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Keeping active children engaged during family gatherings can be challenging at times. I am grateful for the fun, uncomplicated activities found on various child-related internet sites.

Thanks to my daughter for this fun, easy activity for Thanksgiving. I apologize for not knowing to whom the credit goes. But thank you!

We cut out ‘feathers’ from colored paper, put them all about the house. The children ‘found’ them and taped them to the drawn Turkey we taped on the wall. It was fun, but did not last very long.

*My daughter drew the Turkey on paper and taped to the wall.*

*‘Feathers’ were strewn all about the house.*

*Helping the children tape on feathers.*

Do you have special holiday activities? Please share!

#558, that is its name. The number/name of the huge diesel engine that pulled our delightful scenic train cars steadily through the gloriously fall-colored Alleghany Mountains last week.

From the Western Maryland train station in Cumberland, Maryland through the crisp mountains to Frostburg, Maryland. The kind of Fall day that everyone loves. Perfect temperature, beautiful fall colors, an outing with family and friends.

The appeal of trains seems universal. Perhaps because they feel so “old world”. Walking on the platform at the station, buying a real paper ticket, to the Conductor who wears the same uniform it seems has never changed has a way of transporting one back in time.

We were able to walk from one car to another. The fun of that! The side-to-side roll of the cars made keeping ones balance a bit tricky. The open air car was the best. A cool breeze in the morning gave way to a perfect one on the return trip that afternoon.

An extra-special treat was offered for two passengers coming back or going to Frostburg willing to pay the passage. Two guests could ride in the engine with Diesel Dave, the engineer. We quickly booked the ride for two of our grandsons (the other g/son was too young) for the trip back down the mountain.

What a time those boys had with Diesel Dave! He told them all about the engine, trains, and taught them the whistle signals for road crossings. He even let them blow the whistle!

In Frostburg we watched with amazement the engine being turned on a giant turntable, change tracks and attach to other end of the train to bring us back.

There was time to spend in Frostburg, so we visited a well-done Coal Miners outdoors exhibit. We got a small glimpse of the awful dangers of coal mining, and the never-ending hardships of their daily lives.

A terrific outing for everyone!