass - Cajon Pass, California USA

 My little grandson sits on my car to see a train passing by in the distance.

Click on images to enlarge!

 And, another on the track behind us...

 We drove to another location to see this train.  But, if we had waited 30 minutes or so, it would have passed by where we were earlier.

 He likes to wave to all the cars except the engines...they are too noisy and he puts his hands on his ears!

 We drove back to our original spot one last time...what a GREAT Valentine's Day!

It's about time to drive home...great day!

Cajon Pass

California USA

February 14, 2013

Noah's Train Day - Cajon Pass, California USA

 I took my little grandson, Noah, to the desert to see choo choo trains!

"It's LOUD, Grandma"!

 Best viewed full-size!

 It's getting closer, Noah!

"It's LOUD, Grandma"!

A super Valentine's Day with my littlest Valentine!

Noah - 2 years old

February 14, 2013

High Desert, Cajon Pass

California USA

World's Steepest Residential Street, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

 Yes!  Jerry and I chugged up the World's Steepest Street (residential)...so says the Guinness Book of World Records.  The sign points "that way"!

 About 1/3 of the people on our tour took the challenge with us.

There goes Jerry!

Ahhh...it doesn't look so steep!

Here we go!

 Leon and I are ahead of Jerry!
Karen stayed behind...her feet couldn't take this!

 Here comes Ireland!

 Got you getting me, Jerry!

 There are a few others taking the challenge who are not on our tour.

 Some preferred the steps to the street...not me!

 Either way there's no getting around the UP!

 I see smiling faces!  The 'senior citizen' was on our tour and totally amazed all of us!

He kept a slow and steady pace!

 Well...maybe it is kinda steep!  

Perspective changes things!

Chug Chug...almost there!

 Here he comes...let's cheer him on!

 A colorful window reminds me that this is a residential street that people have to cope with on a daily basis.

 Our guide walked to a stationery store to get him a certificate of achievement!

Well deserved!

Jerry took a pic of me taking a pic of our champion!

 some statistics...

 Our guide took our pictures as did the others who chose NOT to walk...imagine missing this GREAT fun!

fond memories!

Baldwin Street

Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

November 28, 2012

Dunedin & Otago Harbour - South Island, New Zealand

We got a birds' eye view of Dunedin and Otago Harbour from a local hilltop!
The South Pacific Ocean lies beyond.

Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

November 28, 2012

Red! - Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

November 28, 2012

Dunedin Train Station - Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

We have returned to Dunedin!

6:35 p.m.

It was a wonderful 4 hour train ride through Taieri Gorge, South Island, New Zealand.

November 27, 2012

Taieri Gorge Railway Trip - Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

 Our return to Dunedin from the Taieri Gorge was just as spectacular as our departure.

The Taieri Gorge Railway is a must-do when visiting this beautiful part of the South Island, New Zealand.

Horse farms dot the landscape not far from the city just minutes before getting into the gorge area.

It was November (late spring in NZ) and the horses happily grazed in green pastures.

 ...and there were plenty of foals to see!

Some are full of energy and playful!

 Mama and baby exercise together!

These images were taken from a moving train the last 1/2 hour of our journey of 4 hours!

I stood outside between cars for most of the trip...it was cold but worth it.

Returning to Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

Traveling through Taieri Gorge is spectacular by train.

Seeing the river below and off in the distance is stunning!

We will pass through a tunnel before we get to this bridge.

I am standing outside between rail cars to get these photos.

Yes, it's cold but worth it!

Here, the tunnel is in view!

It's weird being outside of the train in a tunnel...kinda scary, actually!

Across the bridge...

and, onward towards Dunedin.

...a lone tree.

 We're back at Hindon but don't stop this time.

 Trees are planted in New Zealand for the purpose of logging.

 We saw a lot of these logging trucks throughout our trip.

A busy logging scene viewed from above as we chugged through the gorge.

Taieri Gorge, South Island, New Zealand

November 27, 2012