#with brakemans cabin

[focsle]

Practical Jokes Aboard

On this April Fool's, I'm unpaywalling an old whaling history essay from my patreon about the various pranks fellows played upon each other. Here you are! Silliman B. Ives, a two-time veteran whaler aboard the Sunbeam in 1868, talked about the phenomenon of every ship having their ‘fool’ for entertainment.

“On board all ships carrying a large crew there is generally one among the company who by his awkwardness or want of sense becomes the butt for the whole crowd, the object of innumerable practical jokes, and a great source of amusement for the whole crew.”

The rest is under a readmore, since as usual there are many a' primary source.

On William B Whitecar’s 1850s voyage on an unnamed whaleship, that ship’s fool  was a man whom he nicknamed Kedge Anchor. Kedge had drawn the attention of all hands for his boasting of seamanship and long experience on the waves, only for it to be revealed in short time through his own ignorance that he had no such experience at all.

“His sickness, and ludicrous exclamations of “I wish I was on the steam-wagon again” (he had formerly been a brakeman on the New York and Erie Railroad), and pathetic entreaties to be allowed to die in peace, when desired to do anything, excited the mirth of all, no sympathy being tendered to him except in one instance, when one of the seamen offered him a pint of salt water, assuring him it was a cordial; a mouthful was sufficient to undeceive him, he spat out the nauseating draught, and the queer expression he wore on his phiz, and no less queer entreaty to take the darned thing away, were so humorous as to shock his auditors into merriment, and secured him against farther molestation.”

Seasick greenhands were often the easiest targets on the first days out. In one humorous exchange recorded by Charles B. Nordhoff on an unnamed 1850s voyage, a sick greenhand lamented the ship's food not agreeing with him. He went on to say that if he could only have a nice piece of pie like his mother used to make he’d be well again soon enough.

“Pie!” exclaimed the boatsteerer, “as I live, I am glad you mentioned the word. There’s a whole cask of pies down below, which was sent aboard by the owner, on the purpose for the sick ones.” “Suppose I were to ask the captain to hoist it up, and give me some?” suggested the sick man, eagerly. “You could not do a better thing.” “I’ll go to him immediately—he seems to be a kind man, and I will tell him how badly I feel.” Accordingly he dragged himself slowly aft, and there meeting the captain, stated the case to him, and ended with a request that some of the pie might be given to him, as he felt convinced that he would soon recover on such a diet. The captain, smiling grimly, explained to him that some unfeeling wretch had been trifling with him, and that pie was an impossibility at sea.”

A lack of knowledge about how the ship worked led to many a greenhand being advised by another crewmate to make such absurd requests like climbing up to the man at the mast head to ask what time it was, or to go to the mate and tell him to ‘secure the barometer’ and ‘ask him if the masts were working’. It wasn't just seasick greenhands, however. Any man could find himself fair game, especially those who fell asleep during their watch. One of the most popular pranks involved tying a line around a man’s legs while he was sleeping, and then working together to haul him up into the air. William Abbe once found himself at the rope end of this. He was a Harvard law student who had signed on the whaler Atkins Adams in 1858 ‘for his health’, and at times due to his education tutored other men on board in writing and reading. He showed a great allegiance to the after cabin, including a particular noted favoritism from the Captain’s wife, and could get quite self righteous about the behavior of his shipmates. This didn’t always endear him to his fellow foremast hands. 

“That night I laid down for a little while on my chest during my watch on deck + Shanghai making the fore lift fast about my legs, the rest of the watch bowled away till I brot up against the steps, taking in my passage hither an alarmingly sharp cut + twirling around in a way that would have immortalized a circus tumbler. Shang—the rogue—pretending ignorance + when I went on deck all hands were cooly singing — “Bully in the Alley” — + as innocent as so many sucking pigs—I couldn’t help laughing, though at first I was slightually mad. I am now waiting a chance to make S fast. Such tricks are common + all make common sport of each other.”

J.E. Haviland, greenhand aboard the Baltic in 1855, enjoyed partaking in this prank every chance he got, after having it done once to himself:

"After a great deal of trouble [I] finally succeeded in getting it made fast around one of his feet. I then went carefully up on deck where the other end of the rope was + 6 of us got hold of it and gave poor Matt what I call an after haul. To use his own words however he did not wake up until he felt himself strike the Deck right plump on his setdown. In trying to haul him up through the scuttle by his leg he got fast in the steps + then for the first time commenced to sing out bloody murder. After he got on his togging + came on Deck I commenced consoling him + he laid it to everybody else but me. This makes five times I have bent on him + I am the last person he suspects of doing such a deed."

Sometimes the pranks were a little more visually lasting, as Whitecar highlighted another joke set upon Mr. Kedge Anchor.

“One fine Sunday morning Kedge Anchor expressed a desire to have his hair cut. Here was an opening—and a conspiracy was immediately formed against his cranial adornment. One went to work and cut his hair. When finished, a dozen voices exclaimed against the barbarian who had put so outre a cut on his poor head; others recommended a little more off behind. The victim acquiesced, and submitted to the operation. A second, third, fourth, and fifth lent their aid in denuding his skull, and by the time the last had finished he was a picture for a painter.”

The captain often didn’t bother to step in to put a stop to such tricks, having other things to concern himself with than the antics of the fo'c'sle. Albert Peck, on board the Covington in the 1850s, described what happened when a whaler, nicknamed Duff, made his complaint to the captain about being the object of a prank.

