tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70612586923877936672024-03-12T23:23:32.370-05:00Railroad KidsFinding kid-friendly train destinations in the Chicago areaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-23803464652733902182017-02-14T13:06:00.001-06:002017-02-14T13:07:56.301-06:00Batavia: Local Locomotive <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1b0emE5cAHhdvHIEJuLAq9FTTxXA90Gd9Nz0r9WvL-xrcMVroYBFQt161ue7xda1tBxZmECysK6vfDcW3YjOOTj1Pllg2gKJ-s4uDQbx5bUa_zOps7SdATb6FoYtU0Fnf8rX6JM49D4/s1600/fullsizeoutput_11c0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1b0emE5cAHhdvHIEJuLAq9FTTxXA90Gd9Nz0r9WvL-xrcMVroYBFQt161ue7xda1tBxZmECysK6vfDcW3YjOOTj1Pllg2gKJ-s4uDQbx5bUa_zOps7SdATb6FoYtU0Fnf8rX6JM49D4/s400/fullsizeoutput_11c0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF engines on east Wilson Street in Batavia</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-50874728660304027062016-09-24T20:51:00.001-05:002016-09-24T20:51:44.347-05:00Crystal Lake: Pumpkin Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlWa9CjBdM5PomWuq45fO6VrDKx0RxzawRDShMf4BaPcl9jLHeOYYO0vBDo1CPcht5t047pZ7Y9bEiHO4oaNt4tVBIxE8hi5eWQP5Cx7xua5J6qlm6PqDV6_RJbi1-scPRfazNfVErxQ/s1600/IMG_9557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlWa9CjBdM5PomWuq45fO6VrDKx0RxzawRDShMf4BaPcl9jLHeOYYO0vBDo1CPcht5t047pZ7Y9bEiHO4oaNt4tVBIxE8hi5eWQP5Cx7xua5J6qlm6PqDV6_RJbi1-scPRfazNfVErxQ/s400/IMG_9557.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Pumpkin Train season! <br />This one was hauling passengers around Crystal Lake's Johnny Appleseed Festival. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCe_NbLGLgC-AfRjoczclTCzDv9bXVNDgxacbhK6TrRfHM3_72gSmDJvxsJ9dKoIsJhRnSjILvRupsSu7VbjP5BqU-sASYhN8Menv45vWmWnkbO8kmUvhbtAIy0SnoOeIN_tBz91eZQM/s1600/IMG_9561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCe_NbLGLgC-AfRjoczclTCzDv9bXVNDgxacbhK6TrRfHM3_72gSmDJvxsJ9dKoIsJhRnSjILvRupsSu7VbjP5BqU-sASYhN8Menv45vWmWnkbO8kmUvhbtAIy0SnoOeIN_tBz91eZQM/s400/IMG_9561.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sept. 24, 2016 in downtown Crystal Lake</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-13356880503269214172016-09-05T21:54:00.000-05:002016-09-05T21:56:26.153-05:00McHenry Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSnKJ3_sLHEFGk-njNdeuIuVLOpyZHj_5xk8veH_Qg-6PuFgaVj67j79ljBRphgCHMPl7KkJEaTKBfTy23IX1dUdqP_36WqeCTHRfTIXzeWXEaZX-bUd80XVUZDJgNPyFgs5n1-Bjdek/s1600/IMG_9323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSnKJ3_sLHEFGk-njNdeuIuVLOpyZHj_5xk8veH_Qg-6PuFgaVj67j79ljBRphgCHMPl7KkJEaTKBfTy23IX1dUdqP_36WqeCTHRfTIXzeWXEaZX-bUd80XVUZDJgNPyFgs5n1-Bjdek/s200/IMG_9323.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metra stop </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhUZR6_aT0z7Jru41VkAKlReO8kN39kQP1ga7zIOHENoRrCkvhXw3W1JzidpTwUoysIUF3OfjDnab-BJ6db5_0JgwqaNTnN6bZatCkYzbTydbP7-IKkPfBs9IbhbfB1X0S_05UvFYYhw/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhUZR6_aT0z7Jru41VkAKlReO8kN39kQP1ga7zIOHENoRrCkvhXw3W1JzidpTwUoysIUF3OfjDnab-BJ6db5_0JgwqaNTnN6bZatCkYzbTydbP7-IKkPfBs9IbhbfB1X0S_05UvFYYhw/s400/IMG_9322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worth the trip! </td></tr>
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<b> McHenry, IL </b> -- A lunchtime stop on the way to a state park took us to McHenry Station. Unfortunately, the building's <a href="http://themainstreetstation.com/">Main Street Station</a> restaurant was closed due to the Labor Day holiday. This wasn't a disappointment, though, because the up-close sight of two parked Metra engines delighted our railroad aficionados.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkpSMKKPJwqPea6cojqWhH9Osr3TqkqC8hFE2V_G6DIN9P1y3CnW9XH9fP8W1Nf6W9D2aAoBO5b3E1sf2uYxce1qxckEZQ06Y_lEd8Hi3AYsfuoE2eBprC9HcU7QzTEbvZQXgzloA8F4/s1600/IMG_9319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkpSMKKPJwqPea6cojqWhH9Osr3TqkqC8hFE2V_G6DIN9P1y3CnW9XH9fP8W1Nf6W9D2aAoBO5b3E1sf2uYxce1qxckEZQ06Y_lEd8Hi3AYsfuoE2eBprC9HcU7QzTEbvZQXgzloA8F4/s200/IMG_9319.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the old RR hardware on the <br />
front door of Main Street Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-IsVyfC8HGPYbgj7Hq8ReSbm0SoZ-VXyHom4OOHgp3uW8WBoeLfF-Txsfb1dJVH9SDFs8oW_3p8A9er1wtxAk-Adr1J9hy5P7lGd4ThG1hEz2TGTcJi2IRuDwe_zR_yxIqzvWUDm-3Y/s1600/IMG_9324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-IsVyfC8HGPYbgj7Hq8ReSbm0SoZ-VXyHom4OOHgp3uW8WBoeLfF-Txsfb1dJVH9SDFs8oW_3p8A9er1wtxAk-Adr1J9hy5P7lGd4ThG1hEz2TGTcJi2IRuDwe_zR_yxIqzvWUDm-3Y/s320/IMG_9324.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dinner for another day</td></tr>
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Lunchtime's Plan B took us to <a href="http://www.windhillpancakeparlor.com/">Windhill Pancake Parlor</a>. Rumor has it they have trains, too, but we only got as far as enjoying the dining room's copious Americana decorations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQsjhualyknFh2utzT4DEjuo1oWeGrNpjD_IyNGlI4gQ3ev_7yBa2njJJ-3Vbweb_cpEMTCxVDvOjBHT1QXII5-QVdpfshbl3TYPpk3JCJqn9AzVIlydArzxE2v4-A-0o1hGUjJ6vHRc/s1600/IMG_9326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQsjhualyknFh2utzT4DEjuo1oWeGrNpjD_IyNGlI4gQ3ev_7yBa2njJJ-3Vbweb_cpEMTCxVDvOjBHT1QXII5-QVdpfshbl3TYPpk3JCJqn9AzVIlydArzxE2v4-A-0o1hGUjJ6vHRc/s320/IMG_9326.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the yummy Wind Hill Pancake Parlor:<br />
We need this sign, too! </td></tr>
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No worries! Having a reason to return for further explorations is not a bad thing!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-11577958033210199102016-08-20T21:33:00.000-05:002016-08-20T21:33:36.818-05:00Lombard: Yorktown Center Train<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnUSDpJ8ITu15fKD3c1V7aPLT3yspDDmzxbvqfL4tpTiiukcmeT6kQuPFkgobK99Ta4MEhRhZqzLENmXz2Omsc2XB0X398T3yX8-B7gUz9AYkEWpwwixZsQb-9ADlodKmwn_ZJQVejS0/s1600/IMG_9219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnUSDpJ8ITu15fKD3c1V7aPLT3yspDDmzxbvqfL4tpTiiukcmeT6kQuPFkgobK99Ta4MEhRhZqzLENmXz2Omsc2XB0X398T3yX8-B7gUz9AYkEWpwwixZsQb-9ADlodKmwn_ZJQVejS0/s320/IMG_9219.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJSwIrygwp1iH-ZQTs773XA4brH3a06j82ARJ99i_QoAmt60GPMMi7eMlvBCbWQ9mccKPNXEVtgl3gwl_HO96k_sAofzSZtyfqRK90h6Vztxa0OVJ94DKFbE0QiVtBANp4-_GZkYQTHg/s1600/IMG_9212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJSwIrygwp1iH-ZQTs773XA4brH3a06j82ARJ99i_QoAmt60GPMMi7eMlvBCbWQ9mccKPNXEVtgl3gwl_HO96k_sAofzSZtyfqRK90h6Vztxa0OVJ94DKFbE0QiVtBANp4-_GZkYQTHg/s200/IMG_9212.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to ride! </td></tr>
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<b> Lombard, IL</b> -- With the big kids back in school, my preschooler and I took advantage of one of his last summer days to go on an excursion for just the two of us. I chose Yorktown Center as our destination since I had heard about the mall's <a href="http://www.yorktowncenter.com/kids-train">train</a> and knew it would be a hit. (Also, my older train lover may be just a bit above the 54 inch maximum passenger height.)<br />
