Imagining Riding to Write

Dreaming of a train adventure.

Since childhood, I've been enamored by trains. My dad had an immense train collection when I was a little girl. He built the track on plywood. It had hills and tunnels, trees and buildings. The terrain was dotted with people and various farm animals. It was quite a detailed landscape created especially for Dad's HO-scale trains. He would set up the plywood countryside on his ping pong table. I could barely see over the table, so I had to kneel on a chair to watch the trains. I can still see Dad manning the controls. I can still hear him barking, "Don't touch!"

Riding the subway in New York City also resides in my reservoir of memories. My grandmother and great grandfather lived in Manhattan, so I was introduced to the subway at an early age. I loved the breeze from a passing train. I loved standing and holding onto a pole, trying to keep my balance as the train stopped and started. I can still see Granny putting a token in the turnstile. I can still hear Mom barking, "Stay back! You'll fall onto the track and get squashed!"

As a young teenager, I loved to lay on the bow of my dad's friend's sailboat while drifting on the Hudson River. From the boat, we would watch the trains traveling into New York from a track that ran parallel to the river. I can still smell the murky Hudson River. I can still hear Dad barking, "Don't lean too far, you'll fall into the river!"

Holiday Trains with Poppy

As an adult, visiting my parents' house at Christmas included sitting amongst Dad's new trains. He started collecting a much bigger gauge as part of his empty nest adjustment strategy. The tracks wound around the formal living room. A smaller track encircled a Christmas tree. My boys relished their time on the couch not touching the controls as Poppy brought the magical train room to life.

It is no wonder trains hold such a special place in my heart. To combine my passion for writing and wanderlust gene with my love of trains would be a dream come true. That is why I had to apply for an #AmtrakResidency. Each day I open my email, I hope to find an acceptance notification for the program.

With a temporal lobe full of train anecdotes, a laptop sporting an addictive typewriter sounds app, and my long-weekend travel suitcase, I dream of being whisked away in a sleeper car. I fantasize about standing and holding onto a handrail, trying to keep my balance as the train stops and starts. I imagine gazing out the window and finding endless inspiration. I even have a conductor's hat just in case I am fortunate enough to be selected. And you never know, such an adventure might be just what I need to produce that coveted, all-American, best-selling novel.

Micki Bare, mother of three, wife, daughter & writer is the author of Thurston T. Turtle children's books. 

Email: mickibare (at) gmail.com

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