A New Chapter: ALASKAN DANIELLE's Chronicles

[Lisa89125]

Okay, I defer to the expert! I'd refer to my pictures of that day, but they're on slides in a box somewhere. I just remember it was huge and articulated and seemed as big as the one in the Henry Ford Museum. I can't even remember if it was a x-8-8-x or an x-6-6-x. I'm sure you've got a better idea which one it could have been than I do. I'm guessing I rode it some time in the early 90's.

Stephanie

Stephanie, You rode on the challenger type 4-6-6-4. The interesting thing about that loco is when it was restored in 1981, it never really got the major rebuild it should have. They did convert the loco to burn oil in the early 1990's, using parts off of the only other challenger 3977. Which is on permanent display. For years they just patched it up and kept it running. It's no wonder Steve Lee then the head of the steam shop said it rode like a log truck. Having been built in the 1940's and running millions of miles it was time for a complete overhaul back in the 1990's.



It's well worth watching the updates UPRR puts out about the Big Boy restoration. This kind of work is what the challenger badly needs and will finally get in the not too distant future.


Lisa

[Donica]

Aren't the railways still messed up from the earthquake? I'd just wait for the next flight. Maybe you can get a refund Danielle?

[BritneyX]

That comic strip has me rolling!  Too phunny!

[BritneyX]

Stephanie, You rode on the challenger type 4-6-6-4. The interesting thing about that loco is when it was restored in 1981 it never really got the major rebuild it should have. They did convert the loco to burn oil in the early 1990's using parts off of the only other challenger 3977 which is on permanent display. For years they just patched it up and kept it running. It's no wonder Steve Lee then the head of the steam shop said it rode like a log truck. Having been built in the 1940's and running millions of miles it was time for a complete overhaul back in the 1990's.


It's well worth watching the updates UPRR puts out about the Big Boy restoration. This kind of work is what the challenger badly needs and will finally get in the not too distant future.



Lisa

Don't worry..  Every girl needs her daily dose of iron, steel and steam!!!!
I am so excited about the Big Boy resto.  Before they moved 4014, the 4018 at the Texas State Fair was moved along the rails to the Museum of the American Railroad in nearby Frisco, Texas.  I was not able to see the move in person, but the video had me hoop'n and a holler'n.  The hairs on the back of my neck were standing.  It is just so amazing how the locomotives were engineered and built.  Their designs have not changed, all that much since the turn of the 20th Century.   I wish that they would build an update design steam locomotive with modern technology.  They could make it so much superior to the best that the steam era had that it would give the diesels a run for the money.  May not be applicable on most American roads, but in areas of the world that don't have easy access to diesel fuel, it would be a much better alternative. Imagine Africa having rail service to connect the nations and bring about an African EU.  That would alleviate a lot of problems there (few highways) and the mass immigration (legal/illegal) that is overtaxing many EU countries. 

[Northern Star Girl]

UPDATE... Friday afternoon....  January 04, 2019

I finally made it home about an hour ago....  I immediately changed into my sweats, turned on my fireplace, and sat down in my comfy recliner chair.  It is just 4:15 PM here now so I am soon getting out of my chair, and will get the table set for dinner...
My Tooth Fairy told me that she is bringing dinner tonight for us to eat together....  I do miss her a lot... it has been over a week since we have seen each other...  [emoji173]   I am planning a nice evening with her.
Hugs,
Danielle

[ChrissyRyan]

UPDATE... Friday afternoon....  January 04, 2019

I finally made it home about an hour ago....  I immediately changed into my sweats, turned on my fireplace, and sad down in my comfy recliner chair.  It is just 4:15 PM here now so I am soon getting out of my chair, and will get the table set for dinner...
My Tooth Fairy told me that she is bringing dinner tonight for us to eat together....  I do miss her a lot... it has been over a week since we have seen each other...  [emoji173]   I am planning a nice evening with her.
Hugs,
Danielle

Have a great time together tonight Danielle!

Chrissy

[BritneyX]

UPDATE... Friday afternoon....  January 04, 2019

I finally made it home about an hour ago....  I immediately changed into my sweats, turned on my fireplace, and sat down in my comfy recliner chair.  It is just 4:15 PM here now so I am soon getting out of my chair, and will get the table set for dinner...
My Tooth Fairy told me that she is bringing dinner tonight for us to eat together....  I do miss her a lot... it has been over a week since we have seen each other...  [emoji173]   I am planning a nice evening with her.
Hugs,
Danielle

Glad to hear that all is well and fabulous in the Land of the snow and ice.  Sounds like Suitor #1 is no the back burner?

