Saturday, February 11, 2012

Total Trax

Today we (Randy and I) rode the Trax train for our Saturday entertainment. We started at 5200 South and rode to the end of the line at Herriman and Day Break. Then back to the other end in Salt Lake at the Intermodal Hub. Then out to the end in West Valley. Then back to 5200 South. The only leg we didn't do was to the University of Utah. And the leg to the airport isn't finished yet. Here are some pictures.

A bus waiting at the Murray Central Trax station. 



The end of the line in Day Break has just a hospital and a 7-Eleven. Oh, thank heaven for the 7-Eleven. This is looking into the windows of the hospital. Which prompted the security guard to come out and ask what we were doing. She decided we were okay taking pictures as long as we didn't go inside. Then she invited us inside to try the Beans and Brews cafe. We said, "Thanks," and left. 



The Trax train waiting for passengers at Day Break. 



If the pole were longer, the train would have more rules. 



Oh, it does have more rules. 



Even rhyming rules. 



And more rules. 



And if you forget a rule, you can call the driver for a reminder. 



This is the driver. He may be a tad askew, but I think he's awake. 



The doors don't open automatically at stops. You have to press this button to get on or get off. 



And be sure to look both ways. People forget that trains come from both directions. 



We got off at the Gardner Historic stop in Midvale. This is the West Jordan Pioneer Chapel next to a cemetery next to the stop. 



This is someone's daughter. 



If you get off at the Murray Central station, and walk over the Cottonwood Street-300 West bridge, you can see some wonderful equipment, like this Pepsi motorcycle. 



And a bunch of trucks and heavy equipment. 



They're all below this beautiful Murray landmark. 



You shouldn't cross the road to take this picture from the bridge. And if you climb up on the cement barrier and stand next to a light pole and wait for a train to come down the track, a UTA Policeman might drive by, make a U-turn, stop, and tell you to get off, even though he can see you're only taking pictures, because every Trax driver will call him to tell him someone is about to jump in front of the train. 



Several of the stops display artwork. 



This one has glass faces set in steel. 



The train stops at the Intermodal Hub in Salt Lake. This is where you can transfer to Front Runner, which goes to Odgen (for an additional $9.50 round trip). Much of the tracks are also in place for Front Runner to go south to Provo. 



The Hub has several of these suitcases in stone. 



I don't know where this Union Pacific 2002 Winter Olympics train engine normally lives, but right now it's in Salt Lake for the 10th anniversary of the Salt Lake Winter Olympics Games. 



Maybe you can't tell, but I am hovering and levitating in this lane. 



We ate lunch at Tony Caputo's at about 265 West 300 South. For dessert we had a vanilla waffle with whipped cream at Bruges on the sidewalk in front of Caputo's. 



These pigs are in front of the old Firestone tire warehouse, now a restaurant and condos, on the corner of 300 South and 200 West. 



We saw this guy near the Rio Grande train station. Later he was replacing the wheels on his chair on the Trax platform at 2100 South. He asked Randy to lift the 400-pound chair while he moved a couple of 2x4 pieces so he could work on the other side. He said he drives this thing 1,000 miles a year. He appears homeless (he carries a Help A Vet donation box) and apparently recharges his chair at the Trax stations. He has three sons, who are studying business and masters of business and something else at the U and in Provo. He said. 



I think the Rio Grande Hotel is currently serving as low-income housing. 



The new City Creek Center isn't finished yet, but some parts are open, including Deseret Book and this plaza. 



Every single person who comes through here has to stick his or her finger in these fountain bubbles. 



These chairs sit inside a yet-to-be-occupied building waiting for their tenants. 



The day's over. It's time to fly home. These are part of the Trax station artwork at a stop on the way to Day Break (with a little help from Photoshop—these "people" are actually mounted on poles). 



Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Tanner's Birthday

Number Six
Tuesday, February 7, was Tanner's number six birthday. We celebrated at Carl's Jr in Centerville.

This is a gnarly red pirate cake, aaargghhh. It is not a pink princess cupcake. 



This present is awesome, dude! Do you know all this stuff glows in the dark?



Yes, ma'am, we would like chicken nuggets, please, if that doesn't inconvenience you too much. 



Annie and Wells were born one day apart two years ago in January. Misa and Wells came for Misa's grandmother's funeral. We got to see them the day after Tanner's birthday (and at the viewing on Monday).