For something fun and different to do, we went to the Washington State History Museum for the 19th Annual model train festival and it was fun!

Isabel says, “Choo-Choo!” at the Model Train Festival at the Washington State History Museum.

Live Steamers presented by the Kitsap Live Steamers group.

These 7 1/2 inch gauge railroad cars are steam powered.

The group provides rides in Port Orchard from April to October.

All the gauges and gears inside make the engine run just like the big ones!
Thank you so much to this group of enthusiasts for sharing with us, it was wonderful to learn about your trains and to talk with them.

On the third floor the Pierce County Lionel group shared this articulated steam engine.
Very cool to watch.

On the fourth floor we met the Mount Rainier N-scale club. This group had the largest detailed display.

N-scale trains range from 1:148 to 1:160. In all cases the gauge is 9 mm.
These are the tiny trains.

One end of their display had these bridges and tunnels with trains looping through.
So fun to watch!

Around the corner from the bridges and tunnels was this cool army base.

I got a kick out of the detail with all the training and movement on the base.

The train coming around the corner was operated by a boy who was Isabel’s age.

What I really enjoyed was the fact that Isabel went up to this boy and started talking to him and asking him questions about his train. She never would have done that a few months ago! She’s really coming out of her shell with talking to strangers. She followed him around for awhile, while we finished looking at the display.

This feed barn, I really enjoyed because it reminded me of the town I was born in and
the feed mill my great parents owned.

The last group we saw (and we spent the most time with) was the Boeing Employees Model Train Club, such nice and friendly gentleman.

They didn’t have much movement on their tracks (only 2 trains were going around)
but they enjoyed what they did.

Tonight we headed to Zoolights at P.D. Zoo and Aquarium.

We picked the perfect night (no rain) to go and the perfect time to go! We arrived right after the gates opened at 5 p.m. and we were through the lights in an hour.

Looking down the hill from the gate area.
(click on the photo to see a large image)

A bit dark but… at the Seahawks tree and the 12th man.

The red wolf enclosure.

Along the trail as we walk.

The zoo has changed over to all LED lights and the colors are so much more vibrant and pretty!

Tacoma Narrows bridges.
The left side are the “cars” coming over the bridge and the right side are the “cars” heading over the bridge. Awesome!

Isabel and I at the purple tree.
Isabel’s favorite spot.

Not very cold but our faces were getting chilly by the time we headed back toward the gate. Next year need to remember a scarf and maybe some gloves, if you don’t keep your hands in your pockets.

Mount Rainier.
Gino commented that it was better looking with more detail than in years past.

Looking toward the aquarium house and the large octopus on top of the building
and polar bears on the lake.

Looking up the hill toward the gate area at the top.

Gino and Isabel at Zoolights 2014.