“Speaking of duff reminds me of another little incident which transpired a little while before. One evening as Duff (not the cook’s duff but our Duff) was lying on the fore hatch enjoying an evening nap, some mischievous chap smeared his hair and face with tar. A short time afterwards, waking up and finding it out, he at first tried to find the author of it and failing in this he posted aft to where the captain and mate was sitting and began to make his complaint to the captain that some one had been tarring him. "What did you let them for?” “I didn’t know it, sir.” “You were asleep, then. They wouldn’t have done it if you hadn’t been. Keep awake and you won’t get tarred. Clear out and don’t you come to me with any more of your complaints.” He could get no satisfaction either forward or after, and was forced to swallow it down, vowing that if he ever found out who it was he would serve them the same.”

Often times payback was handled internally in the fo'c'sle, usually with a deliverance of the same prank upon the culprit. From Whitecar,

“I remember one poor fellow, who prided himself much on his agility, giving us a specimen of the movements of the kangaroo, sweating and exerting himself for a whole afternoon, delighting us, as he supposed, with his farcical antics, until he discovered on his back a large paper figure in imitation of himself. He said not a word at the time, and sat down totally abashed; but ere long a paper Punch figured on the back of the supposed instigator.”

"We are constantly abusing each other in fun," William Abbe cheerfully recorded. Among such abuses:

"I have known Shanghai when on deck in his wilfull, mean spirit of mischief + coarse trickery - go to the forecastle hatch and pointing his breech down the gangway discharge such a tearing report that the sleepers have actually startled in their bunks."

“After sunset often all hands play “Whang O Doodle” round the windlass, or chasing each other and spanking—fast + terrible are some of the blows — and we are kept in a roar of laughter at the contorted faces and the rubbing with hands of the wounded parts.”

Regardless of how the decades stretch away from the height of American whaling to our present, the phenomenon of...a bunch of late-teens-to-early-twenties lads spending the dull periods of their voyage farting on each other and running around slapping each other's ass is Truly Enduring.

[enginire]

fortunately, the imprint of the boot is confined to the lower side of her back. mel tips the peak of the cap further over her face, and dabs an untarnished patch of white cotton against the split in her lip — there doesn't have to be any consequences to this. and while she's been shifted out of the right to a fair trial due to the nature of treason, she's not entirely sure what layton has in store for her. by all accounts, he could string her up and freeze her lungs if he wanted. but knowledge is power, and she knows more about the ins and outs of the train than even wilford himself. (she knows each bus duct, each rotary converter, each autotransformer — she knows which batteries are dead and which require an extra boost. she knows how much steel lines each car, how much is keeping the outside out and the inside in. she's too valuable to put to compost — that much she knows. whether he likes her or not is unimportant.)

the train demands blood. spots of hers line the grates of the corridor outside of the mess hall, and maybe, for now, the train is sated — layton sends a hundred and forty seven souls to die, and she's reminded of that still. leadership means making those decisions. if you don't like it, don't lead a fucking rebellion against the status quo.

"you're not a brakeman, audrey." the ice pack presses in neatly against the swollen black circle under her eye, and she sinks down in the bar stool a little more. treason is a spiteful word to be branded with — it reeks of the type of man who doesn't survive the first revolution. it's a stain that sounds more like smuggling resources out for selfish gain than trying to keep what's left of humanity from careening into the next fork in the track.

"don't worry. if i run into any more trouble, i'll be sure to come find you — hero looks good on you." the sarcasm bleeds through her words, and she replaces the cotton rag with her drink. it stings through the split in her mouth, and mel closes her eyes for a moment to pull back the hiss. (they've been through worse than this — they've muddled through wilford together, and formed something that's blossomed into something good out of the scraps of what life's left them. mel doesn't regret the decisions she's made, but what happened between them is something she's thought about when her cabin is cold and her eyes burn from exhaustion.)

"— have you got any arnica?"

"glad to hear you're still thinking rationally." for once, she was tempted to add, just to cement the sting. but she doesn't, choosing to avoid the path of pettiness ⁠— knowing that without melanie, she would have been a well dressed ice block by now, posed somewhere in the north of chicago. that too, was kept back, knowing that most had been closer to the world than she had, with loved ones dead around the world, and gnawing grief that would never abate.

grief inspired anger, and anger needed an outlet. had they known wilford, they might not have chosen melanie as that outlet, and learned to understand the necessity of the lie — that the vast majority of them would have been dead within the first year, for nothing more than his own amusement. he'd done it before, when he'd skirted the consequences of feeding hard drugs to one artist or another, offering nothing but mild commentary when the obituaries surfaced. audrey, without other options, was forced to keep his secrets. it was a lesson she'd learned early, that least reputable witness was a young sex worker, and was the most likely to end up just as dead before trial. her wealth, even at its height, was a puddle in comparison to joseph's, and his reach was twice as effective. melanie knew that, too. those that knew him peripherally loved him, and those that knew his depths, feared his response.

but there was pain too, in upholding some of his policies, in the strange way the world had to respond to life in the freeze. no one could be judge and jury without the weight of struggle, and she had no intention of thinking too much about it now. "are you planning on telling me who did it? change of power or not, prolonged lawlessness isn't good for any of us." a fact she already knew. there's a snort that leaves her, a reaction to her attempt at humor. "mm, is he skipping down the halls? i thought i heard whistling just before you came in..."

[20th-century-railroading]

Long and lean, these beasts shove the train over the hill while the rear brakeman glances at the onlookers from the cabin window. Altoona, PA August 18, 1957

[missaudreystiara]

For the mini fic ask - brakenight and #11!

