Monthly Archives: October 2016

Mid-Continent Railway Museum

[I visited in 2014 and these pictures are from that time. The same day I visited Mid-Continent Railway Museum I also visited Natural Bridge State Park and Dr. Evermore’s Forevertron.]

Wisconsin Historical sign at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Wisconsin Historical sign at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Our trip to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum actually started with breakfast at the Railroad Inn Cafe in North Freedom, WI. I only mention this because I wanted to warn you that if you go and order the pancakes they are larger then the plate so don’t order as many as you would if they were a more normal size. The railroad theme and decorations were also a great primer for the museum.

A crossing tower. Someone would be in there watching traffic and trains to know when to drop the gate across the road to keep traffic from crossing the tracks.

A crossing tower. Someone would be in there watching traffic and trains to know when to drop the gate across the road to keep traffic from crossing the tracks.

It was a gorgeous day and there was a surprising amount to see. If you are at all interested in train cars I highly recommend making the trip to North Freedom. You can even ride on a train (7 miles round trip) down a restored rail line.

Lots of history at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Lots of history at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum

A highlight for me was the restored Pullman “fish car”. This car was used by the DNR to restock fish in lakes and streams. It has fish tanks in it. Although we couldn’t actually go inside of it we were able to look through windows. The idea of a train car full of fish makes me smile.

Changing direction at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Changing direction at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

The museum has a very informative website. There is also a Wikipedia page about the museum.

North Freedom Depot at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

North Freedom Depot at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Natural Bridge State Park

[I visited in 2014 and these pictures are from that time.]

The arch at Natural Bridge State Park

The arch at Natural Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge State park is a small park between Sauk City and Baraboo. It is home to Wisconsin’s largest natural arch. I stopped there to take the short hike to see the arch and find a geocache.  Archeologists have found proof of humans being here thousands of years ago. If you are in the area it is worth a stop and short hike.

Vandalism at the Natural Bridge State Park arch.

Vandalism at the Natural Bridge State Park arch.

You can find out more at the DNR and Wikipedia.

My First Montana Rodeo

Sadie and I were able to attend the opening night of the Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) Finals at the Butte Civic Center on October 6th. It was my first rodeo! (It was also two for one admission night which is always a plus.) There were cowboy hats, cowboy boots, a rodeo clown and even a proposal in the crowd (she said yes). The lighting wasn’t working for my camera. My pictures are quite dark so I am only going to add a few of them. Click for a link to a YouTube video of a bull ride (not taken by me but we were only a few rows up from this vantage point).

Cowgirl making a turn while participating in barrel racing.

Cowgirl making a turn while participating in barrel racing.

There were men’s and women’s divisions. A few events even had a junior division. Events included bareback riding, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, tie down roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, roping and the main event: bull riding! I liked the steer wrestling. A steer would be let loose and a little later the cowboy would chase on his horse, jump off while grabbing the cow and wrestle it down. I looked it up and the animals are around 500 lbs.

A contestant returns to his horse after completing a tie down roping rodeo challenge.

A contestant returns to his horse after completing a tie down roping rodeo challenge.

Bull riding was my other favorite event. Nobody was seriously hurt on the night I was there but there were a few close calls. I think this will be a sport I will watch and not ever try. Some of the contestants were college students from around Montana.

The prize for the best bull rider

The prize for the best bull rider

I also wanted to share some of the bronco and bull names because they are a lot of fun. Some of my favorite bronco names are Joe Dirt, Triple Respect (there was also a Double Respect), Fun Hater, Lights Out, Slim Shady, Deal or No Deal and Beaver Milk. My favorite bull names were Fender Bender, Olaf and Nut Cracker.

 

A cowboy hanging on to the bull at the Northern Rodeo Association finals.

A cowboy hanging on to the bull at the Northern Rodeo Association finals.

I would definitely go to another rodeo. I would like to see one outside in the summer. That sounds like a nice evening out.