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William and I arrived just as the mall opened, even before the Yorktown Express Train operator had arrived at the station. So we peeked at the tracks from above and browsed through a store or two first. Before long the train was ready for rides. One ride costs $2, payable to an automated kiosk that takes payment in exchange for ride tokens. (William wished that he would have been able to keep the golden coin: "They could scan the train quarter and I could keep it and ride on any train anywhere!") The train operator collected the token then let the sole passenger chose his car. For this first ride, he picked the middle car, but later decided that on any future rides he would ride in the engine. The ride lasts several minutes, enough time to loop around an island of camping mannequins and woodland critters. By the time we left the shopping center an hour or two later several families were watching their young ones enjoy a ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh8EBgnSbUaAPG6pQCQO7qy3PFK1Uhc0NU356Ijw-TflkPFmfLSLE42zfhK00Ql4b2e78d_AzCoRv_oFKbeBsY2UdN0NMDW_CPmtVhEO2fVfteVzJ3Hs-ypvKraJLgfFYP_XuQPzJctQ/s1600/IMG_9211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh8EBgnSbUaAPG6pQCQO7qy3PFK1Uhc0NU356Ijw-TflkPFmfLSLE42zfhK00Ql4b2e78d_AzCoRv_oFKbeBsY2UdN0NMDW_CPmtVhEO2fVfteVzJ3Hs-ypvKraJLgfFYP_XuQPzJctQ/s320/IMG_9211.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the mall's second level</td></tr>
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The Yorktown Express is just one of the fun features for young ones. At the mall's Center Court, a 2,000 square foot soft-surface play area offers ample opportunity to use those wiggly, growing muscles. During a snack or lunch break smaller folks are treated to kid-sized tables in the food court. Any "nature-calls" moments are made easier by the child-sized toilet options in the upstairs family restrooms, assuming kids can get past the cartoons on the TV in the lounge!<br />
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Until this visit, it had been at least 25 years since the last time I had been inside Yorktown Center. I'm impressed with it's brightness, cleanliness and attention to the needs of those bound to spend time in an indoor mall: families of the stroller set. The five-year old enjoyed it enough that he raved about everything to his big brother and sister and wants to bring them back for a train ride soon. I just hope they fit!<br />
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<i>Find <a href="http://www.yorktowncenter.com/">Yorktown Center</a><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i><i>at the northeast corner of Butterfield Road and Highland Avenue in Lombard. It </i><i>is open from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m. everyday except Sunday, when its open 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. The train is located near Marshalls/Homegoods on the main floor. Rides are free on "Toot-toot Tuesdays." </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlN0WswJfLZDLApolvJudykzmU7VHStji7H2P2nh6rsZRV4gQC9FtrkOvLfZQKrC-npyTcJeDTMFPjxMaGf7O09OltqlilQEVrPflYbRQtcUFk_Zytx499b9fHgE6TI3OyxjGE-aWhP4/s1600/IMG_9232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlN0WswJfLZDLApolvJudykzmU7VHStji7H2P2nh6rsZRV4gQC9FtrkOvLfZQKrC-npyTcJeDTMFPjxMaGf7O09OltqlilQEVrPflYbRQtcUFk_Zytx499b9fHgE6TI3OyxjGE-aWhP4/s200/IMG_9232.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This way to the Yorktown Express! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVFFaUUBAkv8JGV7HxvSUpwhPblSrUPO5TTQuvdHZKUL4AmEwfnkahkZxwCpMg5zxBfyUjLRezIL5Kmk4UC1pKEvTnFm6ZGEUHD6-kNE0bAHltWHLAY1z2L0mZ77a_9QMLuE87rCJO4Y/s1600/IMG_9222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVFFaUUBAkv8JGV7HxvSUpwhPblSrUPO5TTQuvdHZKUL4AmEwfnkahkZxwCpMg5zxBfyUjLRezIL5Kmk4UC1pKEvTnFm6ZGEUHD6-kNE0bAHltWHLAY1z2L0mZ77a_9QMLuE87rCJO4Y/s320/IMG_9222.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye until next time! </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-8396827438037657812016-06-20T22:09:00.000-05:002016-06-20T22:09:09.472-05:00Darien: Waterfall Glen<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<b>Darien</b> -- The family spent Father's Day at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien this year. Despite near 90-degree temperatures, the comfortable humidity and ample shade kept our group hiking for a total of more than five miles. Our route stretched from roughly the guard residence at Cass Avenue and Bluff Road, along the Main Route west toward the Scenic Overlook and back again. The prize for this trek was a bit of train-spotting west of the power station and -- a slightly better view -- from the Scenic Overlook. Truth be told, the real highlight of the day was wading at the CCC waterfall in Rocky Glen, but the train tracks were icing on the cake! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the trains rolling by way down the line? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-hud9I92A1TG74JiYafRKZqKeAED4yT4qh0LQSYeBdSCYeVjykjJ1oMbCqb9g-h3Pg1PkPUFGobGcZHSq-v2_3HAG4hK9rX2jJuZVEui8PPs99AOhfZBEUl-Jlx10z9-sjo1zK7xsmI/s1600/IMG_8576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-hud9I92A1TG74JiYafRKZqKeAED4yT4qh0LQSYeBdSCYeVjykjJ1oMbCqb9g-h3Pg1PkPUFGobGcZHSq-v2_3HAG4hK9rX2jJuZVEui8PPs99AOhfZBEUl-Jlx10z9-sjo1zK7xsmI/s640/IMG_8576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching a freight train from Waterfall Glen's scenic overlook on the main trail.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyfJYDKsnXBkc1c7J7pUs2hbVC-4Cg1_yDnzMmeJBGzi5OSY6aQO_vpKeJxuUKxcFhWOsmr_xnP0elJmPZjo6pvaT10q3GtCtHYbPHSGMQB9HBjiufokgtmX8YzHSEwDoDcrF57NwUNo/s1600/IMG_8563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-76595568750367747852016-01-18T17:13:00.000-06:002016-01-18T17:13:26.424-06:00Lisle: Morton Arboretum's Enchanted Railroad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX-1fvCf5OPGRnHx4xdsDiYrtDrQB8XWxD-KxUTb5KxLbBZVnhjoIq0rAeiw57hMBr4b9FIhj5kgYKqeNDKUFvOwLq82BxW4aDAA_sOFpyLFnENqeEO0BlcWXytendldZnAUPfGnNjcI/s1600/IMG_7619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX-1fvCf5OPGRnHx4xdsDiYrtDrQB8XWxD-KxUTb5KxLbBZVnhjoIq0rAeiw57hMBr4b9FIhj5kgYKqeNDKUFvOwLq82BxW4aDAA_sOFpyLFnENqeEO0BlcWXytendldZnAUPfGnNjcI/s200/IMG_7619.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Lisle</b> -- <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last January, our family trip to Morton Arboretum to see the Husky Heroes resulted in a disappointed boy. Seeing the sled dogs in action was fun, even without snow. Unfortunately, the same crowds that came to see the canines also the Enchanted Railroad display. By the time we had seen the dog demonstration and returned to the visitor center for our railroad tickets, the room was too full to admit anyone else for the day. For the past year, I have been promising that we will go to the Arboretum on a less busy day and get in to see those trains. Thank you, frigid January temperatures! On a day that no one wanted to be outside, we had a wonderful time seeing this year's Enchanted Railroad with no crowds at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Enchanted Railroad display features the garden-scale trains of the LGB Model Railroad Club, as well as a specially made engine by "<span style="background-color: white;">Sean Kenney, artist and creator of the popular Nature Connects exhibit of LEGO sculptures displayed at The <a href="http://www.mortonarb.org/events/enchanted-railroad">Morton Arboretum</a> earlier this year." The model trains wind their way through scenes inspired by the arboretum's features and upcoming events in all seasons. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">My preschooler appreciated the kid-level view of the display. Instead of needing a boost from mom or dad, little kids can see the lowest tier of trains at their own level. For those eager fingers who needed to be reminded not to touch the trains, several buttons do allow visitors to run Thomas's train, set off fireworks, and start the spooky sounds of a haunted house. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Enchanted Railroad is open through February 21 and is free with admission to the arboretum. Pick up timed tickets at the Visitor's Center. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here is a peek at some of the train cars you will see:</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall with a drive-in movie in the background, starring you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego train </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-64014918214975216292015-12-26T21:41:00.001-06:002015-12-26T21:41:55.583-06:00St. Charles: Christmas Village and Train Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkreHULjldPa3Mu_8b9BueGG_udpiS79pdI35RZqQ1cUIYCic3vcUi7CKQJ_T_A2kxH89O-GoGW7FRD5LlBM7P_h-161pNKDD7cMX6sTxE2kA1-AXG_qvalbnanJ-_ZoDdetW3a2LR-A/s1600/IMG_7479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkreHULjldPa3Mu_8b9BueGG_udpiS79pdI35RZqQ1cUIYCic3vcUi7CKQJ_T_A2kxH89O-GoGW7FRD5LlBM7P_h-161pNKDD7cMX6sTxE2kA1-AXG_qvalbnanJ-_ZoDdetW3a2LR-A/s200/IMG_7479.JPG" width="150" /></a><b>St. Charles</b> -- The Christmas Village and Train Display at St. Charles Free Methodist Church delighted my boys when we stopped by on the day after Christmas. A layout of more than 10 tracks and 100 houses (according to their <a href="http://stcharlesfmc.org/calendar.htm">website</a>) gives visitors plenty to see. Familiar friends from the island of Sodor zip around one hillside, while the wintertime village is encircled by model railroad cars of mid-century vintage, both diesel and steam. Local landmarks such as Blue Goose Grocery and a Saints-North Stars football game appear as well. </div>
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<i>The Christmas-themed display remains up for guests of all ages on Saturday afternoons in January, 1 p.m. till 6 p.m. The church is located at 214 Walnut Street, St. Charles. </i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-27388486481849586262015-09-29T11:37:00.003-05:002015-09-29T11:39:03.461-05:00South Elgin: Toys R Us <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XdR7qQ1UskLbX4kk_xFenkfLlWctrowWeHdaVNuVdgOQ6-UxreSjQuEEJAbhmNZHEHlcHW3zDZ_IGYgIem2867CeptDMXYxSLqHj4AkFL1LX3H7slZts0DMT6PtAzK86fbUtuecvUWU/s1600/IMG_6670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XdR7qQ1UskLbX4kk_xFenkfLlWctrowWeHdaVNuVdgOQ6-UxreSjQuEEJAbhmNZHEHlcHW3zDZ_IGYgIem2867CeptDMXYxSLqHj4AkFL1LX3H7slZts0DMT6PtAzK86fbUtuecvUWU/s320/IMG_6670.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kid-sized Percy! </td></tr>
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South Elgin -- On a rainy day, it's always good to know where to find train play tables. For kids, of course, any day is a good day to explore Toys R Us. The train aisle in the South Elgin store is easy to find, thanks to a kid-sized Percy on one end and an "Explore Sodor" hands-on display on the other. The standard retail Thomas play table sits in the middle of the generously-sized aisle. This being a toy store, finding any spot where the kids want to stay put for more than two minutes is a good thing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun for boys of all ages.<br />
(Our resident girl was inspecting art and horse toys.) </td></tr>
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<i>Toys R Us/Babies R Us of South Elgin is located at 486 Randall Road. </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-61619996086349620772015-05-30T09:33:00.000-05:002015-05-30T09:33:24.449-05:00Trainspotting: Bartlett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzO07cwaRm1DklvtlOdA_ag4MA0ki9URaWZmZ1uCs3TBvVPPGo4f5pIlAgeM2e10gl0dwnN_vnegK3kLCKxYL2CzTP2K8CPNOYLAUVdlJP4YZe3NNQbQj36c28C2D5J9EamLux9u0lCY/s1600/IMG_6105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzO07cwaRm1DklvtlOdA_ag4MA0ki9URaWZmZ1uCs3TBvVPPGo4f5pIlAgeM2e10gl0dwnN_vnegK3kLCKxYL2CzTP2K8CPNOYLAUVdlJP4YZe3NNQbQj36c28C2D5J9EamLux9u0lCY/s400/IMG_6105.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Trainspotting at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_455272980"></span>Bartlett station</a>: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">"The closest we've ever been to a new Metra!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">(That's a </span>MP36PH-3S, for those keeping track at home.)</span></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-37451374316032636422015-04-07T14:02:00.000-05:002015-04-07T14:02:00.634-05:00Winfield: Gnarly Knots<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJtxxZqcQRiZNLjC_CNIlEDiF6Aektl38YpV6-DJFEeNovUJxCdaoZbWqlIbaDv-QAmDapKoaMiEwhQwE99q4TEOuwNdC-T9xHuesr16SaVBePZe1sorgyB1isO4Z7dEf_HSyWyw4qqU/s1600/IMG_5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJtxxZqcQRiZNLjC_CNIlEDiF6Aektl38YpV6-DJFEeNovUJxCdaoZbWqlIbaDv-QAmDapKoaMiEwhQwE99q4TEOuwNdC-T9xHuesr16SaVBePZe1sorgyB1isO4Z7dEf_HSyWyw4qqU/s1600/IMG_5983.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the door of Gnarly Knots</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Winfield, Illinois</b> -- As the real-estate professionals often tell us, a good site is all about "location, location, location." Translated for grown-ups escorting small ones that means: "trains and food." May I present to you the culinary wonder that is <a href="http://www.gnarlyknots.com/home.html">Gnarly Knots</a> of Winfield. Perhaps like my children, your little folk prefer to get all their dietary needs met through snacking. Gnarly Knots can oblige with a meal-sized pretzel the size of a kid's adorable salty face. Flavors change daily (and sell out quickly), but salted, cheese and pretzel dogs are favorites. Popular as this place is, you might find yourself standing in line for a moment or two. Not to worry. Gnarly Knots is conveniently situated just across the street from the tracks of Union Pacific's <a href="http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/up-w/map.html">West Line</a>. Waiting isn't waiting if it's staring at a Metra zipping by or a UP engine idling on the tracks. (Maybe the engineers needed a snack, too.) Gnarly Knots is just down the road from <a href="http://railroadkids.blogspot.com/search/label/Winfield">Hedges Station Depot</a>, if you need sustenance after a railroad museum visit and a park outing. It's also just around the corner from the Central DuPage Hospital campus, making it even better than a sticker for a post check-up treat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Gnarly Knots: </i><i><span class="editor_color_white"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.25;">27W570 High Lake Road, Winfield, IL </span></span></span></i> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHDt587Lg2ITFJubSsg0i7ctOjJKBnfRe9WM1Mgz31TFdjOT1Beueq6cMJ1DzeIBLGz2T__HlCyq00ogoot3vVi0yEnFZ200XRRg0AEsVwlgKJn9-7d0QUnmZGAjjpCHRk7azyuNnfVE/s1600/IMG_5985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHDt587Lg2ITFJubSsg0i7ctOjJKBnfRe9WM1Mgz31TFdjOT1Beueq6cMJ1DzeIBLGz2T__HlCyq00ogoot3vVi0yEnFZ200XRRg0AEsVwlgKJn9-7d0QUnmZGAjjpCHRk7azyuNnfVE/s1600/IMG_5985.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Gnarly Knots!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-21038340268508209802015-04-07T10:45:00.001-05:002015-04-07T10:45:48.998-05:00Aurora: DCM @ The Mall<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWSjqpaZt2CTEfOPMsWDhYyijVH7KxEDfsEEWfoTiPz9RFg1qWo17p5Q3ygyHZN9EHjl_L-vCCJsUwORDaayDJDwKwP_rfcNH0r1w_W5BUZTb-KDzBWWRVnmxRG0wDnCbEAtdXTnkgEs/s1600/IMG_5895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWSjqpaZt2CTEfOPMsWDhYyijVH7KxEDfsEEWfoTiPz9RFg1qWo17p5Q3ygyHZN9EHjl_L-vCCJsUwORDaayDJDwKwP_rfcNH0r1w_W5BUZTb-KDzBWWRVnmxRG0wDnCbEAtdXTnkgEs/s1600/IMG_5895.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to DCM @ The Mall</td></tr>