Thank you for the prompt and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get to writing a fic for it (it took me a while to get any inspiration and then it’s ended up being a lot longer than I originally intended it to be)! This is sort of canon adjacent and set at no particular time - Bess, Audrey and the gals |(Ruth, Mel, and Zarah) had a movie night which got a little bit out of hand, and now Bess is worried about what she might have revealed while drunk… I hope you like it! 🖤

11 - Things you said when you were drunk

It was Sunday morning and Bess Till was lying in bed - awake, but not quite ready to get up and face the inevitable hangover that was threatening to kick in as soon as she opened her eyes. How much had she drank last night? She couldn’t remember making it back to her cabin which was always a bad sign. She couldn’t remember much of the night at all if she was honest - what had started off as a casual movie night with the girls had turned messy quickly once Ruth remembered where Wilford had stashed a secret bottle of tequila. She groaned to herself, cringing at the thought of all the things she might have said under the influence. Though the brakeman was generally quite reserved, she was a bit of loose canon once alcohol was involved.

Her concerns were interrupted when she sensed movement in her cabin - was someone here? Footsteps headed past the bed towards the window and she heard the curtains being pulled open, the rings scraping against the metal rail. Even with her eyes closed, Bess could tell that sunlight was now pouring in through the window. Great. Noise and bright lights were exactly what she wanted this morning. In protest, she rolled over to her front and buried her face in the pillows.

“Good morning, sleepy head”

Audrey. Audrey was here? Had she stayed the night? Surely not.

“I took the liberty of making you a coffee” the brunette continued, “I thought you might need it.”

Coffee. Coffee sounded perfect. Reluctantly, she removed the pillows from her face, using them to prop herself up in bed. She cautiously opened her eyes, wincing at the bright sun.

“I feel terrible” Bess said, raising an arm up to shield her face from the light.

Audrey chuckled. “I’m not surprised, it was a bit of a heavy one last night, wasn’t it?” She handed Bess the coffee, sitting back down at the desk to take a large sip of her own.

Bess received the mug gratefully, eager to let the caffeine work its magic. “I suppose it was”

The brakeman took a cautious sip of coffee and attempted to collect her thoughts. Right. Last night - a movie night at Zarah’s. Or at least, that was what the night was supposed to have been. Layton had arranged to meet up with Josie, so Zarah had invited the girls over to their cabin for a night in. They’d wanted to watch a thriller - something with a bit of suspense - but the only DVD they could get to play was, unfortunately, Grease 2. Audrey had been somewhat less than thrilled about that; “an absolute disgrace to musical theatre” she’d called it. Nobody else had seen it before, and had initially assumed that she was being overly dramatic, but within minutes it became clear just how terrible the movie was.

“I hope you don’t mind me saying that this is utter codswallop” Ruth had proclaimed. “How about I go and rustle up one of the good bottles of tequila that Mr Wilford has stashed away in the library, and we turn watching this rubbish in to a drinking game?”

They’d all agreed that that was an excellent idea - an idea that Bess was now regretting.

“I am never drinking again” She sighed, taking another sip of coffee.

“Well that would be a shame. You’re an adorable drunk, Bess” Audrey smiled up towards her, a twinkle in her eye.

“Oh god, what does that mean?” Bess asked, grimacing.

Audrey chuckled, “exactly what I said - you were very funny last night.”

“Excellent - adorable has already been down graded to funny” Bess retorted, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

Audrey continued to laugh “you were adorably funny.”

“Sure” Bess rolled her eyes.

She felt too rough to be dealing with Audrey’s banter this morning. Why was she so perky anyway? From what Bess could remember they’d all drank far too much last night, by right Audrey should be feeling just as bad as her. For the first time that morning, Bess looked at the brunette properly, accusatory - she certainly didn’t look as though she felt like Bess did. She did look different than how Bess was used to seeing her though; she’d taken off her vintage styled wig, her face had been wiped clean of her usual make up, and she was wearing an oversized black t shirt with a faded logo (a t shirt that Bess recognised come to think of it - was it hers?), but she didn’t look hungover… just casual, comfortable. How irritating.

“Anyway, why don’t you feel like shit today too?” the brakeman accused, narrowing her eyes.

Audrey shrugged “I guess I can just handle my alcohol better than you” she teased “… that and I covertly switched to water after Ruth pulled out that bottle of absinthe” she smiled.

Absinthe!? Jesus, no wonder she felt so horrendous. “Uuughhh absinthe - why? Well, that explains why I barely remember last night then” Bess complained.

Intrigued, Audrey propped her arm up on her knees and let he chin rest on her palm, leaning in closer to the blonde. “Huh. That’s interesting. Very interesting.”

Interesting. Bess didn’t like the sound of that.

“Er — what, what exactly did we all do after the movie?” Bess asked, unsure what to expect in reply.

“Well” Audrey grinned, leaning back in the desk chair once more, “after the movie, we were all bitching about how terrible it was - I seem to recall that someone very wise did warn you about that” she joked “but anyway Melanie said something about how watching Michael working on his motorbike had been hot and the movie’s one redeeming quality…”

Bess laughed at that - classic Mel, of course she would have liked that.

“… I know, she’s an engineer through and through isn’t she!” Audrey continued, laughing, “anyway, that lead on to a conversation about the sorts of things we find attractive in a partner, major turn offs or red flags… that sort of thing. Just girl talk really, nothing too exciting”

Hmm that didn’t sound too bad, Bess thought. Surely she couldn’t have said anything more embarrassing than anyone else there? Though… if she’d been talking about what she found attractive, could she have accidentally confessed to who she found attractive? Specifically, could she have confessed to finding the very person who was currently sat opposite her attractive? Bess had only ever spoken to Layton about her long standing crush on Miss Audrey, doyenne of the Night Car, but she knew how chatty she could get after a few too many drinks and it sounded like she had far more than a few too many last night!

