Sunday, October 10, 2010

Trains & Weather

Should I admit this? Okay, I am going to, I have no filter you know. I am fascinated by the weather and by trains. A couple weekends ago, they were having a fall color tour on one of these antique trains in Grayling, Michigan. I bought tickets for our family. What's really neat is the original train depot that was built in 1882 is still standing and is now maintained as a museum. The day was cloudy but here are a few photos:




















The next thing I'm fascinated by is the Weather. And in our cabin town, we have a National Weather Service Station, I believe only 1 of 4 in the state. (When we would drive by this mysterious building, Greg would always tell me I think it's a cover for a secret government operation....he had me going for a while!) So when they announced a rare open house, I jumped at the chance - secret operation or not, I was going to get to the bottom of this!


Glad to know I'm not the only nosey person....I mean interested person in the weather!












Here's one of the meteorologist explaining the weather maps to us. He looks like he could be a secret operative.....





Here they are releasing a weather balloon. Maybe it's a secret message to aliens? Hmm...


At the National Weather Service, they are staffed 24-7. Most of the meteorologists have 4-5 computer screens in front of them, monitoring the weather. It was interesting to find out that they put weather buoys out in the great lakes to monitor the weather and provide information on lake conditions. So the last thoughts of the day are....they could be secret agents, and I wonder if they would hire me?! (Greg is rolling over on the floor laughing hysterically at me right now....)

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Weather Service would greatly benefit from having you and Scout on board!
Love the photos of the antique train and station. I know that was a lot of fun!
Have a great Sunday.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

The train ride looks like fun... Around here, they offer the old steam trains (with the open cars) for Fall trips to see the colors. Someday--I want to do that.

You know --as much as I love weather--that I would be very interested in your weather tour---even the aliens and secret agents... ha ha ha

Hope school is going well. When are you all coming south?
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

I love watching the weather channel when I'm doing chores that don't require noise. I love watching storms move in and then slowly move out. I love the weather channel. Hugs. Tammy

Sandi Keene said...

I like weather too! And the weather station probably does covert operations on the side! : )

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

We are going to take a train ride to see the colorful leaves here in NC on the 20th! I have never been on a train, so I am excited about it.

When I go I will post about it.
Hugs,
Penny

Connie said...

Secret agent Shelley! Yes! I can see that. HA! Looks like a fun day. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday! :)

George said...

I'm glad you can provide Greg with such merriment, but he would miss you if you went out on a special mission without him.
The train trip sounds like a lot of fun. I like that old depot.

Ginger said...

I love trains too. That would be so much fun to see all the fall color by way of a train.
Great pictures

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

I could definitely see you on board with the Weather Service, Shelley! I enjoyed the pics of the train station and I bet it was a beautiful ride with all the colors! It sounds like a great family field trip! :)

Tammy

Unknown said...

You as a Secret Agent?? LMBO
For some reason, I can't picture you as keeping a secret for very long. Especially if it could be blogged about. But your readers would be very well informed, I'm sure!!
The train ride must have been lovely.
Love all your pumpkin decorating!! The cabin looks great all decorated for Fall.

Powell River Books said...

Wayne is a weather nut. Probably started because of his interest in flying. We have our own mini-weather station at the cabin. We can watch lots of things like temperature, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, etc. We also have a weather radio to follow what is happening and to get forecasts. That helps us decide when to travel up and down the lake. You don't want to get caught if it is too windy. - Margy

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh Shelley, you are so funny.
I love that you share with us all your interests...even if they are, ummm, unusual. :)
Really, a lot of people love trains and weather.
I do like a nice train ride...puts me in the mood for a nice nap.

Simple Home said...

I love going to places like these with my family too. What a great opportunity to visit the National Weather Service office and learn some of their "secrets" firsthand :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Rural Rambler said...

Good Morning Shelley! I am all bothered and bewitched by weather too. I visit the NOAA site several times a day and check out their forecast discussions. I love it there and plug in all kinds of places I would like to live and see what the weather is doing :) The train and train station shots are cool. You have lots of different interests Shelley, I know it is never dull and/or boring at your home!

April said...

I'm super interested in weather, too! I can't tell you the number of times I've commented that I'd LOVE to be a storm chaser...what FUN!!!

Just a little something from Judy said...

I find the weather operations so fascinating too. I smiled when I read that you did also. I have been caught watching the weather channel quite often. As for the antique trains, well I find those interesting too. We took our grandchildren on one this summer and we all enjoyed it. Great post!

Constance said...

This is scary! My husband Dave is a Railroader, he's been with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe RR for 28 years. I have ridden my share of trains in our marriage! We've done every narrow gauge train ride in the state of Colorado! We are considering a train ride to the Pacific Northwest on one of our vacations.

Our son Charles is studying to be a Meteorologist. When he was 14 I arranged a visit to the NOAA station in Ft Worth which he loved. It was so cool! He has been passionate about weather since he was 8-9 years old. He would sit and watch TWC for literally hours. He once told me that he wished that TWC had a CD of their music available for him to listen to. (Major Nerd)

Maybe not a weather balloon but on Sat Dave surprised me with a hot air balloon ride!

Like I said...scary!
Hugs,
Connie

Anonymous said...

I would have loved to take that train ride. I love trains too. To me there is nothing better than laying in bed at night and listening to a distant train whistle. I wonder if they allow dogs on trains :>) I would love to meet you and Scout in Petoskey some day :>)

The Retired One said...

How interesting! loved the train station and the idea of a train color tour..we will have to look into that. Our TV6 in Marquette is one of those weather stations too!