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<b>Aurora, Illinois</b> -- The need for an indoor playdate recently brought my family to <a href="http://www.westfield.com/foxvalley/entertainment/events/">Westfield Fox Valley Mall</a> and the temporary quarters of DuPage Children's Museum, or <a href="http://dupagechildrens.org/dcm-mall-mini-museum/#">DCM @ the Mall</a>. In January, the museum's Naperville building flooded due to a burst pipe. Thanks to a partnership with Fox Valley Mall, the children's museum currently has several of its exhibits set up in a storefront near the second level of Carson Pirie Scott. Patrons of are invited to "pay as you will," then enjoy exhibits such as magnetic tiles, blocks, "Ramps and Rollers" and the Creativity Studio. (Classes are also offered at this location.) To my delight, this scaled-down version of DCM engaged my children with building exhibits that they often skip in favor of the flashier activities at the "real" museum. With no noisy water table or wind tunnel to entice them, all the kids in our group were eagerly creating giant Tinker Toy towers, magnetic title structures and complex marble runs. In a nod to the Metra trains that pass DCM's Naperville site, two colorful trains flank the entrance of DCM @ The Mall and welcome imaginary engineering. Fox Valley's trackless train has been cleverly routed past DCM @ The Mall giving that same, "Hey, look! A Train!" moment indoors that guests have watching real diesel engines from the windows of the Naperville museum.<br />
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DCM @ The Mall is a perfect rainy day outing or any-day trek with the littles. Combined with shopping for the grownups and the mall's other activities for kids (<a href="http://www.westfield.com/foxvalley/services/service-list/">Playspace</a>! <a href="http://www.westfield.com/foxvalley/entertainment/events/9176">Bungee Bounce</a>!), Fox Valley Mall makes it easy to spend several hours being well entertained.<br />
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<i>Fox Valley Mall is on the west side of Illinois Route 59 between New York Street and McCoy Drive. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dDqAe0n11ltdeZSTMPNGBW0F_ahiYPESAEGgAYMYqtbkHYqUiV3XNPSh_eCaSJBLrKfJbnevY56hjro0bCGwTvkbcyYWe8UgmxBMfzR8QMaMdQrlR4cDozvYaPNirljiDw72hH4gD-4/s1600/IMG_5891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dDqAe0n11ltdeZSTMPNGBW0F_ahiYPESAEGgAYMYqtbkHYqUiV3XNPSh_eCaSJBLrKfJbnevY56hjro0bCGwTvkbcyYWe8UgmxBMfzR8QMaMdQrlR4cDozvYaPNirljiDw72hH4gD-4/s1600/IMG_5891.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make your own tracks!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn9K-pPmR8mUQhG_0nauGiYo5WtTRN-XPA2Ha74-HNI7tbTkyByWAPP6Z1C6ak6mEop1GRcDVxuJeScIXdq5Iv5c7d1Sevhk-iNEOOgmSAQxxsfQGbDwL4dU8ZYkWSe29XPt_vK6PbKo/s1600/IMG_5896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn9K-pPmR8mUQhG_0nauGiYo5WtTRN-XPA2Ha74-HNI7tbTkyByWAPP6Z1C6ak6mEop1GRcDVxuJeScIXdq5Iv5c7d1Sevhk-iNEOOgmSAQxxsfQGbDwL4dU8ZYkWSe29XPt_vK6PbKo/s1600/IMG_5896.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two colorful trains flank the entrance of DCM @ The Mall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApT16JQNpmPuVqpHKjM2ecCW23x_nGZFKL1v_sHmTs-wmWViJ7_QqYqqKeMUhbwSqT3fsgWYXlkIzZi_7RT146pLZvpBgEIKw1c6NUeXUTJIYrbBcppyR97axv2rfCStIoP_xt_vml9g/s1600/IMG_5894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApT16JQNpmPuVqpHKjM2ecCW23x_nGZFKL1v_sHmTs-wmWViJ7_QqYqqKeMUhbwSqT3fsgWYXlkIzZi_7RT146pLZvpBgEIKw1c6NUeXUTJIYrbBcppyR97axv2rfCStIoP_xt_vml9g/s1600/IMG_5894.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone is disappointed that the mall's trackless train left without taking him along for the ride!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-34607159298382985032015-04-07T09:42:00.000-05:002015-04-07T09:42:21.125-05:00Schaumburg: Legoland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhml3Z4DDjtv0DZPXffLIjLjV1Z4UWrt-HOJm7kaRZHxhTcw01iojwW18cY-PmrdZk8Rl1b7Pu70700NvgkANOhmdVTSNjaaX-JP7FWLAJrl0PYVa0f4v9R0Hxaz0meDzJg_P0-ljgwg/s1600/IMG_5619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhml3Z4DDjtv0DZPXffLIjLjV1Z4UWrt-HOJm7kaRZHxhTcw01iojwW18cY-PmrdZk8Rl1b7Pu70700NvgkANOhmdVTSNjaaX-JP7FWLAJrl0PYVa0f4v9R0Hxaz0meDzJg_P0-ljgwg/s1600/IMG_5619.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Schaumburg, Illinois</b> -- During the holidays, our family took a long-promised trip to <a href="https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/chicago/">Legoland Discovery Center</a> in honor of Eldest Child's birthday. Here are a few views of the El as portrayed in the <a href="https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/chicago/our-attractions/attraction/99/miniland-chicago.aspx">Miniland Chicago</a> exhibit. According to Legoland's website, almost two million bricks are used to depict Chicago's landmarks. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwbVGv7XvLkF_87AwZPx6Z7rtqCsvGKHzQmvr1CRabxrslOtoBd6hEfwGcjM0uyoV8qeiyADCay3ZGoIt0SpiqkcVVjY2bCNkQOQLLRuZl7jQ7XLxUAnbTDSlyMLSBXH2ZJWold_9gfI/s1600/IMG_5623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwbVGv7XvLkF_87AwZPx6Z7rtqCsvGKHzQmvr1CRabxrslOtoBd6hEfwGcjM0uyoV8qeiyADCay3ZGoIt0SpiqkcVVjY2bCNkQOQLLRuZl7jQ7XLxUAnbTDSlyMLSBXH2ZJWold_9gfI/s1600/IMG_5623.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The El zips back and forth </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEJSq-i7bd0tsG-jw3DVIZileHCgSnm1kF842V1KCefiETSbENaN68onmuWf_nbOa9T-qElmSgDk_uzSeUgcVlZHreHguj8ElMNI_UkQ1l6NJPqdQSVZVPBQioAZgJ3206GNsE2GG0Rw/s1600/IMG_5622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEJSq-i7bd0tsG-jw3DVIZileHCgSnm1kF842V1KCefiETSbENaN68onmuWf_nbOa9T-qElmSgDk_uzSeUgcVlZHreHguj8ElMNI_UkQ1l6NJPqdQSVZVPBQioAZgJ3206GNsE2GG0Rw/s1600/IMG_5622.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brick city at night</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-15664308143820675602014-12-22T22:56:00.001-06:002014-12-22T22:57:05.751-06:00Batavia: Depot Museum ornament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZHMkrbqHr_eMiC1jO-TP5gwtbgIDRk_t2jt4JSThmSQ5TE0DOihHlCIZEJvQga0V3zIEzB2OYDGCgogL_q_fhXpuOMdUEntjF-pfTf1Lj6m2ez1pMYZrjFwcaAAyTVkmDLAOo4qBg6Y/s1600/IMG_5502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZHMkrbqHr_eMiC1jO-TP5gwtbgIDRk_t2jt4JSThmSQ5TE0DOihHlCIZEJvQga0V3zIEzB2OYDGCgogL_q_fhXpuOMdUEntjF-pfTf1Lj6m2ez1pMYZrjFwcaAAyTVkmDLAOo4qBg6Y/s1600/IMG_5502.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Batavia, Illinois</b> -- Look what Santa will be leaving <i>on</i> the tree at our house this week. Batavia's history museum is featured as this year's collectable ornament in celebration of the depot's 160th anniversary. It is available in the <a href="http://www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org/">museum</a> gift shop or, where I found it, at the <a href="http://www.bataviaparks.org/hours-of-operation">Batavia Park District</a>'s Civic Center office. Ornaments are $10 each. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now all the Christmas trains circling my tree can finally have a station! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-23706253307194770432014-09-03T14:18:00.000-05:002014-09-03T14:18:10.769-05:00Union: Illinois Railroad Museum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS-C643pOS1SdaB0xeBVPmrpq1_GkDOUWBWE9fwqAXrBAMLGdPanlQ3aDTYKglf-PeKYBGPdC2pN4hF1D8PxTWO6DYjZkmmq6Rl9JDql9KVyc0KKoGJnFVGctJow6CWmDSBXipiJWVz4/s1600/IMG_8027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS-C643pOS1SdaB0xeBVPmrpq1_GkDOUWBWE9fwqAXrBAMLGdPanlQ3aDTYKglf-PeKYBGPdC2pN4hF1D8PxTWO6DYjZkmmq6Rl9JDql9KVyc0KKoGJnFVGctJow6CWmDSBXipiJWVz4/s1600/IMG_8027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><b>Union, Illinois</b> -- It's the summer of steam for this train-loving family! Thanks to a prize-winning raffle ticket held by my three-year old at a library event this summer, we were the happy recipients of a family pass to the <a href="http://www.irm.org/">Illinois Railway Museum</a> in Union. We took advantage of the tickets over the Labor Day weekend, and enjoyed a visit to one of our favorite day trip sites in the area. It's been a few years since our last visit to IRM so we were thrilled to discover that locomotive #<a href="http://www.irm.org/cgi-bin/rsearch.cgi?steam=St.