Fleeting Fall

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett

Last weekend, Mr. L and I went on a magical mystery tour.  Well, we knew where we were going, but not with whom, or how the day would end up.

I don't fly, but I love riding the rails and we took a scenic train ride up the side of Lake Champlain with a bunch of like-minded people.  The best part?  We rode in three vintage rail cars.  The diner car was from the old Santa Fe line and had been lovingly restored.  Amtrak uses plastic dishes -- not this little rail line.  They had reproduction china with American Indian motifs. The breakfast was great (albeit slow. Although the diner car opened at 9, some of the other riders didn't get their breakfast until almost noon.  I think they'll hire more than one cook on their next excursion). The food was worth waiting for, however, and I certainly wasn't expecting a cooked breakfast on this little day trip.  (It had been billed as a continental breakfast.)

The center car had seats along the side so that everyone had a great view of the ever changing scenery, and this is where we spent the bulk of the day.  But the observation car was the most fun.  It had windows on all sides.  Again, it had been lovingly restored and members of the crew got out at one point and washing the windows (that didn't really need it). Since there was limited seating, we all took turns spending an hour or two in this car.

The scenery was fantastic.  It was a terrific way to spend the day.

How have you celebrated this fleeting fall?