Bartow FL

We arrived in Lakeland after an overnight trip. The Silver Star made good time all the way down and we were actually almost 15 minutes early into Orlando FL. I say almost, because within sight of the station, at a grade crossing, an impatient motorist went around the gates (if you are not aware of how dangerous this is, click here) and though the train almost came to a complete stop (Amtrak trains have a much more responsive braking system than freight trains), we did crush the back of the van in question. No one was hurt, but we did have to stop and fill out paperwork etc. etc.

Once we got to Lakeland (only 30 minutes lates), we got off among the "land of flowers" quite different from the snow and cold we had left behind. The most striking flower we saw was the Aloe Plant in my sister's front yard. We have seen and Aloe Vera bloom before, or so we thought, until we saw hers.
In addition to Lakeland, we also spent time in the nearby town of Bartow with it's interesting County Courthouse. It was on the occasion of a special sidewallk art show that they were having that week-end.


The key here was "Sidewalk." Where we are from, only a hopeless fool would schedule a Sidewalk Art Sale the 1st week of March.

Ah, such is Florida.

Amtrak's The Cardinal and Up the NE Corridor

We've been on the road again. This time to take in a few ball games and otherwise enjoy some sun and a break from the weather. And the weather knew it, as Charleston was hit with a smallish, but nasty snow storm the day we left. But we had gotten a room in town the night before, and thus our trip to the station was uneventful.

Other than the chronic lateness it is noted for, our Cardinal trip went well. We arrived in DC and had a late dinner. We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Rosslyn.

This shot from our hotel room shows Georgetown and the Key Bridge. The brick building on the far left is the old car barn where my father's uncle, Lester Kelley worked as a mechanic for the street car company.

Our trip up the NE Corridor, likewise, was uneventful. We arrived in NYP and then took the evening train bound for Albany to Yonkers where Kathy and E and John met us.

John had to show us all his friends that evening.


We had a good week-end with them. I would have shown more pictures, but as those of you who read his blog know, since we left, there has been a radical change, namely a haircut. And John with short hair definitely looks far different from this curly-haired version.