+Louis-San+Francisco+Railroad=1630">1630</a> has been operational this season and we would be there on a scheduled steam ride day. As it happened, that every engine was chugging past the parking lot as we pulled in, welcoming us with the characteristic deep toot of the whistle. Of course, a ride on the 1630 was the first destination of our visit once we entered the IRM grounds. Compared to the later ride on a relatively modern CTA train, the characteristic chuf-chuf of the engine and sway of the cars leaves passengers no doubt that they are riding something of a time machine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1630 pulling into the station</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to pull out of the station</td></tr>
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The railroad museum's collection of engines, cars, signals, and memorabilia is staggering. Long barns filled with rolling stock house family favorites such as the Nebraska Zephyr and streetcars that once rolled through our hometown (long before our time!). The kids loved checking out the compartments of Pullman sleeper cars, although Mom and Dad found them just a bit claustrophobic. We endured the mild shame of entering the wrong door of the trolley car for a ride around the entire grounds -- go in through the back, out through the front. Yet, as always, the kids may have been most wowed by the playground. IRM has recently installed substantial trained-themed play equipment giving both toddlers and older climbers the chance to work off the wiggles and play engineer in a safe place.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new playground at IRM </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering through <br />the interurban car barn</td></tr>
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After almost five hours and three train rides, which seemed too few for our 8-year old, we called it a day, but only after a visit to the expansive gift shop. It's a paradise of train toys, knickknacks and mementos, so come with your spending money or be ready to repeat, "We are not shopping for us today!"<div>
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The museum remains open daily in September with trains operating on the weekends. Check the <a href="http://www.irm.org/schedule/index.html#specialevents">website </a>for special fall and winter events, including Halloween and Christmas activities, coming up in the weeks to come. </div>
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<i>The Illinois Railway Museum is at 700 Olson Road in Union, Illinois.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the wheels of the Grand Trunk Western 6323</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wise words</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-8844567354824095412014-08-13T15:12:00.002-05:002014-08-13T15:12:29.113-05:00Naperville: Saying goodbye to TRAINS! at the DuPage Children's Museum <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Naperville, IL</b> -- During my family's annual summer visit to the <a href="http://dupagechildrens.org/">DuPage Children's Museum</a> in Naperville, we said goodbye to a beloved exhibit. TRAINS! ends its two-year run at the end of this month. Before the museum closes for it's September hiatus, squeeze in a final visit or two to see the model train, "drive" or "ride" a Metra, be a ticket agent, operate a crane, or enjoy a great selection of books and artwork about railroads. A farewell party is planned for the evening of August 22 beginning at 5 p.m. Kids will be able to enjoy rides on two child-sized trains running in the parking lot during the event. Parents can RSVP for the festivities via the museum's <a href="http://dupagechildrens.org/event/say-goodbye-trains/?utm_source=DuPage+Children%27s+Museum+Email+List&utm_campaign=9be6f7a217-eNews_2014-05-28&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d8cea4cc50-9be6f7a217-15062345&goal=0_d8cea4cc50-9be6f7a217-15062345">web form</a>. Goodbye, TRAINS! You will be missed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-101272630243268482014-08-12T22:28:00.006-05:002014-08-12T22:37:36.224-05:00Railroad Roadtrip: Trains in Wisconsin's Northwoods<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">At the Minocqua Museum</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Northern Wisconsin</b> -- Ah, the Northwoods: a vacation paradise of forests, lakes and trains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For families who head Up North on their summer vacation, a day away from the cabin can include a whistle stop at local museums with charming model train layouts and retired railroad cars. More avid railroad fans can even enjoy the rare opportunity to ride an operational steam train. This being a tourist paradise, the non-train lover will be rewarded for coming along for the ride with fun sites to see and things to do at the very same spots.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Main-level layout at Minocqua Museum</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Large layout at the Minocqua Museum</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">MINOCQUA</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My family recently returned from our first Northwoods vacation in several years. We knew our week in the woods would include a few train stops, but the first was a chance discovery. During a morning visit to <a href="http://www.minocqua.org/">Minocqua</a> we were in need of rest rooms and turned to the <a href="http://www.minocqua.org/all-members/minocqua-museum.html">Minocqua Museum </a>in our time of need. Lo and behold, what should we discover upon entering but a delightful model train layout on the main level and an even larger layout in the museum's basement. Both illustrate the area's history as towns grew up around railroad lines thanks to logging and tourism industries in the late 19th century. My boys were captivated by both layouts and appreciated being able to operate some of the trains with the push of a button. As is so often the case at small museums, the engineer on hand, who had built both layouts, was eager to share his love of history and trains with our family. (For my daughter, who was less entranced with the trains, other exhibits fascinated her, including sitting in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_(automobile)">Cameron</a> automobile and playing teacher in the schoolhouse exhibit.)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">LAONA</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lumberjack Steam Train</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laona, Wisconsin</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The very next day, our family headed in the opposite direction to little Laona, Wisconsin for a ride on the <a href="http://lumberjacksteamtrain.com/">Lumberjack Steam Train</a>. Despite our many visits to train museums and countless train rides, this day marked our first family experience with a real, running steam engine. In truth, it was the dad of the family who was most excited to finally experience the puff-puff, chug-chug! According to the museum, the "Laona & Northern Railway was incorporated in 1902. ... It is the only logging railroad engine left in Wisconsin operating on its original line." The engine itself, a 2-6-2 for those of you who count wheels, was built in 1916.