Emerging from the Snow

After a long winter, the old '51 Ford is emerging from its snow cover. I posted a photo in March titled "Heavy Load" and you can see that and a few other photos in the sidebar.The sun once again brings warmth and light and a promise of a new beginning. No one knows for sure what roads this pickup has traveled over the years or what sights it has seen. My husband hauled it home 5 or 6 years ago, and has been planning its makeover into a hot rod--a much different life than the working vehicle it surely was 50 years ago.It sits close to its brother that has been restored to beauty and has already been providing transportation this spring. Rusty doesn't mind, though, because he knows he is destined to become a one-of-a-kind pickup that will outshine Big Blue.

Both trucks are keeping watch on the new shop construction where they will spend next winter, Rusty in the mechanics shop, and Big Blue in the storage area with three other classic Fords. The shop building will also have a carpenter shop. It combines space for both of my husband's loves, old cars and carpentry. Even though there is still snow on the ground and mud all around the shop area, he is beginning the framing process. Last summer the slab went in, so now he is pushing ahead with construction at the earliest possible time.

Heavy Load

Buried in snow and sitting in the corner of our yard is this old '51 Ford pickup. Looking like it has been abandoned for years, Marty's project truck sits waiting for the new shop construction to be finished. Well, actually, I guess it has been living the life of a derelict for many years, but next winter it should be sitting inside the shop and the process begun to give it a new lease on life. Marty has been making plans for this restoration for several years now, and is looking forward to gettting started.

Collapsed Roof

Near the abandoned train is an old pulp mill. This was a huge building--the squares you see on the side are 8x10 sheets of plywood. It's now a huge salvage yard with lots of old machinery and huge metal parts. The heavy snows this winter caved the roof in. Many old barns and other buildings in the area suffered the same fate. In the back is Tumtum Mountain, which is a volcanic peak. It is in the vicinity of Mt. St. Helens

Derelict

On our rambles through the country near Woodland we visited an old pulp mill that has been turned into a salvage yard. Near it sits this old train, abandoned for who knows how many years. One wonders if this train or parts of it ever ran through the Union Station in Tacoma that we visited a few days later. It evokes a different time, and you can't help but ponder the hopes and dreams that it's riders had and where the train took them.

Union Station in Tacoma

Across the bridge is the old railroad station in Tacoma. It has been converted into a courthouse, but the lobby area is open to the public. It is a really beautiful building and the domed area inside is gorgeous.

They have several displays of Dale Chihuly's work inside the Station.

Marty was thinking of taking a journey with his new buddy, but alas, the trains no longer depart from the station. The world has moved on from when trains were the most luxurious way to travel across the country. Marty had to compromise with hopping the trolley line that runs through downtown Tacoma and seeing the sights with me. His buddy stayed frozen in time in front of the station, dreaming of times past.