January 2, 2009:
We arrived at our destination, Emeryville, California at 6:30 p.m. Because of slow going in the Sierras, the train was 50 minutes late. Not too bad for a 50-hour trip. Here are a few more images from the last leg of our trip.
Sparks, Nevada, as seen from our cabin. We were here for about half an hour, while a private rail car was attached to the train.
An old warehouse across the tracks from the Sparks train station that apparently once held Harrah's Automobile Collection.
Climbing the Sierra Nevada along the Truckee River.
Heavy snow and a glimpse of Donnor Lake.
Out of the snow and into the fog and rain of the Sierra foothills. Colfax, California.
January 2, 2009, 8:00 a.m.:
Somewhere west of Winnemucca, Nevada.
January 1, 2009, 11:00 p.m.:
The train station at Salt Lake City.
January 1, 2009, 5:30 p.m.:
Ruby Canyon, Utah, at sunset.
January 1, 2009, 1:00-4:00 p.m.:
Traveling over the Rocky Mountains.
January 1, 2009, 8:30 a.m.:
A half-hour stop in Denver. A warehouse district adjacent to the train station:
"The Ski Train" was parked on one of the adjacent tracks:
A private rail car was parked on the other track:
Note the name:
January 1, 2009:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We pulled into Omaha, Nebraska right at midnight. Our car stopped in front of the old station, which obviously is no longer in use. But I liked its decrepit look.
December 31, 2008:
This is the station at Ottumwa, Iowa at about 8:00 p.m.
This is Debbie is saying, "It's cold out here. You've taken enough pictures."
December 31, 2008:
Debra and Bob's trip from Chicago to the Bay Area on the California Zephyr.
The Grand Hall at Union Station.
To all trains.
Doors to the Metropolitan Lounge.
Debra lounging in the Metropolitan Lounge.
The train, just before departure.
Departing Chicago, 2:26 p.m.
Our porter, Michael.
December 25, 2008:
Christmas at the Irwin House:
The opening of the presents begins.
Bev Irwin with a gift from Morro Bay.
Elizabeth in front of the tree.
February - December 2008:
I have been very delinquent in posting news. It's been almost a year. Sorry.
The biggest event of the year was Sarina Shiekh's marriage to Andrew King (so she is now Sarina King). That was in June. Here are a few pictures from the wedding.
A wedding rehearsal, Texas style.
Sarina, with her Mom and new mother-in-law, Jane.
Sarina and Andrew.
The crowd disperses. That's Renae (Sarina's aunt), Bev (Sarina's grandmother), and Bobby (Sarina's grandfather) in the foreground.
Bob and Debra.
Mary Lee, Maggie, and Linn.
Finally, Bob "dancing" with Sarina. Check out that under bite.
Beyond that, here are a few pictures from Bob and Debbie's travels up and down the California Coast.
Bob, Debra, Gail, and Mike at the top of Trinidad Head.
Bob and his cousin Kathy.
Maggie at Stinson Beach.
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, close up.
Sunset from Elk.
A Morro Bay local.
Big Sur.
January 2008:
Charlie and Mary Lee began 2008 by continuing their travels around the world. This month, they took a cruise up the Amazon. The cruise ship was not one of the massive ones, but still pretty big. Big enough to have show girls. They seemed to like Charlie.
Below is a picture of Charlie and Mary Lee in the jungle with their guide. I guess he was a reasonably good guide. He guided them back out of the jungle, and they made it home safely.
