Train Days

Story and photos by Glen Brosinky.

www.aspencrossing.com

A train without a caboose...unthinkable.  It’s like a car without doors, a boat without a propeller.  Yes, I come from an age of riding with the conductor in a train caboose, so whenever I see a train it brings back fond memories, but alas the train is never complete as the caboose is now gone.  A train caboose, a van, a crummy, really a mobile office……a whole variety of names for the conductor’s business car that traditionally rode on the tail-end of almost all freight trains.  No longer though – times and technology have changed.  Aspen Crossing has cabooses!  Whoohooo!  But, Aspen Crossing has so much more, especially on Father’s Day.  Not only do they have a tree farm, nursery, an incomparable train dining car, a petting zoo, a fishing pond, a campground, but they have trains galore.  On this special day, they have trains!  Lots of trains, all sizes!  And more, for everyone.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, this nostalgic note is about the sheer enjoyment of spending Father’s Day at Aspen Crossing, whether you bring your family for a couple hours or for the whole weekend as we do. What boys (and some girls I know) haven’t had affection for trains at some point?  For me, the affection for trains never left.

Last year, we camped at the Aspen Crossing RV campground on the Father’s Day weekend and had a whopper of a good time.  The campground was full, attesting to the popularity of the location just outside Calgary, although we spent little time actually camping since there is so much more to take in throughout the property.  Accordingly, Aspen Crossing’s theme for Father’s Day is always…..trains….railway (railroad in US parlance).  On Father’s Day, the great staff at Aspen Crossing make a special effort, with miniature train rides including all the bells, whistles and noises in their parking lot. Large garden-scale (G-Scale) model trains that run, toot, ring, and just plain amaze the kids, not to mention the kids within us adults.
Each year, their displays and activities grow.

Aspen Crossing also presents a  humdinger of a breakfast
honoring Dads  that is cooked from scratch by staff and volunteers, an incredible brunch in the dining car (reservations are necessary or you’ll be on the outside, looking in….wishing!)  But don’t forget Mom….there is an incredible greenhouse full of flowers too. Back in the campground, there are authentic cabooses (is the plural cabeese?) to see and touch, and other railway rolling stock….it’s impossible to not be amazed. Remember, that the cabooses are reservable for overnight
accommodation too as Jason has finished them inside and out to exceptional standards.  In the evening, there are fireworks.

In our family, Father’s Day at Aspen Crossing has now become tradition, with our boys and friends also joining us.  The real enjoyment of being here comes from watching the kids eye’s absolutely light up at all the train action,…..riding them or watching them operate in one of the greenhouses.  I wish I could show you the photos I took just last year, of the totally enthralled children running alongside the scale models, or just watching the model trains go by,….again and again.  Absolutely priceless!   What a hearty and memorable weekend for everyone.  Do yourself and your family a favor…spend Father’s Day with us at Aspen Crossing….see you there.

For more information about Train Days visit www.aspencrossing.com.