“…and what sort of things did everyone say?” She asked nervously, indicating for Audrey to continue.

“Nothing you’d be particularly surprised about I’m sure, it was all very vanilla” Audrey teased “Ruth likes to be properly courted the old fashioned way, taken out dancing, doors held open for her… that sort of thing… Zarah said it’s an immediate turn off for her if she finds out someone leaves crumbs in the butter, no matter how nice or good looking they are… oh and in addition to what she’d already said, Mel said she likes it when a guy is good with his hands, but hates it when they mansplain anything mechanical to her” she laughed.

Bess couldn’t help but notice that the brunette hadn’t mentioned what either of them had contributed to the conversation. Was that because she’d said something awkward? In an effort to deflect from herself (and also because, let’s face it, she was curious to find out what Audrey might have revealed) she asked: “and, what did you say?”

Audrey hesitated for just a moment (interesting…) but quickly waved her hand in a dismissive manner and laughed again, “If you don’t remember what I said, that’s not my problem” she teased.

Fair play - frustrating though.

“And — er — do you remember what I said?” Bess asked cautiously, taking another sip of coffee in an attempt to appear nonchalant.

“Oh you were in no position to contribute to the conversation by this point, darling” Audrey smiled “you were starting to fall asleep actually, I don’t think absinthe agrees with you.”

Pheww. Bess let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding, relieved to hear that her only potential source of embarrassment last night was that she’d been a bit of a light weight.

“Zarah noticed that you were starting to nod off, so I offered to walk you back here - make sure you got home safely” Audrey continued “I was only intending to drop you off and make sure you had a glass of water before bed, but you perked up A LOT after the walk here… you were very chatty again by that point actually” she raised an eyebrow and took a large sip of coffee for dramatic effect.

For god’s sake, thought Bess, panic setting in once again. “I’m terrified to ask what you mean by that?”

Audrey laughed “well, you seemed keen to re-visit our conversation from earlier. You went on a long rant about how you can’t stand it when people have bad manners… told me about how you were once dating a girl you really liked up until you went out for dinner one night and she was rude to your server and refused to tip”

Well, that was reasonable? “I don’t remember saying that but I do remember that date - it was terrible!” She responded. “Err — did, did I say anything — else?” She asked cautiously.

“You also told me that you’ve always found it… shall we say… appealing when past girlfriends have worn your old t-shirts as pyjamas. You said you knew it was a bit silly as far as turn ons go, but it made you happy to see them looking cosy in your clothes… quite adorable if you ask me” Audrey smiled “you then insisted that I stayed for a sleepover” she laughed.

Bess was suddenly all too aware of the blood pumping around her body; she felt her cheeks growing warm. Why had she told Audrey that! It was completely true of course, but after so many years playing the tough guy as a brakeman, it wasn’t a fact that she was in the habit of sharing. And christ - asking her to stay for a sleepover? She might as well have just told the brunette about the (now probably not so) secret crush she had on her. The embarrassment she had feared was now quickly kicking in.

“Audrey, god, I’m so sorry it sounds like I was such a nightmare last night, I hope you don’t think —” hang on a minute her thoughts interrupted, the brakeman took a moment to pause. Audrey had stayed… Audrey was… wearing her t-shirt? A cautious smile began to spread across her face “Actually Audrey, I can’t help but notice that you’re wearing my t-shirt”, she stated, a hint of amusement in her voice.

It was Audrey’s turn to blush. “Yes, I suppose I am” she conceded.

Bess raised an eyebrow, inviting the brunette to explain.

“You told me to make myself at home… borrow some pyjamas… and I suppose… I suppose I found the idea of appealing to you rather, well, rather appealing” her blush deepened.

“Is that so?” Bess teased, pleasantly surprised with the turn her morning was taking.

“It is indeed” Audrey agreed, regaining composure quickly. “And while I’m out on a limb here, I suppose I should admit what it was that I confessed to last night”

“Go on” Bess encouraged.

Audrey smiled, “I’ve always had a thing for a person in uniform.”

[mikarailways]

Deutsche Reichsbahn Weinfaßwagen Baron Jeune  Mainz 503 427 Märklin Insider Jahreswagen 2003  Epoche II

Märklin 46744 / H0

lokmuseum

[thismightyneed]

hey hey is The Phantom Express!! been having these guys on my patreon for years now, good to finally post them!

loved how these guys came out, such a nice looking team, also I love how they all fit into different train trades, Head of the Train as the engineer, T-bone as the conductor, the Blaze Brothers as attendants (I originally was gonna make them just sorta assistant machinists but the cabin boys like look was much fun!) and the Blind Spectre who is a a brakeman

btw, I posted a bunch more of my human cupheads at patreon, go check them for an early view if you want

PATREON//COMMISSIONS//GUMROAD//SHOPS 1 - 2

[wellbehavedhistory]

My Great-Grandmother, Bertha Carpenter made local history by remembering a local street train.

They called the train the "Little Dinky" and the depot, grain elevator, and stockyard "Stiles Station."

Today, it's gone! Except for the memories of one woman, Mrs. Bertha Carpenter, who recalls the day-to-day activities which surrounded Stiles Station as if they only happened yesterday -- the clatter of the wheels clinking against the track as the train rounded the bend, the oinking of hogs and baaing of sheep as they were loaded into stock cars, and the smell of bacon and eggs drifiting from the depot door as tramps cooked morning breakfast.

The railroad was built through the Carpenter farm, about six miles west of Sauk Centre, in the late 1870s to the closest of Mrs. Carpenter's recollections. she said the station was built later on to load grain and livestock. It was as close to their house as the barn on the farm where she now lives.  

