August 3, Izaak Walton Inn

Many, many years ago I had read about an Inn in Essex, Montana that was built to accommodate railroad workers who were building the transcontinental railroad tracks. After completion of the tracks, and when the proposed entrance to Glacier Park at Essex did not materialize, the Inn suffered hard times. But today, thanks to a stop by the "Empire Builder", Amtrak's northwest-bound train between Chicago and Seattle, the Izaak Walton Inn is flourishing. After all those years of pining over this place, I was finally able to visit it. Bill and Jane graciously drove us about 30 miles down the road to let me experience this glimpse of a rail fan's dream.

Not only do about 30-40 trains pass by here a day, the owners have placed old cabooses around the property and up on the side of a mountain for overnight guests. The lodge itself is designed around railroad memorabilia and has old pictures, paintings and train objects everywhere. I was ecstatic! The blue engine in the picture above is actually a luxury suite for guests. We asked the desk clerk if we could see the inside of one of the cars, but they were all occupied. Too bad.

This view is from the hillside looking down on the tracks and lodge. You can see the colorful cabooses situated on the mountain.

As we enjoyed a cup of coffee and lunch in the cool, clear air out on the patio ---- my wish came true. A very long train came roaring by, whistle blowing and engineer waving. We all waved back. My next wish is to ride the Empire Builder train and wave to the people sitting on the porch of the Walton Inn.

Thank you Bill, Jane, Clarence, Sandy, Terry and Doug for a most enjoyable day and "turning my wish into a memory".