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RdIZH4QF7l6pGPIB2ROofvqR_4wX-YT9ZiFWkcEp9k3xTBbi7bTliLy1jz5DE5iBq0pcR4t-Pvyv4T4DQpTgBkTRMg9X2FCZpj0GH-gKaz2l7gu5PywyqxYIWTiDvbdEmnGSGY06Y-0/s1600/2014_08_05_13_17_12-IMG_4816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RdIZH4QF7l6pGPIB2ROofvqR_4wX-YT9ZiFWkcEp9k3xTBbi7bTliLy1jz5DE5iBq0pcR4t-Pvyv4T4DQpTgBkTRMg9X2FCZpj0GH-gKaz2l7gu5PywyqxYIWTiDvbdEmnGSGY06Y-0/s1600/2014_08_05_13_17_12-IMG_4816.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playground at Camp 5 </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96l6mfRa13HT8I7BnJwSy8kQ0-fPsAluxOBB1aacKoRF3V56hZjMqbdBGmh9IokaeeIcUtzct_fV8ievuVbo4pAEBegM_2nfkPN_S0spisSSk0kCqJ2ybrykGxliY0BW24hrJpmtF0Qc/s1600/2014_08_05_14_47_59-IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96l6mfRa13HT8I7BnJwSy8kQ0-fPsAluxOBB1aacKoRF3V56hZjMqbdBGmh9IokaeeIcUtzct_fV8ievuVbo4pAEBegM_2nfkPN_S0spisSSk0kCqJ2ybrykGxliY0BW24hrJpmtF0Qc/s1600/2014_08_05_14_47_59-IMG_4836.JPG" height="200" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View from the caboose cupola</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On our ride from the Laona station to Camp 5 (a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places) we sat in the Open Car. Thanks to the Plexiglass shielding we were able to enjoy a view of the engine pushing us backwards to the camp without experiencing the grit that would have been a feature of steam travel in days gone by. Two coach passenger cars were an option for riders as well, as two -- yes, two -- bright yellow cabooses. The ride lasted not much more than 10 minutes, but it wound through beautiful woods, across level crossings and a lake-side bridge, finally ending in the picturesque Camp 5. During our two-hour visit, our middle-child was rewarded for her train tolerance with a visit to the Animal Petting Corral where she and her brothers were able to pet kittens, hold bunnies, and get close to goats, pigs, chickens and a calf. Everyone enjoyed also wandering through the forestry museum -- nothing like seeing the real tools of actual loggers to put that <a href="http://www.paulbunyans.com/">Paul Bunyan Cook Shanty breakfast</a> into perspective. Of course, no matter where we go, the kids always like the park the best, so the playground next to the "Choo-Choo Hut" cafe could have entertained them for hours. When it was time say goodbye to Camp 5, the kids skipped over the passenger cars in favor of a caboose seat, willing to wait 20 minutes in the cupola to hold their places up high and mastering the art of small talk with other kids doing the very same thing. After we returned to the station and spent some time gazing at the train from the safety of a conveniently placed swing set, we pulled out of the parking lot with a send-off blow of the train whistle and a wave from the locomotive's engineer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97weVji4-m3A1WPgnwi9wgUUjHCO8QZjPjczQrf4HQO9sa-ejsH3zOFYJssuae3f_7o7IExPCW1HcuODU4dTCI193gO_8rjgBGK8NmnT-Ry2hsyBvllbCeQVfHgD8Z1C7CCqVs2da-NY/s1600/2014_08_05_14_24_03-IMG_4822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97weVji4-m3A1WPgnwi9wgUUjHCO8QZjPjczQrf4HQO9sa-ejsH3zOFYJssuae3f_7o7IExPCW1HcuODU4dTCI193gO_8rjgBGK8NmnT-Ry2hsyBvllbCeQVfHgD8Z1C7CCqVs2da-NY/s1600/2014_08_05_14_24_03-IMG_4822.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cabooses!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvNvBq7Z0_pP9lzLGd5Mh9j51nAIpjachWFXxxSPE0IgzxenNoj9Cr53oaQi7B4sVTWzF_IU3j8odATUv_Ign-AzY92O0pnKgid95_oImQORaQiUvBNp_MMh3QgZBGaUTLnqz6CwiCes/s1600/2014_08_05_14_55_27-IMG_4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvNvBq7Z0_pP9lzLGd5Mh9j51nAIpjachWFXxxSPE0IgzxenNoj9Cr53oaQi7B4sVTWzF_IU3j8odATUv_Ign-AzY92O0pnKgid95_oImQORaQiUvBNp_MMh3QgZBGaUTLnqz6CwiCes/s1600/2014_08_05_14_55_27-IMG_4841.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After disembarking from the return trip,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> children took turns tooting the steam whistle</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">RHINELANDER</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJCp6-_aY869BfmBfhblBD_H6_G40YTX218kbEf2NmXQFM36gJo9sAZPEIOx4Otc_uMa4jpf9v_K_b57gjXigWmQk6vtEU3JeL9vcD8WflMvJckbgim3Xcgg6l7CwDDUbZ8KlkNes1O0/s1600/2014_08_07_10_42_02-IMG_4872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJCp6-_aY869BfmBfhblBD_H6_G40YTX218kbEf2NmXQFM36gJo9sAZPEIOx4Otc_uMa4jpf9v_K_b57gjXigWmQk6vtEU3JeL9vcD8WflMvJckbgim3Xcgg6l7CwDDUbZ8KlkNes1O0/s1600/2014_08_07_10_42_02-IMG_4872.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Steam Hauler" for pulling sleighs loaded with logs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Our final train trek took us to Pioneer Park in Rhinelander. According to the museum docents who welcomed us, most kids head straight to the same place mine dashed upon entering the grounds: the Rhinelander Railroad Museum and Model Railroad. Its focal point is the circa 1890 Soo Line depot, which features four rooms of railroad memorabilia, including telegraph equipment that my 2-year old found most compelling. The <a href="http://www.rrahome.org/">Rhinelander Rail Association</a> operates the model railroad layout on the lower level, providing a glimpse of the community's history as the rail lines and town centers would have appeared in the early twentieth century. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcuKIRTZAwnKR6GrSDd1NmUots78m37f9zK4H_2XczW9qavADjYL9_iOTmitZNl7MiVokYc-s61BWh9vyBpyUjGBLfWzDi52iGJEqJI6LCDZERzWLDv45TnHi9j6i8MPnOs0V3Gm83s4/s1600/2014_08_07_10_26_40-IMG_4865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcuKIRTZAwnKR6GrSDd1NmUots78m37f9zK4H_2XczW9qavADjYL9_iOTmitZNl7MiVokYc-s61BWh9vyBpyUjGBLfWzDi52iGJEqJI6LCDZERzWLDv45TnHi9j6i8MPnOs0V3Gm83s4/s1600/2014_08_07_10_26_40-IMG_4865.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Model train display by the Rhinelander Rail Association</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKNS5S-v-QWVjKhXRWtQj0ORY0HE57y4Tvyb1vOtaH6LPCDtazvWclBxCjpnaTHBKO_nkIef1sX6PU5eGxYwzvaAOWLhAULiNoOLvHt_XcLAcpcjdupsRL1_CUwbw5Z6QrhAzEaSAe3A/s1600/2014_08_07_10_52_48-IMG_4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKNS5S-v-QWVjKhXRWtQj0ORY0HE57y4Tvyb1vOtaH6LPCDtazvWclBxCjpnaTHBKO_nkIef1sX6PU5eGxYwzvaAOWLhAULiNoOLvHt_XcLAcpcjdupsRL1_CUwbw5Z6QrhAzEaSAe3A/s1600/2014_08_07_10_52_48-IMG_4873.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of a mural outside the Firebarn. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Outside the depot, visitors may inspect the 1925 narrow gauge steam engine and a passenger car from the Thunder Lake Lumber Company, a caboose from the Soo Line Railroad, a signal tower, and many other equipment pieces. Kids can walk through the caboose, but at this time the passenger car is being restored and is not open for inside visits. Due to the age of the equipment, climbing on the locomotive is also forbidden, however, a museum brochure points to the cow catcher on the front of the engine as a fine place for posed photos. (While there, take note of the narrowness of the narrow-gauge tracks: just 36 inches apart, compared to the 56 inches between the rails of standard trains.) </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnbruAIc96ESIto64l1p1KkmpbqQ-5eksduRZFgqcPcXDYhY6HgEEkVqVGTMVbeIsCMlOqgcbaYivMfiQfUfHbY9wqYRXbEjqULVOueq7H9tQ40lbAgnYXWzmOziEGqR4C1pephrV2ic/s1600/2014_08_07_10_22_26-IMG_4864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnbruAIc96ESIto64l1p1KkmpbqQ-5eksduRZFgqcPcXDYhY6HgEEkVqVGTMVbeIsCMlOqgcbaYivMfiQfUfHbY9wqYRXbEjqULVOueq7H9tQ40lbAgnYXWzmOziEGqR4C1pephrV2ic/s1600/2014_08_07_10_22_26-IMG_4864.