Betty's List Departments

Signature Sponsors

Media Partners

Betty's List Columns

Your Ad could be here!

Click for Details

The Betty Blog

A Toast to Reno and the 45th Annual "Fun Train" . . . Or

December 26, 2007

Grandpa Jack Knight Was a Railroad Man . . . Or
A Toast to Reno and the 45th Annual Fun Train

Read about the Betty's List Fun Train to Reno . . .

YouTube: A Toast to Reno

Love trains. Always have. Grandpa Jack Knight worked on trains his whole life back in Mr. Bill Faulkner’s country. The pre-1900 house he built by the tracks right there in Taylor, Mississippi was home base for the clan of Brits Miss Louise sprang from.

Fast forward . . . 1995. Time was, during years 1 California, 2 California, 3 California, new friends taught me about the Iron Door Saloon and the old hotel in Groveland, on the way out to Yosemite. Taught me about the killer view from the old Dining Room at the Cliff House and the Camera Obscura and Laughing Sal at Musee Mechanique and how to spot surfers in the water any time of year.

Things like the Tennessee Valley Trail and the Indian princess looking up at the stars who gave her name to Mt Tam. About the food at Greens restaurant and gifts to buy at the annual Celebration of Craftswomen at Fort Mason. About nude sun-bathing at Baker Beach, off-trail hiking at Lands End and the buffalo herd in Golden Gate Park. There’s more.

Fast forward . . . 2003. Time was, I settled in to work at my desk in the back of a Victorian flat in the Castro and didn’t go out to explore so much, not anymore. But, this must change. Time for new adventures.

Fast forward . . . 2008. Five years passed. This must change. Time for new adventures and discovery. California trails and tales and the Sierra Nevada.

Matt told me about the “Fun Train” to Reno and 45th season of a rolling party, an adventure waiting for discovery. It leaves from Emoryville, Martinez . . . on toward Sacramento. I said “Okay!” and away . . . we are going there, by train, for the fun of it or the heck of it, to smile and laugh and dance in the aisle and maybe to see a show. It's goes through Donner Pass, the Fun Train does.

Enjoy the piano lounge car, the dance car's live band, the great dome sightseeing car . . . I have read all I could find about the dome cars on many a website.

What happens in Reno, stays in Reno? I read about the Fun Train in SF Chronicle and Mercury News, and an article about Reno published July 10, 1909 in The New York Times. I looked to see what the City of Reno says about itself, and compiled a list of attractions and sites there.

-   Nevada Museum of Art
-   The Reno Arch
-   Nevada Historical Society
-   River Walk along the Truckee River from Virginia Street to Arlington Avenue
-   Wingfield Park on an island reached by bridge, offering vantage points for viewing whitewater rapids and kayakers
-   Sierra Tap House bar
-   Bernie Beauchamp's marionettes
-   Antique stores
-   Fleischmann Planetarium
-   National Automobile Museum
-   Sierra Safari Zoo
-   Animal Ark Wildlife Refuge
-   Golf Courses & Clubs
-   Woody’s BBQ Sauce

I need to know more about the history of Reno and have found an overview of historic bars and one on Reno history per se and another one for travelers headed to Nevada.

It truly is time for new discovery. I did not know Grandpa Jack Knight and so have no idea what he would say about me going to Reno. I would surmise, though, he'd approve that I am going there and back by train. I may launch anew my love affair with trains. He'd probably approve, and maybe tip his hat. I hope so, anyhow.

Read about the Betty's List Fun Train to Reno . . .

(Photos: Nevada State Historic Preservation)