Groundspeak Portal

OK, I have a new fun one for this thread.  Fun for me.

I was reviewing a locomotive in the loco cat and this particular engine was similar to another I had posted a waymark for in Roseburg Oregon. I have some personal family history related to this locomotive so I like it for that reason already but it is one of only ten of that particular style in existence so it is eve a bit more special in my mind based on that.  So since it was similar I thought I would do a quick check to see if it was from that same particular group of engines. This led me to Google the engine number and rail line and included in the results that were returned was a site that had stolen my photo for a blog post. I posted about that elsewhere so won't rehash the plagiarism aspect here.

The blog entry  was about a Buster Keaton movie. It's most famous shot featured a steam engine numbered 1229  just like the one I had posted here. So I looked about and low and behold I verified that it was the same engine. Of course it has had some changes in the last 89 years when the movie was shot but the bolt patterns on the front of the boiler match on my high resolution photos and the number plate is exact.

I was able to find the film at the Internet Archive and there was also a clip of the particular scene already on YouTube. So I thought I would try a film location waymark. Now the film was shot in California but the location of this shot featured the front of the engine that is now in Oregon so I was unsure how high it would fly but it was returned approved and is my new current favorite....and to think I would have never known except for a stolen photo.

Waymark: SP Locomotive #1229, "The Goat"

My favorite waymark accomplishment is an OK Historical Marker titled The Edmond Right-of-Way Graves WM7FBG. You see, this is a marker that mostly unknown to the general public. I had heard about it, along with the story of the two men who shot each other and were buried by the railroad tracks, but needed help finding the actual marker. Fortunately for me, I was friends with the local historian who helped get the marker placed. I called him up, explained my situation, and he was very happy to help. He warned me that it would be very dangerous, don't bring the kids, and to please do not get run over by the train. I realized later that he wasn't joking. . My husband and I parked at the most logical place and headed along the railroad tracks to try and find the marker. Very soon after we started we realized that because of the terrain along the side of the tracks, if we heard a train coming, we'd be in big trouble. In some placed there is no where to go except almost straight down! My stomach was in a knot the entire time we walked and searched for the marker. Just as we were about to give up and head back home, I found it. What a treasure it was!! I just about jumped for joy when I saw the two graves and the historical marker! We got the coordinates, took the pics, and headed back with smiles on our faces. That's when we heard the train whistle. OH NO!!! There was no way to make it back to flat ground before the train got to where we were, so we ran and tried to find the safest place to get out of the way and take shelter while the train sped by us only 15 feet away, which was a terrifying experience. That was definitely the scariest waymarking adventure we've ever had, but it was so worth it to find those graves.
Sadly, before I was able to report to my friend the condition of the marker (he asked me to let him know since no one ever goes there), he passed away.  I was so proud to have found that marker with the help of the local historian.

The Edmond Right-of-Way Graves WM7FBG


Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

I'm relatively new to Waymarking.... but the two that I like the most is having found the nightclub in Hamburg where the Beatles played their first gig...seems to be the quintessential WM for the Beatles category.  I also posted the statue of Copenhagen's Little Mermaid.... which makes me feel somehow permanently connected to Denmark now since it has become their national mascot...and the place most tourists feel compelled to visit.

Also cool....two World Heritage sites....one in Guadalajara that I just stumbled upon and almost missed seeing.

The one that I feel the best about is this one: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4P73_St_Josephs_Riverside_Cemetery

 as I believe it was the first ever cemetery Waymarked in Saskatchewan!!  There is nothing unusual or wonderful about the write-up, that's for sure.  Three of my good friends are buried here, two brothers and their mother.

I like the atmosphere here in Waymarking.com and the forums.  I don't get the feeling that I need to waymark only spectacular, worldly items.  I really enjoy getting out in the country and waymarking old schools, churches, cemeteries and the like.

Thanks for having me!

kjohn73:

  I don't get the feeling that I need to waymark only spectacular, worldly items. 

no, but the more of them you have the more tolerable a payphone posting is.....

like i told someone recently, yes that wasnt a great write up, no its not the best gallery, but we cant all be perfect all the time....

1. Balbir Singh Sodhi - Mesa, AZ, USA

Balbir Singh Sodhi's story has always been of great interest to me. When I started Waymarking, I could think of no other spot that I wanted to Waymark first. I also own a geocache at this location: Balbir Singh Sodhi


2. David D. Gowan - Deer Creek, AZ

I've also been really interested in the story of David Gowan. I made the hike to his resting place just a couple weeks befor I started waymarking. I aslo own a cache at his grave: Deer Creek And The Adventurous Life Of David Gowan


3. Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - Gilbert, AZ

This waymark, but more so the collection of waymarks I own in this park, is another source of pride. This is the coolest spot in Gilbert, AZ. I've spent hours and hours at this place for the last 10 years. From hanging out there when I was in High School to walking the trails after studying in the library while I was in college to doing all the geocaches in the park and now to placing all the waymarks in the park. If anyone visit's Gilbert, you got to come on down!