Coolspring Power Museum June 2015 Part 2

Meeting New Friends

Today opened with an overcast sky. It seemed to want to rain, but wasn't...yet. People around our area would call the air or weather "close" (like "stay close to me" not "close the door") which means it was really hot and humid. I was glad it wasn't raining because Xyra had made plans to meet Flo from Say Hello to My Little Friends and she was going to bring one of her girls. 

After breakfast, we walked up to the Coolspring General Store. 

They have really comfortable porch swings. 

The second swing was raised to protect a bird's nest. I didn't understand at first, but I saw the twigs sticking through the slats on the one end.

Shortly after we sat down, we saw a car come around the corner and hoped it was Flo. It was! Flo and Shivan alighted (learned that one from Nancy Drew - it means got out of the car) and we exchanged greetings and gifts. They brought us an awesome binder. (You'll see it in my last Coolspring post - I promise.) 

Then we headed to the museum grounds by way of the Snow. Not the cold white stuff, but the 600 horse power engine that was originally used to pump natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York state. Shivan and I posed for a couple of pictures by the Snow.

That section behind us is only about one fifth of the engine - it's HUGE!

I really loved Shivan's outfit. She told me the shorts and tee came from If Dolls Could Dream on Etsy, her striped socks from Julie's roller skate set, and her boots from Hobby Lobby.

We made our way down the hill and through the buildings. In the Power Tech Annex we watched the Paradox run for a bit. 

This was originally a child's toy. Can you imagine? You hooked it up to the gas line for the kitchen stove or to the line for illuminating the house.

Flo saw the Bessemer and mentioned knowing something about that company because of where it was located - Grove City, PA. There are a lot of engines that were built in Pennsylvania.

Over in the Power House Annex we stopped again to pose by a beautifully restored Otto.

Most of the engines have signs with vital information on them; this is the one for the Otto. (I don't know why is turned - computers sometimes...ugh!)

From there we headed through the Sousong and Preston Memorial Hall buildings. Special engines are housed here like these.

After making our way through the Expo Building and flea market area it was time to find a bench and chat. Boy, did we talk about everything! American Girl, Our Generation, Etsy, books, movies, our blogs, other blogs, crafts, crafters (Amaya were your ears burning?), etc. Time flew by...then the thunder started to rumble. So we took a few last photos before walking back out to their car and saying good bye. 

Oh. My. Goodness! We had so much fun meeting Flo and Shivan. (They could post about our meeting before I could; check it out here.) I hope we get to see them again. Unfortunately, it will be Haley's turn to visit Coolspring in October.

If you're interested, my outfit...
Tee shirt from Kay Jay's Doll Shoppe in Ocean City, NJ; shorts from the Pennsburg Ace, Socks are a yard sale find, boots from OG Mad about Plaid outfit; necklace was part of my Meet Accessories.

More tomorrow!

Stop again soon.  Have a great day!

Coolspring Power Museum June 2015 Part 1

Kirsten Ventures to CPM

Heading West

Hi! I learned a lot from Lanie and her fall trip to Coolspring...so I am taking over for the rest of the week and getting my adventures posted in the same month as my trip. :-D

We got up early, but didn't rush. It was a nice day. Partly sunny...until we hit the Lehigh Tunnel and I-80 west. Then it was partly cloudy and rain started falling the closer we drove to Brookville and Coolspring.  It was so rainy I spent a lot of time in the truck.

North and Out of the Truck

After breakfast on the second day we headed north to St. Mary's and the Bucksgahuda and Western Railroad! I was so excited I would get to see the B&W and hoped the rain would stop so I could explore. (Yes, it rained so much I spent the first two days of the trip reading in the truck. Although, I'd take reading over cleaning away cobwebs any day.) It took a little over an hour to get from Coolspring to St. Mary's. When we arrived, the sun was out! Yippee!

It was hot and humid and icky, but it was NOT raining. As soon as Xyra had visited a bit she came to get me. I burst from the truck...

