Garden Railways

Every June the Rose City Garden Railway Society has their annual tour of garden railways, and we wouldn't want to miss it!  Jasper spent a couple years completely train crazy, and that lead us to discover many great places to take train rides and see model trains.  This is one event we all still enjoy.  Garden railways are outdoor model railroads, and the best ones incorporate plants that help to enhance the illusion of a miniature world.  Club members open their homes to the public each year to share their creations.  The club publishes a booklet with complete maps and directions to each layout, which goes on sale at many gardening centers and hobby shops.  They are listed in a logical geographical order, but since we are more interested in some layouts than others, we prepare our own maps and directions ourselves in advance. Some club members have built almost everything themselves,  putting years of effort into making them just right. Every year, the best part is watching families arrive with little kids wide-eyed with amazement.