The Kitsap Steamers
When we lived in Port Orchard our grandson came to visit (he was two or three at the time, I think). We were trying to think of some fun ways to entertain him and stumbled, quite by accident, on the Kitsap Steamers. They are railroad enthusiasts who build and run a 7-1/2 in gauge railroad from April through October every second and fourth Saturday.
These powerful little trains take riders around 4,000 feet of ground level track.
When we took our grandson on his first train experience he insisted on going around twice. It would have been three times, but we bought him some train crackers to ease the pain.
Our grandson is now eight and I know he remembers something of the experience because his favorite restaurant in Baker City, Oregon is the Sumpter Junction, which has several toy trains running throughout the restaurant.
It would be interesting to take him back to the Steamers, someday, to see if he remembers the experience.
The View From Here is published every Sunday.
Copyright © 2010 Moody Publishing Co
OK, Where Is The Front Of The Boat?
I heard a news report on one of the major radio stations last week about a car that was driving the wrong way on I-5. After a number of near misses, the car finally slammed head on into a semi. The driver of the car was killed instantly. At the end of the report the reporter said that there was no information on whether anyone was hurt.
Did I miss something? Maybe they meant to say that there was no information on whether anyone ELSE was hurt.
Interesting what happens when a single word in a news report gets skipped.
OK, Where Is The Front Of The Boat?
I take ferries from time to time and the question of where the front of the boat is often comes up – especially when Terri is with me.
I may be wrong, but the front of the boat for me is where my car is pointing.
Follow me here. The front of the boat is docked waiting to be loaded. Once we are on the boat and parked, however, the front of the boat becomes the back because we are facing forward. I am convinced of this and will not be dissuaded.
I am also convinced the same thing happens when I am a walk on passenger.
Its a Seattle thing. I’m taking it on faith, since there is no scientific explanation for this transformation.
Copyright © 2010 Moody Publishing Co
All Rights Reserved
Protection From Attack Rabbits
As you may remember from last time I decided to let the radio station in Nevada go, at least for the time being. There was a question of what to program to satisfy the listening audience, which, I determined, was made up of tumble weeds, coyotes and attack rabbits.
Just for fun, though, I sat down and really thought about what kind of programming I could put on that station in northern Nevada and I came up with Sports.
Sports would satisfy the interests of the coyote population, since they live a very active life – chasing road runners and such. I think I could get enough of them to tune in to satisfy the needs of advertisers for a return on investment. I could probably even get the giant ACME Corporation to throw in a few bucks as their primary market is frustrated coyotes.
I also chose sports because, as more and more coyotes tuned in, they would have a vested interest in protecting me from the attack rabbits. As I mentioned last time, their noses never stop moving and in the paws of an angry rabbit, the results can be, well, you get the idea.
This weekend I’m looking at a different radio station, one closer to home. One with a less aggressive audience – clams. I have never heard of a clam attacking anyone. In fact, when sauteed in butter they are really quite accomodating.
Copyright 2010 Moody Publishing Co
All Rights Reserved
I’m Late, I’m Late!
I’m late with my entry today because I was up late last night doing spreadsheets on a radio station I may be buying.
Long ago, when I worked for a major United States employer, I was taught to constantly crush the numbers until they started to scream and tell me the truth. The truth was always whether the project was financially viable. A lot of projects got abandoned, and rightfully so, because the numbers just would not work.
There was a radio station in West Wendover, Nevada that someone wanted to sell me a couple of weeks ago. I went, I saw, I experienced. Then I sat down with my spreadsheets and decided that my life would be a whole lot less complicated if I let the deal die quietly.
Most of the area that surrounds West Wendover is desert. I figured I could program to satisfy the wolves and even the tumble weeds, but the rabbits out there are very picky. One wrong song and they would be in my office sniffing me to death – those noses never stop moving and in the paws of an angry rabbit – well…
I’ve decided to look at a different radio property closer to home. I meet with the owner next week and then, as usual, my spreadsheets will get a work out. We’ll see.
Never know. In a month or so, I may be the proud owner of a radio station, something I have always wanted to be.
The View From Here is published every Sunday.
Copyright © 2010 Moody Publishing Co
All Rights Reserved
Hazardous Commute
I will sometimes get up early in the morning to do these posts. Usually that isn’t a problem. My commute is less than five feet from my bedroom to my office. Tonight, however, its a bit more of a challenge because my grand kids are visiting.
Visiting grand kids mean things on the carpet. Toys, mostly. Sharp toys. And since the carpet is a dark green and I rarely turn on the hall light, a very good chance I will step on them.
Tonight was no exception. Let’s see, one toy car, a Darth Vader action figure, two light sabers (got a clue what they love?), and a fish.
I don’t have fish in my house. Plants, yes. And lots of pictures. No fish.
It’s midnight and the kids are asleep. As tempted as I am to wake then to find out how or where they found a fish, I will be patient. The fish is no longer with us, but I’m keeping it in a plastic bag as evidence.
My grand kids are very creative and clever. I’m sure the explanation will be … interesting.
The View From Here is published every Sunday.
Copyright © 2010 Moody Publishing Co
All Rights Reserved
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