Cyndy's Garden of Life

Colorado High Altitude Gardening, Cooking and Genealogy!

Lionel O Gauge Model Train Exhibit at Hudson Gardens

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My Favorite Section of the Exhibit

I love it when I attend an event where going into it I don’t have a real love for the subject matter and leave realizing all the fun I’ve missed over the years. This was the case yesterday when we went up to Littleton, Colorado to the Hudson Gardens and Event Center special exhibit of Lionel O-Gauge Model Trains! From the minute we walked in I was hooked. I knew this was going to be something different and something fun. Neither of us was disappointed!

We arrived just as the doors were opening. As this was our first (and now, definitely not our last) visit to Hudson Gardens we were pleased that the entire event was FREE! Wow – gardens just starting to pop a little AND a free exhibit. Life is good. We were directed to the Inn at Hudson Gardens where they have weddings and business meetings, etc. The entire center section of the room was set up with a very large oval train track and the models were almost ready to go.

Classic Model Train – Still Loved!

It was obvious, right from the beginning that the gentlemen that run this exhibit love what they do. The collection is very impressive. There were some very old trains, showing their age, but gracefully as well as some bright, shiny black ones that had steam coming out of the “stack”? What made this special was that these guys put a lot of time, effort and money into the buildings, the old trucks and the people working away on the toy tracks. I hadn’t seen anything like it since I was a kid.

Speaking of kids – to see the kiddo faces beaming at seeing the trains going round and round made me remember bringing Matthew to events like this when he was little. Lots of grandpas and their g-kids were sharing in this almost lost part of Americana. Little, little kids were smiling and laughing. 6-7 year old had huge, wide eyes. I loved their faces when they were allowed to hit but button for the “Woo-oo-Ooo”. It was a real treat to stand back from the crowd for a few minutes and just watch everyone having a good time. Did I mention that it was FREE????

Spring is definitely here and I hope you will keep your eyes open for similar local and near by events like this model train exhibit. It was a special treat for us. I can’t wait for our next adventure!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Fun For Everyone

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I’ll give this town credit for doing an excellent job on family parades. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade held yesterday was no exception! After a great time at the Mardi Gras Parade a few weeks ago, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to see how St. Pat’s would compare. I have good news to report! We had a blast! The costumes weren’t quite as wild, there was more green, great clowns, cool cars, beads and candy, youngsters and oldsters alike were smiles from ear to ear (including me!)

We got to the area where the floats set up, the people gather and the bands practice at about 11am. Floats were getting their proper amount of glitz; faces were getting painted and bagpipes were getting filled. Within 30 minutes the whole area came alive! I have to admit hearing the bagpipes and drums practice was my favorite. Men in kilts are very,very cool. Little kids were getting laden with beads to pass out later during the parade. The horses were decked out in shamrock pads, braided tails and glitter on their hind-quarters!

Two outstanding and absolutely gut busting floats had crazy music with dancing gorillas on one and dancing cows on the other! Kudos to all those brave souls in those, certainly hot, costumes. Different car clubs showed off old Fords, Mustangs and VWs!! The humane society marched with pooches up for adoption and you could hear the “awe” from all around. The Shriners were awesome on their bikes, miniature cars and clowns!

Gorillas Love To Parade

 

Kudos to our town for keeping the bar high on total family entertainment. Extra kudos to the police who were always patient and polite with crowd control which is a challenge with that many people.

Note to self: Glad I got the beads this time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let Me Entertain You

Not Everyone In A Costume Is In The Parade

Mardi Gras is Family Fun in Colorado

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Mardi Gras Mask Manitou Springs

We’re a long way from New Orleans here in Colorado but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to have a good time and keep it fun for the whole family! Every year the town of Manitou Springs, Colorado holds a Mardi Gras Parade suitable for the whole family to participate in or, enjoy on the sidelines. This was out first time at the parade and we weren’t disappointed! We strategically placed ourselves not on the parade route but rather closer to the action – where everyone gathers before the parade starts! This made for some great closeup pictures and just about the best people watching anyone could hope for.

There was face painting, great food and shopping! Little kids were laughing. Grown-up were smiling. It was a day for the young, old and everything in between. There was zero lewdness. There was zero trouble.

We were a bit sad that we couldn’t get close enough to the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo contest to test the local fare. The area was packed with people and I’m sure it was due to the amazing smells and tasty soups emminating from all the vendors that had been cooking since the very early morning. Note to self: Get there earlier next year!

Dancing in the Streets

I walked away without any beads or candy, but not disappointed. Mardi Gras in Manitou will become an annual event for us to watch people having fun and dressing crazy and sharing the silliness with all the local fans. Mark your calendars for next year to check out any local festivities for Mardi Gras in your area!

Tiny Fairy

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