1/4/10

My World - New Years Day

The first day of 2010 was a stunner out here in the Wild West. And as we are now heading into the 'deep freeze' again, we made the most of it, packed a picnic and headed outdoors.

A little New Years Geocaching was in order, so we decided to try and find a couple that are local to us, but are out of bounds in the warmer months due to Rattlesnakes. The first find of the day was easy and so we headed way out into the country in search of another.

The casual passerby, of which there are few out here, probably wouldn't even notice the old bridge as they kick up a dust cloud in their wake. But there are clues to be seen all around if you just take the time to look.

The silence is truly golden in this spot, but once upon a time the peace was shattered daily by a freight train. Now the only visitors are Geocachers like the Hubster, hunting for a very elusive cache.

This old bridge was on Santa Fe's branch line that ran from Shattuck to Perryton, Texas. It had a single car called a "Doodlebug" that ran five days a week. It not only carried passengers but the mail, bread, livestock feed, cream cans full of cream and milk, eggs, live chickens, and grain to the silo on the main line.

If you look off into the far distance, you can just spot the water tower in the destination town of Shattuck. The actual tracks were still there just 4 years ago, but it hasn't been in use for probably 20-30 years.

But it's not hard to picture the old freight train trundling through this scenic and now peaceful spot. Unfortunately the hunt for the cache was unsuccessful, so we will try again another day.

To join in the fun go to My World Tuesday

23 comments:

Winifred said...

They were great photos Sarah. Isn't it sad about railways. I think they should open them up again to reduce the environmental damage. Hard to give up the cars though when the cost of rail transport is so high.

Arija said...

...but the pictures were great. I love railway tracks that go over the emd of the world, and these are so delightfully overgrown with dry and sere grasses and accentuated by the decaying timbers that it adds to the effect of 'once upon a time'.

Sylvia K said...

Your pictures are terrific as always and the wild west did indeed look familiar! Arija is right it does have a "once upon a time" feeling!

Hope your new year is off to a great start, Sarah!

Sylvia

Carver said...

What a beautiful day for photography. I enjoyed the words and photos so much.

The Good Life in Virginia said...

sorry to hear you did not find the second cache, but there is always another day :)
enjoyed your photographs :)

North West London Girl said...

What very beautiful photographs. There is sadness but also a great sense of peace - perfect for my thoughtful mood today xx

Michelloui said...

I love your photos, reminds me of my Oklahoma home. The tracks remind me of laying awake on hot summer nights listening to the whistle of a freight train in the distance.

I would love to try Geocaching one day, I just need to get myself organised to investigate the local area. Good luck next time!

Flea said...

Oh what fun! And what a beautiful day! I was looking at that track thinking, "Wouldn't those ties make a great boundary for a raised garden."

Anonymous said...

hmmm. I wonder if people geocache in Hawaii and how one gets started with it here.

Gaelyn said...

Geocaching sure does take you out into some beautiful rural countryside. Love that shot of the old bridge and torn up tracks disappearing into the distance. Glad you had a warm enough day to get out.

Anonymous said...

A great day out and a fun New Years day outing. Nice to see more of those excellent scenes.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Fun, fun. I love rural geocaching. Even you don't find it, you see something cool.

Too darn cold and snowy right now.

SandyCarlson said...

These are very beautiful.

Quilt Works said...

What a nice trip you took us on! As far as photos, my favorite is the railload that you took from a low angle! Great job!


...My world = my studio

Kay said...

I really love that last track level photo. That geo-caching adventure sounds like such fun.

LadyFi said...

Great photos. And my - it looks warm!

Tess Kincaid said...

Sensational pics, Sarah! Fun to see you at the manor the other day. How goes it, dear bloggy friend?

Bella Foxx said...

Great Pictures! We have old railroad tracks that run through our town. And an 'incline railway' that goes up the mountain where there used to be a hotel and casino. They burned down years ago, but it is a favorite spot for hikers.

imac said...

Great trip all the same.

Pam said...

I love love LOVE these photos, especially of the one of G on the bridge. Wonderful history, isn't it interesting how the grass hasn't taken over those ruts yet. I was trying to explain the geocaching to son-in-law, so we need to take him out soon.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sarah: Interesting photos on your expedition.

VictorianCobweb said...

What a fun day! Nothing better that a beautiful sunny Oklahoma New Years Day out in the wide open looking for treasures, whether it be geotreasures, photo treasures or what kind of treasures. Thank you for sharing your day.

Elisabeth said...

Super shots! Thoroughly enjoyed reading your post--very interesting!