Heading West

 

Last week we started a road trip out West.  Joel had to work a half day of in-patient service, so we left after lunch on Friday.  We stopped in North Platte, Nebraska to see the Union Pacific Bailey Yard.  It's the largest train yard in the world.  It handles 10,000 trains a day.  You can go up a tower to get a good look at the massive train yard, but sadly, we got there 10 minutes after it closed.  The kiddos still liked seeing the trains.  It was nice to get out and stretch our legs. 

North Platte also happens to win the distinction of one of the most memorable meals I've ever eaten and not in a good way.  I should have known better, but I ordered risotto at a local Italian restaurant.  I don't really know how to describe it except to say there was no risotto in the risotto.  Instead of a rice meal, it was a cream soup of chicken and broccoli.  Sigh.  

On a much happier note: the following day we got to see the Tanners!!  We haven't seen them since they moved from Ohio to Wyoming after dental school.  It was so fun to see them for a couple of hours.  The kiddos were all so young when we lived in Ohio that none of them remembered each other.  However, it took very little time for them to all become besties.  We went on a small hike up the mountain behind their house and the views were awesome!

I had to get a picture of these two together.  They used to play together on the floor as babies during church.  Look how big they are now!  They picked up right where they left off.  This time they discussed books and played on the piano and sang together. 

I loved seeing Heidi.  It was hard to say "goodbye."  Little Lady asked if she could stay and sleep over, and the kids all decided to become pen-pals until we can get back out to see them again.