Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Staycation

Recently I took a week off from my current round of physical therapy for a leisurely week of travel with Hubby. Somehow plans morphed into a busy week of meetings and impromptu gatherings, all enjoyable, but not resembling travel.

We did make one 18-mile jaunt to fulfill a desire I have had for awhile: a visit to the Model Train Museum in Gulfport, Mississippi.

A busy day at the museum

We forgot that local schools were out for the week after Easter. Kids from toddlers to teens were exploring the museum's indoor and outdoor exhibits with parents. 

Entry was through the modest building that had housed the museum in its early years. It was packed with people. They were moving around the extensive layout of model trains. The trains were in continuous motion. 

One of numerous model train displays

It was worth the visit but what captivated me just as much were amazing Lego displays on shelves against the walls. 

The pathway was narrow between the trains and the Legos. Definitely not rollater friendly. Hubby took my rollater back to our van. I wound up trapped for a while beside two young Lego fans of about 8 and 11 years old. 

The situation was a perfect opportunity for people watching. Those boys were totally engrossed in evaluating the objects of their enthusiasm and documenting their favorite Lego constructions with identical kid friendly cameras.

They were charming and sparked a bit of nostalgia for when our two oldest grandsons were into Legos.   

The museum had expanded to cover most of an entire block. It included outdoor exhibits, a train ride and several more buildings packed with displays of model trains as well as photos and memorabilia of Gulfport's railroad history. 

There was even a toddler area with train engine riding toys kids could sit on and push around the tracks. A couple of two-year-old boys were making their trains go, go, go under their parents' watchful eyes.  

The Lego creations from Star Wars battleships to the Taj Mahal shared display space with the model train exhibits throughout. 

I appreciated that Hubby willingly took pictures for me. I was disappointed, though, that I didn't even think to ask him to get images of those fantastic Legos.

After the third exhibit hall, I had depleted my energy. We spotted an exit, and I waited inside while Hubby made the trek to move our van closer to the exit.

While I waited I watched a lady nearby manipulating pieces of cardboard and chatting with four guys standing around her work space. They offered me a chair. What a relief! 

Of course I had to find out who they were and what they were doing. They were volunteers in the initial stage of starting construction of a new display. Evidently enthusiastic volunteers and visitors' donations keep the trains running.

And now the museum will soon be expanding operations even more to an additional building across the street.

Glad we went. It was a fascinating experience. 

Fascinating and exhausting.


-30- 



14 comments:

  1. That sounds and looks interesting . My hubby was a huge model railroad fan and also had his own layout in our basement.

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    1. My family didn't have a basement, so my brother's model train layout was on a sheet of heavy plywood that he kept under his bed. He would slide it out to play with.

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  2. I am glad you got to go...I would have really enjoyed the legos, too. There is a real train museum I would have loved to go to but Roger never showed any interest. Now it is too late.

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    1. I have felt that way, too, about some things. But thank goodness I can enjoy things through the posts of blogging friends who visit and post about places I can no longer navigate well, or who create beautiful crafted items that I dreamed of making even before my stroke but never actually developed the necessary skills.

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  3. I thought this one photo was an actual highway, with cars on it. It is so lifelike! This would have been so much fun, but too bad you were there when it was so crowded.

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    1. I was amazed at that too. My grandkids are nearly grown now and have never exhibited an interest in model trains. I may just borrow a friend's grandson who is a train fan so I can have an excuse to go again!

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  4. It is nice to read that children were interested in trains also as they are old fashioned tech. Lego toys never go out of fashion and children of all ages love them.

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    1. When I was writing the model train post, I grubbed around in my brain for just the right description for the museum's exhibits. "Old-fashioned tech" is perfect! If I do another post on the model trains, I won't be able to resist stealing your on-the-money phrase!

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  5. this reminds me of the circusl museum in Ringling. it has trains like this one and acres of tiny moving parts

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    1. Actually, I thought of your posts about the Ringling museum when I was putting my post together. Those memories encouraged me as I worked on my post.

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  6. Ooh, I have a brother who would love this place. That display looked so real. The crowds didn't sound like fun but good they were so kind to you.

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    1. It was a rainy day but everyone, adults and kids, seemed happy to be out and gracious to each other in spite of crowded conditions. Thanks for visiting and commenting.

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  7. Oh, I am so happy you could get out and do a different type of "physical Therapy".
    The museum sounds fascinating and seems like there is something for everybody.
    It makes me so happy that you are back in Blogdom.
    Thanks for your kind comments on my blog.
    I treasure our friendship.
    Sue

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    1. Thanks Sue. Your posts have been an inspiration!

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