I made it. I did it. And I actually really enjoyed (most of) my day.
The weather was downright perfect for a road trip - no humidity at all, very clear (great scenic vistas on the way up and back), blue skies with a few puffy postcard clouds and sun, sun, sun. Nancy and I had lunch and then I went over to her store with her and found a lot of great stuff that fit, was cute and wasn't pricey. I put an armload of items on layaway - haven't done that in years.
Then I went to the Railroaders Memorial Museum, but the memorial hall was closed. The girl at the museum desk said that they were renovating the hall (it did need that) and are planning to restore a roundhouse as part of the museum grounds. I looked at the map plan that was on display and it will be pretty darn impressive if they can raise the funds to get it rebuilt.
So, since I couldn't see Leo's plaque, I decided to go to the Horseshoe Curve. Another of my typical August 11th activities, though I don't do that every year (for example, last year I was experiencing a taste bud orgasm from the Bacon Dark Chocolate Cheesecake at Herwig's Austrian Bistro in State College).
Anyway, I got to the Curve, rode the funicular up the steep hill to the viewing area, and read the plaques while I waited for some trains to come. A pair of helpers went up the mountain...no tears. A truck train went up the mountain...still no tears. Another pair of helpers went up the mountain and I STILL didn't lose it. This is progress, people. (I was expecting the coal train to come down after those four helpers went up, but it didn't while I was there. I saw it heading eastbound through Lilly and Cresson later.)
Then I drove up to the cemetery in Lilly and for the first time in eleven years, I did not cry. I got choked up when the trains went by, but I did not cry. I left a dozen red roses on the headstone and headed west so that I could stop to pick up groceries for my mom before I went to her apartment. Visiting the Midgester is an endurance test.
On the drive home from there, I tempted fate by playing some songs that are usually guaranteed to make me cry. Only one almost managed to do it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8295rOMvtQI&feature=feedf
But this one, which usually does, did not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgT9zGkiLig&feature=feedf
However.
Now that I am home, THIS is the one to close out the day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNsmF9JTpuI
October skies will be here again soon...my favorite time of year.
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