Skunk Train

Today we rode the Skunk Train. Since we were camping at a nearby campground, we had to get up early, eat breakfast, get our camp cleaned up and closed up for the day, and head into Fort Bragg to catch the train. This was the kids' second trip on the train, but it was our first trip with the steam engine (as opposed to the diesel engine or the motorcars). They loved it just as much this time as they did last time. The difference between this time and last is that this time we went in the summer and were able to spend much more of the trip in the open-air car rather than inside the train.
The trip takes about 4 1/2 hours from start to finish. This includes a 45 minute lunch and refilling stop at Northspur Station (the turn around point) as well as stops along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. When I say pick up and drop off passengers, I don't mean at regular train stations like you might be thinking. I'm talking about these little platforms right along the track. This one is actually quite fancy. Most of them are nothing more than a small wood 'deck' in a dirt clearing.

These stops are designated for people who come out to the middle of nowhere to spend time in rustic cabins (no heat or electricity) that were build hundreds of years ago by the loggers and railroad workers who owned the land. We learned on this trip, that when the cabins were given to the railroad employees with the condition that they were to remain in the family and could not be sold or rented out. It was really neat to see people getting off the train with all of their gear and heading to these cabins. Other train riders include large groups of boy scouts headed to or from Camp Noyo or inner-city kids headed to the Boys and Girls Club camp. On our way back to Fort Bragg we stooped to pick up 140 scouts and their gear. Talk about crowded!

Many of the cabins are along creeks and it's not uncommon to see the cabin goers floating down the stream in inner tubes or kayaks or other fun flotation devices. Other cabin goers stop whatever activities they are in the midst of when the train goes by, and wave to all of the passengers. There's a real sense of community out there, even in the absolute middle of nowhere!

Northspur Station is the turn-around point for the train. Here you can purchase lunch, beer, ice cream and other random trinkets while the train turns around and refills the water tanks.

Even though you spend the day sitting (or standing), for some reason it takes a lot out of you. Chalk it up to fresh air or the relaxation that is brought about by the rhythmic rocking of the railroad, but you get off the train feeling exhausted!

I've taken this trip five times now and would do it 100 more. It's a beautiful trip through untouched, undisturbed natural beauty and I highly recommend it!