Archive for November 14th, 2009

Seattle’s Rich Train History Brings out the Inner Child in

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Seattle’s Rich Train History Brings out the Inner Child in us All

Boys and girls of all ages love trains and trains have played a vital role in the history of this country and Seattle Washington and the Northwest in particular. In fact, the roles of trains on this part of the country have in the past been so vital that there are a few museums dedicated to that very important mode of transportation. Trains were essentially lifelines for the populations here for many years. While their importance seems to be diminishing in today’s society, their importance throughout the history of our country remains.

If you truly are a train lover, then it shouldn’t be difficult to talk you into stopping by Seattle’s Train Center before and after touring the museums dedicated to trains and their importance in history. The Train Center offers a wide selection of model train parts and pieces that would make excellent additions to your collection or a great beginning to a collection for you or your little one.

After you’ve whetted your appetite for trains and gotten your little one all excited about them, it is time to talk a walk back in time to the Northwest Railway Museum. Here you can learn about railway history or even choose to take a ride on one of the trains that departs for several excursions throughout the day. Most of the trips are 65-75 minutes long and a great treat for young and old alike. Perhaps the greatest thing about this museum is that their main objective is to educate the public about the important role that railroads had in the development of this part of the country.

If you’re really interested in sharing your love of trains with the ones you love, you may consider taking a turn on the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train. This is a great way to not only get the experience of riding the rails but to take in some of the beautiful Washington scenery and have a gourmet meal in the process. During the months of November through April up to two children ride free with a paying adult. There are certain restrictions as to the type of seating, but it is a great time to enjoy the experience at a greatly reduced price. There are also special events such as Murder Mystery Trains and Magic and Illusion shows in addition to certain holiday events as well. Be sure to check out what’s going on while you’re visiting Seattle and see if this is something that might interest you and your family.

If you are up for a not so short drive to Pasco (about three and a half hours from Seattle), you might find the Washington State Railroads Historical Society Museum well worth the trip. Be sure to remember that the museum is only opened on Saturday and that the hours are limited so this is a trip you need to plan in advance to take. The greatest thing about this museum to me is the fact that there are neat little stories, like the blackboard that recorded the first snowfall at the depot each year and others such as this. It’s the little stories that don’t necessarily make history that do make lasting impressions and I’m glad to see this particular story is being shared. Just remember, when visiting any of these depots, museums, and train tours that you absolutely must bring your inner child with you in order to properly enjoy them.

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Consider An Eco Tour For Your Mauritius Vacation

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Do you want to get away from city life, and have an exciting change from your everyday environment? Would you like a vacation which is decidely different from everything in your daily routine? If your answer to these questions is “Yes!” you will love a Mauritius vacation focused on an eco-tour.

An eco-tour on Mauritius is the most excellent choice in travel destinations for anyone who delights in nature and the natural environment. The unspoiled beauty you will find here on this island is beyond compare! You will have the opportunity to not only view but also explore one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world. Whether your taste is for photographing the vast mountains, walking through the forests, or taking a little adventure in the waterfalls, there is nothing quite like the experience you will enjoy on Mauritius.

The plant life that you will find in the Botanical Garden cannot be found anywhere else. You will see a wide variety of exotic plants, as well as some of the most spectacular palm trees anywhere in the world. The enormous water lilies are of the most breathtaking plant forms that you could ever see! The Botanical Garden, which encompasses sixty acres, is one of the most famous of its kind worldwide.

Wildlife is also in abundance on Mauritius. Deer, boars, and tortoises are only a few of the wildlife highlights which you will encounter on the island. While you may take part in a bit of game hunting if you wish, you will also see that the wildlife of Mauritius will provide wonderful photographic opportunities. This makes an eco-tour on Mauritius as appropriate and fun for the young children as it will be for the adults no one will go home from this vacation without a host of delightful experiences to share and to remember.

If you would like to have an even more personal experience with nature at its best, your Mauritius vacation offers some very special ways for you to do so. You can explore the ocean floor and the life forms in the ocean on the Blue Safari submarine. If you wish, you can easily learn how to walk on the ocean floor itself; or you can have the excitement of getting thoroughly equipped for a day of skin-diving. You will be able to see all of the different types of marine life, and you may also encounter shipwrecks from four centuries in the past.

During your Mauritius vacation’s eco-tour, you will see that this island has an abundance of opportunities for you to learn about and enjoy this island in all of its splendor, both in the waters and on the land. Whether you know little about nature and wish to learn, or whether you are already quite familiar with natural resources and would like a vacation spot where you can best enjoy it all, an eco-tour on Mauritius will more than meet your expectations it will be the vacation trip of your dreams!

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