Oh, The Places We Might Go

We just returned from a trip to Houston, Texas. We saw no cowboys riding the range of America’s southwest, or huge cattle drives like Tucker would imagine. We drove out west to enjoy our family and to attend a wedding.

In Tucker’s day, Grandpop didn’t drive. He stepped on the train as it slowed near his home and took him to work, building and repairing railroad bridges.

A road trip for him and Gramma was impossible unless someone else did the driving. But remember, Grandpop worked for that railroad for many years. When he retired, along with his pension, the railroad company gave him a train pass for two. He could take Gramma anyplace the railroad tracks went. It was like a golden ticket to interesting places they had never been.

Even though they could ride the rails from one end of the line to the other, it was hard for them to get away. They had Tucker and his two sisters at home to care for. Tucker’s brother Tim, was older and eventually in the Marines. Still, with a house-full still at home, they rarely traveled.

If you had that magical railroad pass to go anywhere you wanted to go, where would you travel? You could look up the major railroad companies and see where their tracks go. What cities would you see? What activities and attractions would be outside your train window or just beyond the railroad station? Plan a wonderful trip for yourself and your family or friends.

Or imagine that the railroad tracks went anywhere and everywhere you want to go. Draw pictures and write descriptions of everything you would like to see along the way. Perhaps your imaginary train could fly. You could take your entire family with you. Think of the places you could go, the people you would meet, and the things you would see.

Create pieces of art that tell the story of your travels. Write descriptions about your drawings. Keep them safe. Someday, you might really take many trips, on the railroad tracks of your dreams.