*** Riding Trax ***

Benjamin is totally excited about any sort of machinery, whether it be a backhoe, dump truck, airplane, helicopter or train. We have done things to let him experience them first-hand, like going to the Fire Department and getting a tour of the fire trucks.

Another adventure that Benjamin simply loves is riding the light rail in Salt Lake City, commonly known as Trax.


Although this photo of Benjamin and Mom waiting for Trax to come isn't from this particular trip of this story, it is one of my favorite. Mom loves Benjamin completely and he loves her back as much. She is a great mom and it is a joy to watch her be so great.

"Is the train coming?"

Oh, there it is. Benjamin always waves to the conductor when the train arrives. Unfortunately, I missed it by a half second when I was framing the shot.

This is the interior of the Union Pacific Depot in downtown Salt Lake City. We always walk through it on our way to the Gateway to listen to the "Jazz on the Plaza" concerts. This is a really impressive room. The murals on the top of the north and south end depict the historic events. One of the driving of the final spike when the transcontinental railroad met and the other when the first settlers came to the Salt Lake Valley. On the west wall are stained glass windows that also depict historical events.

I was simply amazed at the tile floor; I can't imagine how long it took for someone to lay all this tile across it, each tile is one square inch.

While we were sitting on the grass listening to jazz, a Ferrari parked only a few feet from us...yes, "A REAL Ferrari...Punch Me!" (A quote from Cars, one of Benjamin's all time favorite movies.)

Of course, you can't help but clap along and in Benjamin's case, dance along with the music. This is one of his favorite things for us to do. We usually bring a picnic basket and eat while we listen.

By time the Jazz concert is over, it is pretty late for Benjamin, 8:30 PM. We will change him into his PJs for the ride home. During the concert, he will run around, dance, clap and roll on the blanket. All that activity will wear him out.

The clickety-clack of the train puts Benjamin into a somber mood. He is tired, but happy for the events of the evening, especially riding Trax. After we get off the train and into the car, he will usually be asleep by time we get home. He will dream of trains, dancing, music and Ferraris.