What a glorious morning. Now that the mercury in local thermostats has finally receeded from triple digits, Scottsdale residents are free to brave the outdoors again. No longer confined to air conditioned environs, we see neighbors for the first time in months. We've lived in our pools since May, but it's nice to be reacquainted with our front yards as well.
I can imagine no finer setting for attending "Railfair" at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in McCormick Ranch.
Making the mid-morning pilgrimage to our family's mecca of leisure, we met up with some friends. Just in town from Alberta for the week, they planned the trip to their vacation condo perfectly. My jaw nearly hit the floor upon learning they traded 30 degree temperatures for our upper 80s. Of course, that was music to my ears.
Thus beginith the great seasonal migration of 2008-2009
The park was awash in model train enthusiasts, inflatable apparati for the kids and all manner of fun. The train schedules were ramped up to allow for nearly continuous departures. In short, it was the Railroad Park on HGH. Given the tenor of the week's financial and political news, it was a more than welcome reprieve. Credit market freezes and rate indeces do not exist at Railfair.
If you are looking for something to do with the kids in Scottsdale this weekend, and this post finds you in time, you have one more crack at attending Railfair. It runs tomorrow (Sunday, October 12th) from 10 AM - 5 PM. Tickets for the attractions are available on site ($2 train rides, $1 carousel rides ... children under three ride free).
Considering that the park often fills up quickly for special events, you might consider forgoing the parking lot, and parking across the street. There's a place called Starbucks there that serves coffee. You might have heard of it. If you haven't, forget I said anything. I'm reasonably sure they put cocaine in their products. Nothing else would explain my addiction.
This is but one pitstop along our Autumn lap around the Valley. Schnepf Farms is holding their annual Fall festival, the State Fair is in full swing and other seasonal events are popping up all over the place. If you aren't here, get here now!
For more information about the Railroad Park and Railfare, please visit:
http://www.therailroadpark.com
For more information regarding McCormick Ranch Real Estate, please visit me at McCormick Ranch Home. Start your search for your new Scottsdale home today!
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Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley AZ Real Estate. A Slaybaugh family tradition since 1974! We haven't sold every home in the Valley, but we're working on it!
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Paul- I enjoyed your photos, did you wife cut her hair? I like your new profile daddy photo too, very approachable and older looking than the other one. Glad you had a wonderful day, we are gearing up for our seasonal folks now too! Of course, we never get triple digits this close to the ocean.
Katerina - Older looking ... hmmm. Not sure what I think about that, but these two have certainly added more strands of grey to my hair than I would have thought possible in three short years. Thanks for checking in, and good luck with the imminent flood of seasonal visitors.
That is the way to spend a Saturday! You have such a beautiful family. Tell us, did you get to go in the bounce houses, too?
Hi Elaine :) I didn't fight my way into the bounce house. Those kids meant business, and I am the family's sole breadwinner. I did ride the choo-choo and the carousel, though. No elbows or atomic knee smashes were taking place in those attractions.
Paul - Great pics! It looks like the whole crew had a blast. I can't believe you didn't risk the bounce house, dude. That is the most fun of all.
Hey, why are those kids driving a choo-choo without seat belts on! (Sorry, I couldn't help but notice the "Health, Safety, Prevention" banner in the background of one of the photos!)
Looks like a fun day!
Paul...the best part of being a parent is getting to go into the bounce houses and having fun. I'm at the pumpkin patch tomorrow with the kids and it is a blast.
Great photos - adorable kiids - I miss those days when mine were young.......seeing the world through their eyes is such a joy...
Paul, what a terrific family outing and I loved all the happy family photos. What a cool place.
I heard this blog coming and stopped in my tracks to get over here... I do love anything trains, especially narrow-guage. The Railroad Park and Railfare looks like a ton of fun! And what adorable pics of your sweet family. A perfect Starbucks Saturday!
Looks like ton's of fun! Loved the pictures of your beautiful family having a blast. Are ya'lls fingers wrinkly from too much pool? KM
Sometimes that AZ heat can really get to ya!! Great list of photos, nice way to acknowledge your family in a way that they can appreciate. :-))
Paul, what a great family day! Lovely pictures of your wife and kids!
Paul, what a beautiful family you have! Your little one looks just like his daddy! This must have been a great time for all. Thanks for taking us with you! Great pics.
Later in the rain~Deb
Jason - Truth be told, bounce house rules were the only things keeping me from joining in that particular bit of fun. The organizers have no sense of humor about launching toddlers into orbit.
Jeannie - This train went of the tracks long ago. Might as well just ride it out at this point. You can't buckle up against insanity.
Melina - The pumpkin patch happens this week for us. This is my favorite time of year.
Liz - We are lucky to not only see the world through their eyes, but their bumps, bruises and abrasions as well. Nothing quite like living at full speed.
Gary - The Railroad Park is the bomb, no two ways about it.
Mara - Thanks for hopping aboard. It was a great day, and the park is always a tough act to follow. We've got our work cut out for us to keep them entertained for the next week. Fortunately there are many attractions right now, as standard fare just doesn't cut it after such an event.
Kristin - We have prune hands for sure.
Brad - That it can. Luckily, I have AR to kick around on such occasions.
Susan - Thank you. I do indeed have good looking subjects to photograph.
Deb - Thanks for reading. A good time was had by all, except maybe the kid running the bounce house. He looked a bit worse for wear.
Boy Paul, this looks like quite the fun times! I love the photos!
Paul, I love seeing you and your family out and enjoying the fun together. I married late in life and when we had children, my father told me that now...I never had to grow up! The funniest part is when I would show up at elementary school the teachers would always say "Your grand dad is here" and my children would burst into laughter!
PS You last comment on my Amy's post mentioned you attended TCU in Dallas...Thats cool, a bit of Texas in your background always helps build "character"!
Paul- I love trains! I took a 3 week trip across America a long time ago on Amtrak. What fun. I have also rode trains across Europe and the fast train is the best. At one point we reachedspeeds of 210 KPM! Sweet traveling! PLUS...my dad is a hobby train enthusiast, N and HO scale. I remember as a kid the thrill of getting to run the engines!
Great post and it looks like you had a super time. Glad to hear you are enjoying cooler temps!
Paul - LOL~ We're Always here for that too! :-))
Paul, looks like you and your family had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing your day with us. Great photos!
Great event / park. Your personal photos would make anyone go out and enjoy your local community.