Day one of the break, railfanning.

Skyler has really wanted to go watch trains out at 7200 W. for a few weeks now.  We took advantage of our first day of isolation and headed out there last Monday.

Headlight!


Turns out, it was the local building a train from the intermodal hub.  It never passed the signal.

However, we panicked a little realizing that once the gates came down, we could be trapped on the South side for a while since that train wasn't moving much.  Fortunately, that wasn't the case.



One lone engine pulling the enormous train!


Look how long!

About the time we were about to give up, we got a highball Eastbound!

Here it comes!

More new normal.

We set up Mommy's workstation in the front room yesterday so she can work from home now.  Hopefully we don't kill each other during this confinement!

Looks like mission control!

The new normal.

Home confinement equals home school.  The days are long but we're getting through.

Daily school contracts and Education Galaxy online.  He's a trooper!

Corned beef success!

I think this is our 4th year of home corning our Corned beef.  We'll never go back to store bought again.

SO good!!  Too bad this was the highlight of our week.

Well, that's a wake up call we won't forget!

5.7 earthquake hit us this morning!  I was just waking up when it hit.  The pets were freaking out and it scared Skyler pretty good.  No damage here other than to our nerves.  Everyone is safe.

More from Antelope Island.

View from the summit looking West.


Panoramic view.


Looking to the North.  There was significant chop on the lake due to high winds.

A day trip to Antelope Island.

We desperately needed to get outside due to the current conditions regarding the pandemic.  Antelope Island was the ticket.

Water pooled where they excavated 12 feet of gravel 40+ years ago to construct the freeway West of Salt Lake City.


There should be water where the tan is.  The lake is still really low.


Northeast view.  Gorgeous!


The peak where we were headed, "The Sentry".


Photo stop.

Looking South to the Oquirrh Mountains, Farnsworth Peak.

Part 2 tomorrow...

The North end of the Porter Rockwell trail.

We walked along the TRAX line much to Skyler's delight yesterday afternoon.

Fire truck pulling out!

Vintage U.P. signal.  Highball!

Abominable!

Spotted in Ogden last weekend after our lunch.

Nothing quite like it!

The first mow of the season!

While Skyler and Mommy were skiing, I was mowing.

Ski day with Mommy!

Skyler wanted to go skiing a few weekends ago.  Everything finally fell into place Sunday.  Good weather and not much going on around home.


(All pictures courtesy of Mommy since I stayed home and mowed the lawn for the first time this year.)

On the ski bus.


On the mountain!


Look at  him go!

Not too crowded.

Skiing through the trees!

What a lucky little boy to have such a good Mom to teach him how to ski so early.  I think this is the 4th year he has been skiing now.

Know your signs.

Spotted at  the railroad museum last weekend.

Hoping for a train.

But not having much luck.

We headed up to Ogden for the model train show Saturday.  The show sucked, the railroad museum delighted.

SO upsetting!

Maizey had to do without her bed all of Friday due to carpet cleaning.  I came around the corner and spotted this.

"This is where my bed should be, on your bed and it's missing!"

Spring clean carpets!

I spent Thursday and Friday cleaning carpets in the house.  As usual, Skyler had to bring out the Lego's and play in the cleared out living room.

Lego train!

Is your beef corning?

Ours is!  Home brined corned beef for St. Patrick's day.

I started the process last weekend.  It takes a good 2 weeks for the brine to completely penetrate the brisket.

Ingredients:

3/4 C salt

1/2 C brown sugar

2tsp pink curing salt

Dissolve the above in 4 quarts water.

Add brisket to solution.

Add 3 cloves of peeled garlic.

4 bay leaves

2 tbsp of pickling spice

Let brisket brine for 2 weeks.

When done, rinse brisket under cool water.  The meat will be grey and not appetizing before cooking, this is OK!  The meat will turn bright pink once cooked thanks to the curing salt.

Add beef to 4 quarts of water and bring to a boil in a dutch oven on the stove.  Heat oven to 275*.  Cover pot and transfer to oven.  Let cook 2.5-3 hours or until a fork can be inserted and removed easily.

Dr. Seuss week at school.

The kids have been having a wonderful time celebrating.

His artwork hanging in the hall at school.

Hilarious!

Ellie the Elephant visits school.

A robotic elephant!

Skyler is to the right.


Everyone was mesmerized!

The Narrows part 2.

The river is still really full.


Second freight train.  This one was LONG!


Funny graffiti on an auto rack car.


Waving to the Northbound Frontrunner.


Same Northbound.


One last train for the afternoon, a Southbound Frontrunner.

A walk in the Jordan Narrows.

We got a late walk in Saturday afternoon taking advantage of the 60+ degree weather.  Skyler was reluctant at first until he saw a freight train!  We ended up seeing 2 freight trains and 4 Frontrunner trains!

Waving to the mixed freight.


Northbound Frontrunner.

Southbound Frontrunner

They really look sharp against the terrain through the Narrows.

Another Northbound.

Part 2 tomorrow.

A trip to the Lego store!

He had never been and it was almost overwhelming!

Checking out all of the available sets.

He got 2 more wheelset motors for his train.  :)