[sarah1972]

I am so sorry to hear about your travel troubles. Nothing worse than looking forward to being home and then getting stuck on the way.

How sweet of your Tooth Fairy to have prepared a nice meal for you. I hope you will have a wonderful evening.

I had my fair share of getting stuck in transit. I once missed my wife's birthday being stuck in (I don't even know anymore) and also had a emergency landing due to equipment malfunction delaying travels and a few more incidents where my arrival was delayed by hours or up to two days.

The more you travel, the more likely it is to happen.

Lucky Amtrak has never caused an overnight delay, the worst was 6 hours (on a 3 hour ride)

I am just glad to hear you are home safely and I am sure you have a lot to process. Relax and enjoy a wonderful evening!

Hugs,

Sarah

UPDATE... Friday afternoon....  January 04, 2019

I finally made it home about an hour ago....  I immediately changed into my sweats, turned on my fireplace, and sad down in my comfy recliner chair.  It is just 4:15 PM here now so I am soon getting out of my chair, and will get the table set for dinner...
My Tooth Fairy told me that she is bringing dinner tonight for us to eat together....  I do miss her a lot... it has been over a week since we have seen each other...  [emoji173]   I am planning a nice evening with her.
Hugs,
Danielle

[Northern Star Girl]

Glad to hear that all is well and fabulous in the Land of the snow and ice.  Sounds like Suitor #1 is no the back burner?

@BritneyX
Thank you for sharing your thoughts... and yes indeed, it is good to be home... no place like home...
It was a very long trip traveling home from my week long visit with family... caught first plane yesterday Thursday afternoon and delayed for hours in the evening...missed flights and connections again and again delayed today Friday morning till early afternoon when my last plane landed.   Almost 24 hours of travel, delays, having too much coffee, and finding internet and power plugs at the airports.

I missed both connections, planes were very late or cancelled, etc, etc....  bad weather and closed airports were most of the blame...

Regarding suitors, you might have missed some of the details in my previous "Hunted Prey" thread...  I have had 5 suitors of notable mention and a few more additional suitors of probable mutual interest.
I will recap for you:

Male Suitor #1  ... met at the coffee shop... we dated and he was high on my list but not any longer for speaking bad about me for being a trans-woman with his new girlfriend.
Male Suitor #2 Creepy Gym Guy... end of story
Male Suitor #3 Shy Guy, he is still on my list, he is a nice guy and not so shy anymore.
Female Suitor #4 my Dental Hygienist....   she is a sweetheart and my main flame.
Female Suitor #5 my Barista at the next door coffee shop.  She is not only a suitor but a wonderful friend.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hugs,
Danielle

[Jessica]

@Alaskan Danielle 

UPDATE... Friday afternoon....  January 04, 2019

I finally made it home about an hour ago....  I immediately changed into my sweats, turned on my fireplace, and sat down in my comfy recliner chair.  It is just 4:15 PM here now so I am soon getting out of my chair, and will get the table set for dinner...
My Tooth Fairy told me that she is bringing dinner tonight for us to eat together....  I do miss her a lot... it has been over a week since we have seen each other... [emoji173]   I am planning a nice evening with her.
Hugs,
Danielle

This made me happy that you've found someone to care for and hold in your arms 💕💕💕

[Jenny1969]

Glad you made it home.  Hope dinner and desert goes well too     We are all standing by for details.....

LOL

[Jenny1969]

Good morning Danielle 

Wakey Wakey!!   Get a move on!!!!!  You have lots to do today!!!!!

[Donica]

Welcome home Danielle! I hope you and your Tooth Fairy had a wonderful dinner and reunion last night. It's wonderful to share time with loved ones. My girlfriend "A" and I shared cake last night. It was wonderful to spend time with her again.

FYI: German CHOCOLATE cake! Yum!

Hugs,
Donica.

[Jessica]

Welcome home Danielle! I hope you and your Tooth Fairy had a wonderful dinner and reunion last night. It's wonderful to share time with loved ones. My girlfriend "A" and I shared cake last night. It was wonderful to spend time with her again.

FYI: German CHOCOLATE cake! Yum!

Hugs,
Donica.

It is wonderful isn't it!  My sweeties birthday was yesterday.  I made her a carrot cake (her fav) and had some last night with her after a fun, family night out at a local Italian restaurant.
We both were giggling together (we both had a few beers since our son was driving).

[BritneyX]

I am so sorry to hear about your travel troubles. Nothing worse than looking forward to being home and then getting stuck on the way.

How sweet of your Tooth Fairy to have prepared a nice meal for you. I hope you will have a wonderful evening.