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Number 5," a narrow-gauge locomotive</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This museum also features several additional exhibits depicting the varied history of the region and diverse interests of guests. Other sites include a sawmill, one-room school house, Civilian Conservation Corps camp building, restored fire engines, blacksmith shop, boating museum, logging displays, and a gift shop. Aside from the trains, my kids were most engaged by the school house with its sand table and collection of rubber stamps -- apparently children across the generations enjoy spending their free time at school in similar ways. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After visiting the <a href="http://thehodag.com/">Hodag </a>in the gift shop -- Babe the Blue Ox isn't the only mysterious creature of the northwoods -- we were begged yet again to head for the playground next to the museum for some running, climbing, and sliding. It was the end of the line our train adventures. We needed a day of playing in the woods and the lake before saying "All aboard" to the family van and heading home. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUASt5f_RiiY5iN5GIDSUAgyAbozQtL0tzng21FJH2KnC56iOjSJQx_TnNtxSUOM6WboMW52lzQ9ZQyn7vitUn0N-gS3ZgaBKZIYvIGiVk6LwHgpDiGDeifQER4ZV41Rrl-m76Ut4xtG4/s1600/2014_08_07_10_41_00-IMG_4870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUASt5f_RiiY5iN5GIDSUAgyAbozQtL0tzng21FJH2KnC56iOjSJQx_TnNtxSUOM6WboMW52lzQ9ZQyn7vitUn0N-gS3ZgaBKZIYvIGiVk6LwHgpDiGDeifQER4ZV41Rrl-m76Ut4xtG4/s1600/2014_08_07_10_41_00-IMG_4870.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soo Line Caboose from the 1880s</span></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-56253455100454345162014-07-30T14:31:00.000-05:002014-07-30T14:31:17.016-05:00Geneva: Trackless Train at Famfest 2014<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Geneva</b> -- Check out the schedule for <a href="http://www.fbcmillcreek.org/event.aspx?site_id=11276&event_id=396863">Famfest 2014</a> at Faith Baptist Church in Geneva for an afternoon of kid-pleasing activities, including rides on a trackless train. The event happens this Saturday, August 2 starting at noon. Activities are free, but registration is required via the church's <a href="http://www.fbcmillcreek.org/form.aspx?form_id=413333">online form</a>. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-22219619266389457202014-06-28T21:49:00.001-05:002014-06-28T21:49:41.797-05:00Glen Ellyn: Free Cupcakes at 2 Toots!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Psst, there are free cupcakes to be had at 2 Toots this weekend! Here's the email we received: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Get a FREE cupcake delivered to you by train!
<br /> <br />Just a friendly reminder.* When you sit down to eat for the Illinois
Wounded Warrior's Weekend - June 28-29 2014 - at the Glen Ellyn, 2 Toots
Train Whistle Grill, mention that you "WANT TO MEET SHAUN." He is the
new owner/operator. And, as a show of thanks for your patronage, you
will receive a FREE cupcake. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><b class="moz-txt-star">Offer Expires: June 29, 2014 at 8:00PM Central Time"</b></span><br />
<b class="moz-txt-star"><span class="moz-txt-tag"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Read more about the new owner of 2 Toots Train Whistle Grill in the <a href="http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2014/06/25/2toots-plans-to-create-jobs-for-veterans-start-strong-in-glen-ellyn/ag8tsho/">Daily Herald</a>. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-15830002487511121612014-06-13T23:14:00.001-05:002014-06-13T23:16:34.508-05:00Warrenville: St. James' Farm Caboose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Warrenville, Illinois </b>-- A few weekends ago, my family was introduced to the gem that is St. James Farm. The property, now part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, originally served as a private retreat for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCormick_family" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">McCormick family</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> of International Harvester fame. They left behind remarkable dairy and equestrian facilities, as well as an impressive collection of sculpture. Visitors can now enjoy the preserve's more than 600 acres by trail, or by simply enjoying fishing or picnicking.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EhfBdSyX7AmL_H_7VxVV7WPq6cZtYKflOv2OT8h_tMg7IhrQepLBExSSwh4I5Liz17DT8z2DySe7lCmFbIkAiPUH3aBe_Z64tHO-iMyjSxEQUiXLRAYA9tXI4hFfgwURXZgtqJuljr8/s1600/IMG_4294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EhfBdSyX7AmL_H_7VxVV7WPq6cZtYKflOv2OT8h_tMg7IhrQepLBExSSwh4I5Liz17DT8z2DySe7lCmFbIkAiPUH3aBe_Z64tHO-iMyjSxEQUiXLRAYA9tXI4hFfgwURXZgtqJuljr8/s1600/IMG_4294.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of special interest to my group, of course, was the 1906 Burlington & Quincy Caboose. This railcar first came to St. James Farm during the McCormick family's days here to entertain children and it still fulfills its mission. Kids rush to board the caboose and see the equipment still featured from its' days as working rail stock. On the day we visited, a hay-ride guide told us a push button sets the caboose to rocking to emulate the feel of a train really rolling down the track. (We could only find plenty of kids to wiggle it on the rails in their own way.)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this vintage<br />Burlington dish towel!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To learn more about what really went on in the caboose during its operational days and why it ended up at St. James Farm, make a trip to the farm Saturday, June 14 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Visitors will hear about the jobs of the brakeman and conductor and the CA & E Railroad. The <a href="http://www.dupageforest.com/Calendar.aspx?id=4742&startDate=6/14/2014%2011:30:00%20AM">program </a>is free for kids under 5, $2 for kids 5-12 and $5 for adults. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Enter St James Farm at Winfield Road. The preserve is just north of Butterfield Road (Illinois 56). For a map, click <a href="http://www.dupageforest.com/uploadedFiles/Content/District_News/Plans_and_Projects/St.