Her husband's grandfather came from New York and settle on the farm where Stiles Station was later built. "He was one of the first settlers in the area," she said. "The log cabin he built stood there for many years after I came in 1911. It makes me so mad when I think about it being torn down now. It was in such good shape," remarked the 85-year-old Lyman Prairie native who has a relish for preserving things from the past.

Mrs. Carpenter and her husband, Dwight, lived on the homeplace 17 years until they moved to a farm one mile away. The three story house, which replaced the log cabin, stood in the grove until three years ago when it was torn down because of vandalism.

Talking about Stiles Station brings back memories of tramps and train rides to Mrs. Carpenter. "The station was often called "The Siding" by people who lived in the area," she explained, "maybe because the ralroad had a side track to switch cars and load grain and cattle. A car load of hogs and sheep was shipped from the stockyward each spring, but I don't remember any cattle being loaded. Many of the area farmers shipped grain and baled hay from the elevator, too.

"A passenger train came up and back twice a day and a freight train came through about three times a week. I don't know why the pasenger train was called the Dinky Train. I guess it was because everytie we saw the train coming down the track, it looked so small when it shook back and forth. The train looked like it would shake right off the track."

The station got its name from a Stiles family who used to live in the area. "The railroad was going to call it Carpenters Station, but Dwight's dad didn't care for that."

It was common for housewives, farmers, and school children to take the train into Sauk Centre for shopping or to get to school. The train ran from Little Falls to Morris. They would catch the train at 9:15 in the morning and come home on the 4:30 train. But the Little Dinky didn't always make it in the winter. "Snowdrifts often delayed the train for days," said Mrs. Carpenter. "My mother-in-law told me of one winter when the Little Dinky was stuck in snowdrifts for six weeks. The children always watched when the snowplow cleared the tracks. It would throw snow over the highline wires."

Mrs. Carpenter knew many of the men who worked on the railroad. The conductor bought chickens from her and the brakeman was her brother-in-law. Although there wasn't a depot agent, a Mr. Burgess ran the elevator. "The kids would catch rabbits and he would cook them."

She remembers one time when six station men stopped to eat dinner and play a quick game of poker at the depot. "The left the hand car sitting in fron of the depot and got so busy playing cards that when the came through, it smashed the section car to pieces. The men had to ride back in the caboose."

Reminiscing about Stiles Station wouldn't be complete for Mrs. Carpenter if she didn't mention the tramps who used the depot as a place to cook their dinner and to get out of the cold for the night. "The depot was an old boxcar with a table, bench, and pot belly stove. But, soon after I came to the farm, someone stole the stove. Then the tramps cooked their meals on the metal plate that protected the floor from the stove's heat. We always knew when there were tramps cooking. Smoke curled out of the chimney. Many a tramp knocked at my door begging for eggs, bread, and milk. I never turned them away. They were just poor men moving from one place to another."

The depot burned about 1913, shortly after the elevator burned. "We think lightning hit the elevator, but the cause of the depot fire never was known. It could have easily been started by someone leaving the fire going on the metal plate. They were never rebuilt."

The only building standing which still bears the Stiles name is the schoolhouse; District No. 65, one-half mile down the road from the old Stiles Station. Mrs. Carpenter believes the schoolhouse is almost 100 years old. "There are logs under the wood siding. Three generations of Carpenters went to the school. It was here when I came and before that, it was moved from King's Corner about a mile away."

Although the building isn't used for anything now, she likes to see it stand as a landmark. "All of my 10 children and my husband's family went to school there."

She said Clara Stiles, a member of the family who used to live in the area, was one of the teachers at No. 65. "In those days the teachers taught the three R's, had as many as 30 students in eight grades and did their own janitor work. All for $45 a month, too." She said many of the teachers boarded with families in the neighborhood and some came from families in the area. There was a barn by the schoolhouse where children kept their horses if they had to come from a distance.

Today hardly a trace of the station itself remains. Even the train tracks are gone. They were torn out three years ago.

The land still remains in the Carpenter family. And Mrs. Carpenter is glad one of her grandsons is building a home in the same grove where the Stiles Station once stood.

[alwaysuseful-blog1]

There’s a gleeful shout and one can see a small engine racing along the tracks.  Percy is, once more, his original size and set back upon the tracks. It’s an amazing feeling to be normally sized again, to hear the familiar rumble of the tracks as the engine races around. The tracks make their steady clicking sound, so comforting to be heard. He watches as a switch is triggered and he slides along to pull up next to a station.

There’s a pleasant heft on the back and he realizes that the mail train has been attached. Finally, he can go ahead and pull it again. With a laugh, Percy watches as men load up the mail train with letters and packages. He’s really missed the chance to do his favorite job and to see the mail train again is a sure sign of joy. He’s back on Sodor. That is what counts.

“That’s the last of the mail. I think we should be ready to leave,” a familiar voice called and Percy glanced back to see someone he recognized. The thin figure that always seemed to stand heavily to the right was apparent at that point, brown hair brushed in a neat wave over the youthful face.

“Greggory, is that you?” the small engine inquired, feeling happiness in his boiler and firebox.

“Of course it is, you silly engine. I’ll be the conductor tonight.”

“So we’ll be taking the mail together?”

“Not just us. The fireman still needs to climb aboard.”

“Oops! Yes, I suppose having the fireman would be best. But I don’t remember you becoming a conductor.”

Greggory climbed into the engine’s cabin and patted the side. “Well, it’s been awhile, Percy. I’ve done some things too, you know. Being a conductor is just part of it. Looks like the fireman is ready to go. Let’s deliver the mail.”

