Garden Train 2010 (Revisited)

The largest privately owned Garden Railroad

Since my blogspot was created in 2011, many of my websites are not in it. I decided to revisit one of the largest privately owned garden rail road in Oregon. This garden rail road was featured in CNN.com as well as the owner tried to sell the property, asking price was about $3.0 million plus. It was a nice visit indeed, thanks to our friend Cheryl and Penny who invited us for this “steam-up”. Inside you will find the largest G Scale railroad indoor. This is simply amazing.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2010/gtrain.html
http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2010/gtrain2.html
http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/train/gscale.html

National Train Day 2014

National Train Day 2014

Today is National Train Day, so I have to go and check it out. The threat of rain did not materialize during the morning hours, a good thing. As usual we got to the Union Station minutes before it is open, thus the crowd is still manageable, even that, the event is filling rather quickly, apparently this show is a favorite among parents with a small kids like myself. There are about thirty booths in all. I am happy that I got my hat; remember an early bird always catches the worm. Enjoy! I can’t wait to be on board next week to Chicago!

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/ntd

Peony Garden

Adelman Peony Gardens

There are two words to describe going to this Peonies Garden – “windy” and “too early”, O well, three words then. Nonetheless, we were able to take as much photographs as we could. We drove south for about forty-five minutes to Adelman garden in Salem, two more weeks would have been perfect as I was told, but in two weeks we will be on the train to Chicago to celebrate my 55^th birthday, I will torture Pokie for 3 days and 2 nights on the train. As usual Pokie was in charge for the close up images. Sit back and enjoy the beauty of the nature on this early May.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/peony

Happy Easter

Caution: Wet Flower!

With the suggestion from our neighbor, we went to Al’s Garden this morning, just a few miles down the road from where we live. I only brought my macro lens and Pokie was the sole photographer for this assignment. We quickly downloaded our images and one finger stay on the DELETE button since taking macro we have to content with unintentional blurriness; we want some “BOKEH” effect that will enhance the images on the other hand. I hope you find your favorite flowers or colors. We also wish you Happy Passover and Happy Easter 2014.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/als

Woodburn Tulip Festival 2014

Woodburn 

I could easily say this is “Happy Spring II” the sequel. The weather is a bit chilly but the lighting is outstanding to take tulips. These colors are screaming to my lens wanting me to click the shutter button. While I like overall pictures, sort of landscape, stacking the various colors to make a good composition, Pokie prefers a more close-ups of the flowers. As a result, we complement each other and make such a good team to take this tulip festival of 2014. The last time we came here was in 2010, some four years ago. Come, I take you for an easy walk; watch the puddles!

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/tulip

Happy Spring 2014

Spring 2014

Happy Spring 2014 everyone! I always come back to the same spot year after year to see these flowers blooming. It is like saying, “Spring is here, spring is here!” It makes me so happy to see these plus the sun is out with a full force. It was a beautiful day indeed. On a troubling note, someone is using my social security to file a 2013 tax return; it means just one thing! I have to deal with the IRS. Wish me luck!


http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/spring

Snowstorm 2014

Obsidian Street looking west

This must have been the second worst snowstorm since 2008. The office was closed for two days in between weekend, unheard of since I have been in Portland. Four days at home, I became restless, there was so much you can do, and television had been my best friend in the duration of the snow days. It took more than two hours on Thursday, February 6^th to get home, when the snow was covering the street we decide to head back home. I was very careful what I drank in term of quantity, but nonetheless everything was shrinking including my bladder, so I had to melt some snow in the middle of the snow blizzard somewhere in Hillsdale on the side of the road. This snowstorm also cost me two vacation days for nothing.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/snow