The Steam Engine

While we were in Ely last weekend, we just had to stop over at the Nevada Northern Railway to look at the trains because a little someone is fascinated with choo-choos. They had Locomotive #93 running, and we watched it come back from a trip through the tunnels. 

It sure is impressive seeing that huge piece of steel operate and propel so much weight. The coal car is also an eye-opener.

The volunteers who run the train sure look like they enjoy it. They all dress up in appropriate clothing to make it feel like an old-time train experience.

The passenger cars make me want to jump on and take a trip across the country, to go places where the roads don't go.

And then there's the caboose, a great end to every train!

We'll be back to get on the train again before too long. A trip on the train is for kids of all ages!

Muddy Puddle

First it started with throwing rocks into the puddle.

Then it progressed to walking in the muddy puddle.

Then Desert Boy ran from side to side, and in the process, fell down.

Then I guess he decided since he was already wet, he might as well get down and really enjoy the puddle. It usually isn't there, so I guess one way to look at it is that he was making the most of a temporary situation. I just say thank goodness for washing machines and garden hoses.

Gopher Snake

Part of Desert Boy's recent fascination with snakes stems from seeing two gopher snakes near our house recently. 

Although seeing a snake usually makes me jump initially, once I realize that it's just a gopher snake I relax and am grateful it's there. Grateful? Yep, because gopher snakes eat mice, and when you have them around, it generally means you don't have a mouse problem!

We walked past this gopher snake several times and it didn't move at all.

A little further down the way we saw a second one in the grass. It was also quite calm and didn't seem to mind our presence. 

Now Desert Boy wants to see snakes frequently. We have several different snake species in the area, but only one poisonous one, the Great Basin rattlesnake. I am concerned about Desert Boy unwittingly getting too close to one, so I keep a close eye on him as we trek out in the bushes. Overall, though, I hope he will appreciate snakes. They don't get much credit for doing some important ecosystem work!

Desert Destination: Ely's Fourth of July Parade

On Saturday we went to Ely, Nevada to view their Fourth of July parade. It's been years since I've seen a parade, and I don't think Desert Boy had ever seen one, so we decided it was time. Ely has a very wide main street--four lanes plus parking on each side.

The park between the middle school and library/courthouse was full of spectators. We decided to sit on the "sunny" side of the street because there were fewer people, and fortunately there were lots of clouds for most of the parade.

The parade started off with a couple trucks from the White Pine County Sheriff's office.

Soon came the marching band. They weren't big in number, but they played well.

Ely Fire Department showed off their new, shiny Ladder 1 truck.

They also had their brush truck. In these small communities, brush fires are more common than structure fires.

Most people driving vehicles waved at the parade spectators, but this truck driver caught my attention because she was so busy talking on her cell phone.

Desert Boy (and Dad) liked scampering for the candy some participants threw. Desert Boy also really liked watching the horses.

Some of the spectators.

A truck advertised the White Pine Horse Races, a popular event in August held at the fairgrounds.

The Pony Express Reriders had a good contingent of horses and riders. They help reride the Pony Express trail every June.

One of the BLM wildland engines was in the parade. The BLM has a large district office in Ely with a strong fire program.

Not all the firefighters got to ride in the trucks--several hiked the parade with their fire packs.

The Ely Historical Car Club had a beautiful set of entries. Some of the vehicles looked brand new because they had been restored so well.

Desert Boy really liked the tractor. It was pulling some of the 4-H participants.

The ambulance from the nearby community of Ruth was in the parade.

The Forest Service also had a fire truck in the parade, with their famous spokesperson waving--Smoky the Bear.

No parade is complete without a few motorcycles.

There were a few patriotic entries, like this big bell.

Some dancers did a routine as they moved down the street. They were very well choreographed. Due to a new regulation that the parade could only last an hour, groups that used to stop and do routines couldn't do that this year.

The VFW had a colorfully-decorated truck.

Both Desert Boy and his dad really liked this John Deere 60. It was in tip-top shape.

We really enjoyed the parade. There were many more entries, but I didn't get good photos of all of them. 

Another reason I wanted to see the parade is that I'm organizing one for the Snake Valley Festival on July 25. I had talked a bit with the Ely parade organizers, and they gave me helpful tips. I never realized how much work goes on behind the scenes to make a parade happen. Not only do people and floats need to be recruited, but a permit from the state department of transportation must be obtained. In Nevada, that requires a million dollar insurance policy (the Great Basin Service Club who sponsors the Ely parade pays $1,000 for this), signatures from the sheriff's office and state patrol, and city approval of the parade and detour routes. 

Thanks to all those who make parades happen all over the world, plus those who participate in  and watch them. Parades are a great way to show off a community's pride and interests. I'm looking forward to the next one! (Oh, yeah, that's the one I'm organizing.)

Desert Boy Looks at Flowers

I've been doing a lot of botanizing lately (looking at plants and trying to figure out what they are), and Desert Boy got to go with me one day. He liked the star-shaped flowers of the milkweed.

But much better was exploring the tunnels in the rose bushes. The cattle made these tunnels, and the arched bushes provided great shade. They were also the perfect height for Desert Boy to run through, while I had to stoop walk.

Desert Boy liked having different passageways and choosing where to go.

His faithful dog Henry also thought it was quite fun to scamper through the tunnels.

Desert Boy spotted Mama and came running. He wanted to do some more exploring. Nevertheless, eventually it was time to leave, although not without a major temper tantrum.

Desert Boy eventually got over it, and we played with more flowers. I couldn't resist posting this photo of my "flower child." 

And no, uncles, this does not make him a wuss. 

Besides, we're off to go on a walk, because he wants to look for snakes. We're in for some fun!