The Bis Key Chronicles

Suzy and I attended an auction and apparently won the house we bid on at auction.com. So we now have a three bedroom, two bath fixer upper on Ames Lake with half an acre of land. Here are some pics for those who’ve asked. Note, we got the house, if the holding bank approves the deal, for significantly less than the sale price on the ad below.

The school bus stops out front for Amber and Nick. There is a shed on the property and parking for two vehicles. We’ll be carpeting the place with new stuff and purchasing a 3 bedroom, whole house furniture package for around a grand.

The walkway in the front yard will be redone with fancy paving stones and gravel layed for the walkway to the house, and a little paint will be done on the skirting. We also have to fix the footings (jack up, straighten and replace cinderblock and shim to level).

More pics:

This is the front deck which has a partial view of Ames Lake that looks like this. The half acre is mostly old-growth trees and bushes with no grass to mow. Josie and the kids say they like the place. We hope to close by mid-April.

Here are some demographics based on this location:

Cheers.

I just found this way cool picture of my Dad at the Pacific Science Center Train show a couple of years ago. He is an avid Z Scale train modeler and collector with an extensive collection of vintage trains from the mid-west, most of those that passed through his home state of Kansas. His organization has gotten smaller and smaller as the years progressed but still the Northwest Pacific Z Scalers is the most active in the Northwest.

Tom sez, “Not everyone is interested in modules or has the desire to spend an entire train show running trains.  We have come up with an event that might encourage people to demonstrate their Z scale skills.  At most of our shows, we have set up an area called “BYOZ” or “Bring Your Own Z”. This area has standard 8’ tables to display and run “carry in” Z scale layouts. We supply the tables, power, and manage the area. Here’s how it works:

1) Bring your layout with you to the show…suitcase, pre-formed, custom, whatever…just limit the size to something you can carry into the show…up to 2’ x 4’ and be able to set on a table top.

2) We provide a space for you on a “first come, first run” basis. Come in anytime during the show and stay as long as you like.

3) We limit operations to 2 hours if there others waiting. Depending on how many people show up with layouts and trains, we could have a number of layouts running at a time (2 per 8’ table or even more with smaller layouts). If nobody is waiting to display, those already displaying can stay as long as they want.

4) We do ask you to stay and run your layout while on display. We have found that people are most interested when there are trains running and “little fingers” tend to only “attack” trains that are standing still!

5) Our club members have small layouts that will be on display and running when there is no one else showing.

6) We will provide stanchions and ropes to keep a little distance from the layouts. However, you will be responsible for your own layout and trains.  You don’t have to a member of the club to participate in the BYOZ…just show up!

So there you have it. If you would like more information ping Tom Gilchrist.