%20James.514(1).pdf">here</a>. </i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the caboose</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-5787985366912961372014-06-13T22:30:00.000-05:002014-06-13T22:30:27.287-05:00West Chicago: Caboose at Reed-Keppler Park <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VgX2_-gYFH5OQJb7N8hoXRwjGnvm6khaet1oK6QRjbzFAFCtETviWPYqpV6ZdVUvqLxQjQv3brAmDwatE7vAgd6eAJ94h96SgF7Wx7pJussUdg5-Tncx8cByAjQPswpoEqkl9misyqo/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VgX2_-gYFH5OQJb7N8hoXRwjGnvm6khaet1oK6QRjbzFAFCtETviWPYqpV6ZdVUvqLxQjQv3brAmDwatE7vAgd6eAJ94h96SgF7Wx7pJussUdg5-Tncx8cByAjQPswpoEqkl9misyqo/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>West Chicago, Illinois</b> -- Thanks to a gift from the Canadian National Railway, visitors to the Turtle Splash water park at <a href="http://www.we-goparks.org/reed-keppler-park.asp">Reed-Keppler Park</a> are treated to the sight of an E, J & E caboose at the western edge of the parking lot. (Old and new technology meet these days as heavy equipment is currently busy constructing the community's new ARC recreation center, also just west of the splash park.) The caboose previously resided in Joliet, according to <a href="http://wegonews.net/archives/1256-around-and-about-in-west-chicago-11-apr-2013.html">"Around and About in West Chicago." </a>The caboose arrived in West Chicago via truck in April 2013. More information about West Chicago's railroad history is available on the City Museum <a href="http://www.westchicago.org/blogs/asenseofplace/index.html">blog</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIfg6jZoVLHjYdG8ODSmxipCUV-lIo1GVTZJl6zvn3pbFW0uEnvz4WlLeEDMTJbXhDTD_XJGGI1CWxWRsO7Nz_DrTpCWA8_MgUIkRaXs0dzf4e24OMqLgT2gm_a5edMWEMainpE0HtPk/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIfg6jZoVLHjYdG8ODSmxipCUV-lIo1GVTZJl6zvn3pbFW0uEnvz4WlLeEDMTJbXhDTD_XJGGI1CWxWRsO7Nz_DrTpCWA8_MgUIkRaXs0dzf4e24OMqLgT2gm_a5edMWEMainpE0HtPk/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reed-Keppler Park is located at 129 W. National St., West Chicago. </i></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-45080858090329136922014-06-13T21:56:00.000-05:002014-06-13T21:56:19.246-05:00Batavia: Summer Hours for Depot Museum<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1ctUI2YYaANMmxYamoasX0ckXpWGzPtg3nr2DABrnm6lW7vDAcAqOflm22JN4F1LPPRezBo_KE5Xyo7Dvqjrk2fFSWQG7iF1Px2c0CZpeIFs1SN-Pl4CqfOE61yxgxNFyscLRojH6u0/s1600/IMG_4445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1ctUI2YYaANMmxYamoasX0ckXpWGzPtg3nr2DABrnm6lW7vDAcAqOflm22JN4F1LPPRezBo_KE5Xyo7Dvqjrk2fFSWQG7iF1Px2c0CZpeIFs1SN-Pl4CqfOE61yxgxNFyscLRojH6u0/s1600/IMG_4445.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqvs2BJ-TioKCTDEWmtAOyBiXQtosK98je-sMbF6ynFqPKyBHqLcLwuTNxYNT8r1oE5xcrtc6tfcFR5mnIN01_czKWEbPi4ZUEx3tjieD_gzZZ75f_G0LaWcVqSJD7jQFF4VTgOThQfc/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqvs2BJ-TioKCTDEWmtAOyBiXQtosK98je-sMbF6ynFqPKyBHqLcLwuTNxYNT8r1oE5xcrtc6tfcFR5mnIN01_czKWEbPi4ZUEx3tjieD_gzZZ75f_G0LaWcVqSJD7jQFF4VTgOThQfc/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Batavia, Illinois</b> -- Batavia's Depot Museum has posted "new summer hours." The depot will now be open longer on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from noon until 4 p.m. The depot is located next to the Fox River Trail at the northeast corner of Houston and Water streets </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">in downtown Batavia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Information about the museum is available at it's <a href="http://www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org/depot_museum.htm">website</a>. </span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-77984812844258857412014-06-13T08:10:00.000-05:002014-06-13T08:10:26.816-05:00Geneva: Model Railroad Display at Swedish Days<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Geneva, Illinois -- </b>Chicago's LGB Railroad Club returns to the Geneva History Center June 17 through 22 with the club's display train layout and other activities in honor of the 65th <a href="http://www.genevachamber.com/pdf/Website%20Brochure.pdf">Swedish Days</a> festival. The train is a large scale layout. The center will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.genevahistorycenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=532">Geneva History Center</a> is located at 113 S. Third Street in downtown Geneva across from the old courthouse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-74973532936036110492014-06-11T17:00:00.001-05:002014-06-11T17:00:40.550-05:00Maple Park: Orchard Train Coming to Kuipers Family Farm<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0mz_rwRnBqHMnRHt3azoqd04T0nOH-K_XPEpcFkFqVZ-94dd_CbTKV1C0odEDg0bCQ3Lfp4m6pdf2Om9iVmwkfUyB2zsOra9pk4tP4yinvFZwvOlMsEX7se8-xNL4S3ZtiBQwBOm-jQ/s1600/15_29_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0mz_rwRnBqHMnRHt3azoqd04T0nOH-K_XPEpcFkFqVZ-94dd_CbTKV1C0odEDg0bCQ3Lfp4m6pdf2Om9iVmwkfUyB2zsOra9pk4tP4yinvFZwvOlMsEX7se8-xNL4S3ZtiBQwBOm-jQ/s1600/15_29_21.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first visit to Kuipers in 2007.<br />Future visits could include a train ride<br />among the autumn activities</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Maple Park, Ill. </b> -- All aboard the orchard train! According to an <a href="http://www.kcchronicle.com/2014/06/10/county-oks-weddings-at-kuipers/a1alozo/">article </a>in today's Kane County Chronicle, <a href="http://www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com/">Kuipers Family Farm</a> has been given the okay to install a train for guests to ride. The Kane County Board approved the action during this week's <a href="http://www.countyofkane.org/Lists/Events/Attachments/3497/AG%20PKT%20-%2014%20June%20COB.pdf">meeting</a>. The train may not be ready for little engineers for another year, but installation of the trac</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">k could begin this summer. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-88810332486383057152014-06-07T08:43:00.002-05:002014-06-07T08:43:33.279-05:00St. Charles: G-Scale Model Train on Display<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">According to releases appearing in local papers (I saw it in the Kane County Chronicle and the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/batavia_geneva_st_charles/community/chi-ugc-article-trains-in-the-garden-2014-06-06,0,5371426.story">Chicago Tribune</a>) a G-Scale Model train will be on display in the greenhouses of the Wasco Nursery and Garden Center during Fathers Day weekend. According to the release, the train will be set up in the greenhouse and among the plants. A "Live Steam Train" will be featured as well. The event is planned for June 13-15. <a href="http://www.wasconursery.com/">Wasco Nursery</a> is open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.on Saturday and Sunday. Oh, and this is a free event! Count us in! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061258692387793667.post-55685320401626618722014-05-27T14:20:00.000-05:002014-05-27T14:20:04.435-05:00Wheaton: Monkey Joe's <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21h4p-pR12YjFXeTRxRgXgIvbaSzAthyphenhyphenssYjW02-4QXHcs5OUSKm6PedgIKMtf2d75YAZph1OEPCNmSjrWQBTO6K7r_EMIxj_GBaC2-rbPq6IOb0E0-UsVlWUg0cbns-s1UOPfMrMFuM/s1600/IMG_4162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21h4p-pR12YjFXeTRxRgXgIvbaSzAthyphenhyphenssYjW02-4QXHcs5OUSKm6PedgIKMtf2d75YAZph1OEPCNmSjrWQBTO6K7r_EMIxj_GBaC2-rbPq6IOb0E0-UsVlWUg0cbns-s1UOPfMrMFuM/s1600/IMG_4162.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This train and its cars appear on the walls of the toddler zone</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The twisting gears of a colorful train on the walls of the toddler area at Wheaton's <a href="http://www.monkeyjoes.com/locations/wheaton">Monkey Joe's</a> give little ones something to enjoy while the bigger kids are bouncing around on the facilities many inflatables. Other activities for the tiny tykes include many small toys to push around their very own corner, which is a safe distance away from the enthusiastic bouncing and inevitable running of older patrons. Slightly bigger, bolder youngsters have a bouncy place of their own just a few feet away. Of course, the bravest of all ages will want to try everything. So, bring them early before the biggest kids are out of school, done with their morning activities or out of their pajamas. Kids age 2 and under are half the <a href="http://www.monkeyjoes.com/locations/wheaton">price </a>of their older siblings and friends! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming down the slide on the little kids' inflatble</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324729309201526017noreply@blogger.com0