39 of 52: New Years at the Izaak Walton

On New Years Day, we headed up to the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, MT (population-223) for some outdoor fun! This unique alpine lodge was originally built in 1939 by the Great Northern Railroad to house the mountain winter snow removal crews. The old building and surrounding wilderness are bursting with history. Click here to read more about it.

For some of our friends, this is a yearly tradition to come here on New Years so we had lots of fun with friends and family...
It was so fun to spend the night. Grandma and Grandpa got one room and we had another. Our rooms were on the second floor looking out on the railroad tracks. We didn't get to see Amtrak come in that night as it was over 3 hours late!
Here is a slide show of some more pictures. I'm hidden in it somewhere for the 52 week challenge! ;)

When Amtrak whistles from a few miles away, all the people and employees go out on the back porch and bridge that goes over the tracks and wave. I've gotten to take part in this a few times in my life. I've also been on the train many time and have seen the wavers from the Inn. It sounds like a simple, maybe even silly thing, but in a place that has no televisions in the rooms, no cell phone coverage, and where everyone gathers around the sitting room fire place to enjoy the REAL old fashioned wood and smoke warmth of the fire to visit, it isn't silly. It's just seems like the right thing to do. And as the train going from Chicago to Seattle slows to a stop in Essex MT, the passengers know that this is a warm place, a very, very warm place.

And here are the kids waiting for the train on top of the bridge that goes over the tracks...

We are well into our New Year here! Enjoying -12 degree temps this morning but thankful for our own "old fashioned" fire and a beautiful bright sun outside! Makes a person feel warm inside, very very warm!

Have a wonderful, warm day wherever you are ((waving)),

Hosted by Forever In Blue Jeans

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!