And headed for the sandbox. The earth mover was there just as Kaya said it would be.

After sitting still for so long I didn't want to stay there, so I checked out the turntable. 

This helps the train crews turn the engines, getting them in and out of the engine house, and headed in the right direction on the tracks.

Then we started down the hill. The switches on this section of the track are a bit different than others I have seen.

When the switch is thrown the points on the rail shift so the train can move on a different section of track. Do you see the points?

We hiked down the foot path and found a line of dump cars. They are tilted this way to keep rainwater from pooling inside and causing damage.

These rocks called to me to climb them.

On top was a tiny snail. i could have stepped on it.

It's really blurry, but can you make out the little critter. 

I didn't want to bother it so I got down and climbed a different section.

Soon we discovered the bridge. 

This was rebuilt recently. A lot of work went into it.

I checked it out from the bank too.

This railroad is surrounded with beautiful scenery and forest. We didn't see any big animals, but Xyra said her friends mentioned seeing bear and deer and even elk.

As we hiked along further we got to a spot on the hill where you could see the bridge. We were way over there just a few minutes ago.

Back at the engine house I looked back to the opening of the foot path where we started our hike.

It was fun exploring the rails and stretching my legs!

Back at Coolspring Power Museum

When we returned to Coolspring the sun was still out and I could explore there too. Especially the section where Xyra and Franz were working. It's called Sudlow Station. 

Today Xyra was cleaning the windows. I thought I'd help.

It was not a bad chore. I kept laughing at Xyra - she kept talking to the spiders. Especially outside.

We found a tiny, fuzzy caterpillar on the door jam.

It was getting darker inside so Xyra turned on the lights. These are called gas lights. 

Gas flows through the pipes to where holes are drilled. When you light the gas you get these controlled flames. 

After washing the windows and doors it was time to rest. I think this is my new favorite chair.

Whew! What a day? I had fun. Would you have enjoyed this day? Which photo or part was your favorite?

More tomorrow! 

Stop again soon.  Have a nice day!

OG Riding Habit Revisited

Boot Issues

For all the Doll Moms/Humans

The other week Kaya and I showed you the OG Riding Habit and Horse Care set that is part of Lily Anna's collection. There were some difficulties with the outfit. Those turned out to be tolerable if you can remain calm and patient.

Shortly after our return from vacation (thank you for your patience during our absence last week) it was time to change outfits. That's when the not so much fun started! These boots are TERRIBLE! I felt as if I was pulling Kaya's leg off and couldn't figure out how to get a spoon down inside to work as a shoe horn or boot jack. Even with them being unlaced I could barely get them to budge.

So I went for the scissors and very carefully extended the back slit another 1/4 or 1/2 inch. 

While these boots are cute and look very realistic, they will not be used again. Future rides will feature Josefina's riding boots or the lavender cowgirl boots or...well, just any other boots than these. 

If you should get the outfit set (because it is cute), I suggest you save yourself some frustration and just set the boots aside.  Or maybe they fit non-AG dolls better. Haley hasn't tried them on just yet. 

Best wishes,

In the Garden

Lanie has a Green Thumb

Just Planted

Back in May I started a few plants hoping they would grow for us. The seeds were easy to plant. Then I set them out to get sun and watered them.

Hopefully we will have basil, cilantro, parsley, and strawberries.

You can see the basil has started to push through with a tiny, green sprout. Yay!

It's always good to mark what you planted so you don't accidently forget what is where and pull it out while weeding. Starting your plants in individual pots helps with that too.

Checking In

Well, I'm pretty certain we won't be getting any strawberries.

But all the herbs have green shoots! Cool!

Time to Replant

The shoots are big enough I need to re-pot them. Herbs do well in container gardens, so Xyra helped me find one and prepare it with potting soil.

First the parsley.

Then the cilantro.

Now the basil.

Done! They look happy in their new home, but I have to water.

Do you have an herb garden? A vegetable garden? What is your favorite herb or vegetable? What do you think we can make with these herbs?

See you again soon!