“How long has it been since we’ve seen each other?” Percy inquired, happy to be getting up to speed on the rails. “I feel like it’s been a very, very long time.”

“It’s been quite awhile. But you haven’t aged a day, Percy.”

“Neither have you! I guess we both age well.”

“Yes. I guess we both do,” Greggory replied, his voice faltering.

“Is something wrong, Greggory?”

“No, Percy. Everything is as fine as ever. It’s just fantastic to be with you again, to deliver the mail.” He leaned out of the cab and waved to the brakeman. They were already nearing the next station.

“I know that it might cause some delay, Greggory, but could I go a bit slower? I think I want to enjoy more time with you with the mail train.”

Greggory raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Of course, Percy. I’ll still be here for the next few days; I’ve signed up to work the mail train every night.”

There was a coolness in the small engine’s firebox and he frowned. “So -- you’re going away in a few days? But you just got back.”

“I think the important thing is to not worry about when I’m leaving. We should worry about getting the job done so the director doesn’t get cross with us.”

“I suppose you’re right. I’m just really excited to be pulling the mail train with you again!”

Greggory smiled and leaned out of the cab, letting the wind blow through his hair. His cap nearly flew off but he adjusted it. His gray eyes gave a bit of a shine as the mail train hurried through the night.

This was more than just a dream.

[theresaplain94-blog]

Saviors Get To Italian After 11 Pass Away On K2.

Reliance on GPS modern technology through both the noncombatant populace and also the army area is at an enduring high. The facts from the concern are that for the remainder people, those people not living in or around Fla or California, the North American Mountain Lion, or Cougar is currently a likely neighbor. Move forward to a switchback off to Pigeon Mountain which has actually currently been strengthened along with an easy route yet still expect an abrupt drop where you continuously switch right. Over the years, Stone Mountain granite was actually used in many structures as well as establishments, including the locks from the Panama Channel, the measures to the East Wing of the USA Capitol and the Imperial Lodging in Tokyo In recent years, marble vendors in Georgia sent out stone examples reduced from Stone Hill to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Structure to be looked at for make use of in a prepared monolith in strenght4u.info King's respect; the Base later on decided to utilize marble imported off China. About the state from the mountain pass at large, I counted myself fortunate that I was actually not driving a car or even using my motorcycle, or even a bike. I feel the Trans Hill pipeline will receive approved and also completed eventually. Like G. austromontana, closed gentian creates a true blue blossom, yet this is actually a lot pickier regarding water, requiring wet or even wet soil to flourish. The extensively circulated opinion is actually that Genghis Khan or Chinggis Khaan of Monolia possessed blue eyes and sandy hair. The many things that definitely makes this different from a bunch of other alcoholic beverages, undoubtedly off a ton of other carbonated soft drinks, is its own extremely devoted and enthusiastic consumer foundation," said Greg Lyons, Hill Condensation's from marketing. One of the initial white colored people that discovered their means around the levels to fantastic forestlands were actually the mountain range men; the trappers olden. Unalarmed by Mother Earth, the great individuals of the northwestern chunk from North Carolina viewed these substantial mountain inclines as well as their lack from organic snowfall, and also determined to perform one thing about this! Sugar Mountain at Ensign Elk, North Carolina found two kilometers east Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain Resort is actually North Carolina's largest ski location along with 115 skiable acres and an upright fall of 1,200 feets. Thus, the erratic mountain weather condition, your health disorder, various other unanticipated natural casualties, health and wellness condition of the participants, unexpected all-natural disasters etc could impact too. The frightening noises filled up the entire setting inducing panic also one of the ascetics as well as vidyadharas (semi-gods) cuing them to run away from that location leaving their possessions responsible for, in the fear that some satanic forces were ruining the mountain. Given That the Blue Mountain ranges are wealthy in coal as well as shale, mining for these resources began in Hartley Vale in 1865. For the local area Balkars - a Muslim Turkic folks - the mountain was sent out to attempt them. Pine Mountain Range as well as Lost Mountain range are also noticeable off afar, wherein the second is actually the taller one. Called The Father of C And W" (along with The Blue Yodeler" as well as The Singing Brakeman"), Rodgers is properly realized as one of the initial country/western songs super stars. Individuals which lived in the mountain ranges encompassing the Blue Ridge Parkway a very long time ago resided in log cabins that they constructed from the trees they would get rid of off their residential property. With Jon Snowfall going around offering themselves as Master in the North, Cersei views him as a major foe-- potentially one she will send out the Mountain after. Although this is actually out the main route, I highly encourage at least a short drive on the Blue Spine Parkway, as this's incredibly scenic.

[medicalmarijuana-news]

The East Coast Stoner’s Ultimate Guide to Winter

As winter has settled upon us, the overwhelming urge to “Netflix and chill” has firmly taken hold. In the interest of breaking the winter doldrums, HIGH TIMES has compiled some of the most festive, fun, winter vacation ideas located on the East Coast. (Editor’s Note: Our West Coast edition is coming soon, but all you Cali stoners know you’re warmer than us over here!)

Canada

Canada is a winter wonderland that offers visitors a plethora of activities to experience, and 2017 marks Canada’s 150th anniversary. To celebrate, Parks Canada is offering free entry, all year-long. If you’re a life-long city dweller who has never truly experienced the great outdoors, now is your chance to see how the other half lives. Frolic in the great outdoors and have some fun, while you stay active and healthy.

