Freewriting Prompt #2733 - gem
The weekend is winding down. It went very fast despite being a three-day weekend. I took a vacation day and we traveled to Scranton, Pennsylvania. We reserved a room at the old railroad station, Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. It was pricey, but Jeff loves everything train and admires this hotel. We stayed there last July, and he spent a day at Steam Town, where they have a museum and sell train rides.
My husband and I
This trip included a train ride from nearby Pittston, PA, to the town of Jim Thorpe. Jeff and I met with my friend from work, Alona, on Friday after arrival, for Japanese Hibachi, and early Saturday, we were up to catch the train at 8:45 after a quick breakfast at Dunkin.
Alona and I.
We met four coworkers at the station. Nancy arranged the trip. This was her thing, and she takes the trip frequently. Many of my coworkers live there. It's a four and a half hour drive from our house. It was wonderful to meet these ladies face-to-face! The pandemic has isolated us at home. Most of the offices are no longer open for the company.
Nancy is on the right.
It was forty-six degrees yesterday morning, and we dressed warmly. The trip was through scenic countryside, woods, and tunnels, as well as stops for travelers at two additional stations for more tourists.
The ride was two and a half hours. The weather warmed up, and we shed layers. The town is lovely and the buildings are beautiful. There's much history behind the town. We ate at one of the eateries after a half-hour wait standing.
The stores were loaded with tourist items. Jeff stopped in to look for a special gem for building a radio, but the person who would help wasn't arriving until 4:00 pm, when we needed to board the train once more.
Alona and I battled a three-day migraine as we visited. While there, we experienced unexpected allergic reactions to floating cottonwood seeds.
It was worth it to go and see everything. I enjoyed the stay and the friendships.
I have finally ridden on a real train!
In the hotel lobby.
We got back home and discovered my son had hit a deer with my car. He didn't want to ruin my trip by telling me. He uses it for work.
He ordered the headlamp. It will need a new fascia, too. Deer are far too prevalent. This car has suffered its second deer accident, and before this accident, my son hit a raccoon. I won't be turning the accident in to the insurance company. We battled insurance for six months to prevent them from totaling it out. It took persistent calls and a second damage quote. Prayers that repair is not too expensive.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to visit.
Have a wonderful day!
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I just realized I haven't been seeing you posts! Then I looked, and saw you haven't been posting much more than I have been. Glad to see you back. Enjoyed the tale of your scenic train ride. Sorry about the car and the deer. We have that problem in north Idaho, too.
Thank you! Yes, life has taken some challenging times. I hope all is well with you!
I am sorry for the deer and, of course, your car.
My daughter will be helping my granddaughter move to VA in 3 weeks. She said she might take the train back to FL instead of flying, only because she has never taken a long distance train ride.
Several years ago, I went to Jim Thorpe town with my sisters, but we drove it. One of my sister's husbands was concerned about us driving and told her not to ride her brakes because she could burn them up on the steep ride down the mountain.
I love rocks and hugged the big piece of coal in the town. I loved all of the old buildings, but not the tourist stuff inside them. I also liked the museum and reading the history of the town.
I didn't see that big rock! I agree with you on the touristy stuff. I probably would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if it weren't for the migraine/ allergies. I think everybody should take a train ride. When I was younger and on more than one occasion, I rode the zoo train, I've also ridden monorails in Vegas and Hawaii.
The rock, as I call it, was a big chunk of coal. If I am remembering right, it was not far from the train station. Maybe they moved it. I am sorry you could not enjoy it because of those darn migraines. I pray one day you will no longer have them.
Yes, I miss out on a lot of things because of the migraines. Still in all, I did have a nice time and enjoyed meeting my work friend and my dear Russian friend. I didn't see the rock, but it might have been.It was hiding in plain sight for me! When you went, did you take the train?
No train, my sister lives in Hazelton, PA, and we drove from there to it.
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