I had my fair share of getting stuck in transit. I once missed my wife's birthday being stuck in (I don't even know anymore) and also had a emergency landing due to equipment malfunction delaying travels and a few more incidents where my arrival was delayed by hours or up to two days.

The more you travel, the more likely it is to happen.

Lucky Amtrak has never caused an overnight delay, the worst was 6 hours (on a 3 hour ride)

I am just glad to hear you are home safely and I am sure you have a lot to process. Relax and enjoy a wonderful evening!

Hugs,

Sarah

I was a Naval C-130T Loadmaster.  We got stuck for a gauge problem in Germany and we had 6 days of driving around Europe awaiting the part.  May I suggest the Mosel River valley (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) for a wonderful wine and castle tour to our Family here on Susan's.  It is breath taking.

Now, the last time we got stuck was for the same persnickety HSI gauge.  This was on the Isle of Sal in the Cape Verde chain of the coast of West Africa.  We were there a little over 2 weeks awaiting the part.  Although it was pleasant weather and beautiful beaches at the all inclusive British hotel, it was on this mission, at this very place, that my Service Related Injury occurred.  I so enjoy the lifetime of "memories" that I have to live with now.

[BritneyX]

@BritneyX
Thank you for sharing your thoughts... and yes indeed, it is good to be home... no place like home...
It was a very long trip traveling home from my week long visit with family... caught first plane yesterday Thursday afternoon and delayed for hours in the evening...missed flights and connections again and again delayed today Friday morning till early afternoon when my last plane landed.   Almost 24 hours of travel, delays, having too much coffee, and finding internet and power plugs at the airports.

I missed both connections, planes were very late or cancelled, etc, etc....  bad weather and closed airports were most of the blame...

Regarding suitors, you might have missed some of the details in my previous "Hunted Prey" thread...  I have had 5 suitors of notable mention and a few more additional suitors of probable mutual interest.
I will recap for you:

Male Suitor #1  ... met at the coffee shop... we dated and he was high on my list but not any longer for speaking bad about me for being a trans-woman with his new girlfriend.
Male Suitor #2 Creepy Gym Guy... end of story
Male Suitor #3 Shy Guy, he is still on my list, he is a nice guy and not so shy anymore.
Female Suitor #4 my Dental Hygienist....   she is a sweetheart and my main flame.
Female Suitor #5 my Barista at the next door coffee shop.  She is not only a suitor but a wonderful friend.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hugs,
Danielle

I don't even own a suit!  I'm jealous.    The duality of your suitor pool has me wondering who I will be attracted to, now that my likes and tastes are evolving with my transition.

[Northern Star Girl]

It is wonderful isn't it!  My sweeties birthday was yesterday.  I made her a carrot cake (her fav) and had some last night with her after a fun, family night out at a local Italian restaurant.
We both were giggling together (we both had a few beers since our son was driving).

@Jessica
Dear Jess...
Your Carrot Cake birthday cake that you made for your wife looks wonderful... I am sure that it tastes as good as it looks...  It sounds like you had a very nice time and family dinner night out.  From the what I read in your posting, I am glad that your son was the designated driver.

Thank you for sharing and posting.
Hugs and hugs,
Danielle

[Northern Star Girl]

Welcome home Danielle! I hope you and your Tooth Fairy had a wonderful dinner and reunion last night. It's wonderful to share time with loved ones. My girlfriend "A" and I shared cake last night. It was wonderful to spend time with her again.

FYI: German CHOCOLATE cake! Yum!

Hugs,
Donica.

@Donica
Dear Donica:
Yes indeed, my Tooth Fairy made me a wonderful dinner and we enjoyed sitting in front of my fireplace, talking, sipping wine, more talking... and just being close and sitting there and not saying anything, just enjoying the moment.

Ahhhhh, German Chocolate Cake .... mmm, mmm, good.   I always like to get a slice of it with lots of frosting.   
What? No Picture???   You know the rules here, "no picture...or it didn't happen!"

Thank you for sharing and posting.
Lots of Hugs,
Danielle

[BritneyX]

@Donica

What? No Picture???   You know the rules here, "no picture...or it didn't happen!
Danielle

Danielle, you know that a picture will add 10 lbs.!   

[Northern Star Girl]

Danielle, you know that a picture will add 10 lbs.!   

@BritneyX
Yes, for sure... Cameras and Mirrors can be the worst enemy of anyone in the middle of transitioning... we tend to be our own worst critics.

Thanks for checking in on my thread and sharing your thoughts!!!
Danielle