Learn to camp and paddle, or ride over nine miles of fat bike trails, groomed in the most beautiful winter setting of Kouchibouguac National Park, in New Brunswick. Fat bike rentals are available on the premises, while Fundy National Park in New Brunswick offers tobogganing.

Experience a night in the great outdoors—build a quinzhee almost anywhere in the park or rent one of five oTENTiks—a hybrid of a cabin and a tent—for winter camping in Riding Mountain National Park, in Manitoba.

Skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers, head towards Southwest Gulch and then unwind by the wood stove in a ski hut in Gros Morne National Park, in western Newfoundland, or cross-country ski with friends on the groomed trails of La Mauricie National Park in Quebec. The Chambly Canal National Historic Site, also in Quebec, offers ice skating on three skating rinks.

If you are up for a challenge, try ice climbing in Waterton Lakes National Park, located in southern Alberta. Don’t forget to bring your camera or binoculars because you will get the opportunity to see unique wildlife, such as herds of elk or bighorn sheep.

If you’re curious and patient, you can ice fish (or simply chill by the fire) and take in the spectacular scenery in an ice-fishing hut at Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area in northern Ontario.

And finally, relax and unwind from all your newfound winter athleticism with a dip in the Canadian Rockies’ Radium Hot Springs. Try the soothing mineral waters in Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. The juxtaposition of the crisp mountain air on your face and hot springs on your body feels amazing and refreshing.

Maine

Maine is situated just below the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec.

Maine’s first green certified, Earth-friendly retreat center, Nurture Through Nature (NTN), thrives on 33 mountainside, forested acres in the heart of western Maine’s Lakes and Mountains region. NTN is a solar-powered, off-the-grid lodging and recreational retreat facility. You can stay in a cabin or a yurt; however, if you can’t disconnect completely, the “Harmony” cabin is dog-friendly and has WiFi, while The “Robin’s Nest” is inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s one room cabin. It’s time to write that novel. A week-long package is $620, and other options are available, such as $128 for two for the weekend.

Take advantage of private hiking trails along a spring-fed mountain brook, leading to long views of Mount Washington and the White Mountains.

You can design your own enriching retreat by adding specialized enhancements, such as holistic life coaching services, private or community yoga classes, guided meditation, a private sauna, massage therapy and healing arts classes.

If you don’t have time for the full-immersion, hippie experience, just drop by for their Super Sauna Saturday instead. Every Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., from October through March, their wood-fired sauna is open to the public as “a shared space for deep relaxation and community connection.” No appointment is necessary. The cost is $15 (or $10 for students). Bathing suits are required. No skinny dipping in the public sauna; however, private springs are accessible from the yurts.

New Hampshire

If you don’t want to travel as far up North, visit New Hampshire.

New Hampshire’s license plates still read, “Live free or die,” which gives a clear indication of the mentality of this plucky New England state. Its ideals are reminiscent of the fiercely independent spirit of the settlers of the original 13 colonies. There is plenty to see for American history buffs (or people who are anxious over President Trump’s new anti-immigration policies), who need some reassurance that authentic America still exists.

New Hampshire has some of the largest ski mountains on the East Coast. Aside from skiing, its major recreational attractions include snowmobiling, hiking and mountaineering.

Some additional activities include Cannon Mountain’s 80-passenger aerial tramway, in Franconia Notch State Park. The tramway quickly ascends over 2,000 feet, above a horizontal distance of more than a mile, whisking you above the timberline to the 4,200-foot summit for spectacular views of the White Mountains, into Maine, Vermont and even Canada.

Walking trails leave from the summit station to an observation tower with panoramic views of the valleys and mountains.

Alpine Adventures offers the uniquely combined winter activities of off-roading and snowshoeing. Winter showcases the extreme off-road capabilities of the Pinzgauers—six-wheel drive, Swiss army transport vehicles that have been modified to accommodate 11 passengers (one rides shotgun). The overhead cages are padded for safety, and a stereo system ensures that you can hear the tour guides describe the terrain.

Snowshoe tours are an interesting way to enjoy a trek through the 300-acre Barron Mountain. Excursions can last up to two hours, including a 30 minute off-road tour, in the aforementioned Pinzgauers and about an hour of snowshoeing. You will explore the surrounding White Mountains National Forest from a unique and up close perspective, while learning about the local wildlife and logging history of northern New Hampshire.

Trip routes and activities are based on each group’s ability and individual goals. The guides will help you select the right level of adventure and exploration. Don’t worry, a cup of hot cocoa is waiting for you along the trail.

Rhode Island

Touted as “New England’s Largest Winter Extravaganza,” the 29th annual Winter Festival will freeze your winter blues with many fun festivities. The festival takes place  from February 17 – 26, 2017, throughout Newport and Newport County. Featuring over 150 events, the festival offers a unique winter experience, combining food, tours and music.

Highlighted events include the helicopter tour and vineyard packages. Fly over the vineyards and all of Newport in a “heated” helicopter.

There are vineyard tours and wine tastings galore. Almost any activity can be combined with a wine tasting, even a yoga class!

You can make your own perfume or snowflake soap. Learn to create aromatherapy perfume blends with healer and chemist, Cynthia LaBonte, at Newport Aromatherapy or create and design your own soap, while learning the art of soap making at Newport Sea Foam Trading Company.

Cruise through Newport Harbor into Narragansett Bay for 360° views of Rhode Island’s state marine mammal in their natural habitat. Harbor Seals migrate from the north into Narragansett Bay every winter to feed, delighting locals and tourists alike. See them from the perfect vantage point of an educational marine vessel.

New York 

Obviously, we love New York, even outside of the boroughs. There are so many great vacation destinations. Many are merely a train ride away.

