Where Do Writers Find Inspiration?

Many, many places. Travel, of course, is a wonderful and fun way to broaden the mind. My husband and I did just that this past weekend, by way of a dinner train ride with our Civil War re-enactor friends.

“All aboard!”

The unsuspecting public arrives. Really, they have no idea what they've gotten themselves into. Meanwhile, the re-enactors rub their hands together in eager anticipation.

So there we were, embarking on a merry trip from Columbia, Missouri to Centralia. Everything seemed to indicate we'd have a quiet, relaxing dinner. Many of us would no doubt spend the rest of the journey contemplating the Missouri countryside through our eyelids. Word that Jesse James and his gang loomed at large in the area seemed not to matter. Riding with us was a troop of of Union officers on furlough. They assured us our trip would prove uneventful, and we believed them.

(I think Jesse has a premonition we're headed for trouble. For once, he kept it to himself.)

Shortly after the first course, our train screeched to a sudden halt—we were lurched in our seats! It was only herd of cattle that had chanced to wander across the tracks, we thought. Surely, the train would resume in no time. Next thing we know, this band of outlaws bursts through the kitchencar doors, firing guns and threatening to execute the unarmed Union officers. We ladies screamed, and the gentlemen quaked in their boots.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the hold up because--well, we were being held up! The ruffians marched any Union sympathizing passengers to the rear of the train, declaring they would put the wretches on that train to the next world.

(A resourceful cameraman captured the event on film! View the video here)

We had no clue what took place back there. In the meantime, our captors told us if we sang a chorus of Dixie, they would spare us, and consider sparing the poor men on furlough. Desperate for our lives and those of our fellow passengers, we belted out a lively rendition. This pleased the villains, and they contented themselves with our money. Not long after, the soldier passengers rejoined us, and the waitresses brought out the main entrées, as though nothing out of the ordinary had transpired. Musicians entertained us, and we soon forgot our harrowing experience.

We arrived in Centralia unscathed, and decided we'd do it all again next year.

We ladies have to stick together! Kathy and I were the only dressed out ladies on this train, but that's because those re-enactor men really wouldn't have been able to handle any more. We decided to go easy on 'em. ;-)

Ol' Jesse will take any and every opportunity to charm the ladies!

My handsome hubby takes me on such wonderfully romantic dates!

#writing #video #photo #travel