Most potheads are foodies, and foodies love Hudson, New York, for its artisanal farm-to-table food scene.  WM Farmer and Sons Boarding & Barroom is a charming, family-owned and operated, 14-room boutique hotel, featuring a scrumptious restaurant, whose chef is one of the Farmers. The menu boasts a winter citrus salad with chicories, Parmigiano-Reggiano and truffle vinaigrette and an entrée of Fazio Farms saddle of rabbit with
 stewed beluga lentils, porcini and rabbit jus. Every Tuesday through Saturda,y the barroom features Oyster Happy Hour. An average night costs $199 for double occupancy. Visit before February 20, since the hotel will be closed for renovations for the following two months.

After a cozy evening at WM Farmer’s, head to Cafe Le Perche for fresh bread and pastries made in an authentic wood-fired French oven. Pastries and pot go together like two peas in a pod.

Buffalo is a city on the shores of Lake Erie, in upstate New York. Its fine neoclassical, beaux arts and art deco architecture displays its history as an industrial capital in the early 20th century. Its landmarks include the 398-ft art deco City Hall and the esteemed architect Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Darwin D. Martin House. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is a Greek Revival museum, featuring artwork by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.

Lake Placid, located approximately nine unbelievably scenic miles from the foot of Whiteface Mountain, is an athlete’s town. Lake Placid has hosted two Winter Olympics. Athletes, both retired Olympians and Olympic hopefuls, are the backbone of the LP community.

While we don’t recommend skiing while stoned, there are many unique, off-mountain attractions, such as bobsledding down an international competition track at the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. It costs $95 for adults, which includes a professional driver and brakeman. This will probably be the most expensive minute of your life, but it should definitely be on the bucket list.

Speed and ice skating sessions are available on the Olympic Oval in the center of the picturesque Olympic village. It costs $6 for admission and $6 to rent skates. You can also skate on Mirror Lake.

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum features memorabilia and artifacts from every Winter Games, dating back to its origins in 1924, when local athlete Charles Jewtraw won the 1500 meter speed skate competition.

There is a free shuttle service during the winter season that runs between Lake Placid and Whiteface, with several stops in Lake Placid and Wilmington.

Accommodations range from five star resorts, to B&Bs, to vacation home rentals. Local couple Todd and Kim Ottenstein own 10 such properties, so give them a call at (518) 524-7335 or visit adirondackvacations.com, to inquire about booking your stay.

Pennsylvania

When most people think of Pennsylvania, the Amish Village springs to mind. While visiting Dutch Country is a fun experience for some, it can be a snoozefest for others. They have no electricity. We get it.  How quaint.

For those uninterested in Lancaster’s Amish scene, we’re inclined to reccommend the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Nemacolin’s sprawling 2000-acre (!) estate in Farmington, Pennsylvania, features 320 luxurious guest rooms, suites, townhouses, private homes and even tree houses for accommodation.

If you are an “animal person,” you will especially love Nemacolin. The grounds are home to over 100 animal species. The resort is open to the public. Going to see the animals on your own, either on foot or by car, is free. Their 1.5 hour guided safari tour is $90. The guided tour allows you to get up close and personal, and feed the animals. It requires a reservation; however, you do not need to be a guest of the resort. Zookeepers are on hand to provide an educational and entertaining experience as you learn about the featured animals’ habitat, diet and native home.

The Wildlife Habitats feature a petting zoo with enclosures for billy goats, red sheep, bears, bison, zebras, a Bengal tiger, lions, wolves and more.

Down the road, Nemacolin’s Wildlife Adventure offers a guided nursery tour of over 40 species of smaller exotic and domestic animals. Featured animals that may appear on any given day include the capuchin monkeys, Moluccan cockatoos, alligators, snakes, tegus and tortoises.

While traditional zoos have fallen from grace, due to overcrowding and unnatural, stressful habitats, Nemacolin prides itself on its commitment to the care and welfare of its Wildlife Academy. In fact, many of the animals on the property were rescued from failing zoos by the owner’s father. He believed that “making them part of the resort, would leave a lasting impression on our guests, provide an educational experience and foster the belief in conservation.”

After you’ve taken an animal safari, a dogsledding excursion will amp up your adrenaline, as you glide across the snow at speeds of up to 20 mph. Twenty-four adorable and athletic Alaskan Huskies power snowy treks across Pennsylvania’s gorgeous snow-carpeted landscapes, such as the Laurel Highlands countryside.

The unforgettable outing is enhanced with a kennel tour, where you will meet your sled dogs and visit with their musher. You will even learn the basics of dog sledding and how the musher maneuvers the sled while controlling the dogs with specific voice signals.

After you have had your fill of cute, fuzzy creatures, visit the chateau and adjacent lodge for dinner, play pool at the tavern or head to the full-service spa to fully relax and unwind. There are a handful of accommodations at Nemacolin. The Falling Rock Hotel has 24-hour butler-service, as does the Chateau Lafayette, which is inspired by The Ritz in Paris. The Garshak treehouse is a private house on stilts, where you can vape and commune with nature.

After you have had a luxurious night’s sleep, use the next day to try zip-lining, snowmobiling, horseback riding or snow-tubing. Backwoods trail riding on horseback for two miles is $75 per person. Snow-tubing is $20 for 2 hours. A rope pulley clips onto your tube and carries you right back up to the top of the hill, so you can slide right down again.

There is truly no shortage of seasonal entertainment. So what are you waiting for? Your East Coast winter playgrounds await!

Keep up with all of HIGH TIMES’ culture coverage, here. 

from Medical Marijuana News http://ift.tt/2lkQ2bJ via https://www.potbox.com/

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