Chris Guenzler reaches One Million Miles Traveled on Amtrak

Photos and Story by Carl Morrison Carl@TrainWeb.com

http://trainweb.org/carl/guenzleramtrakmillion

Comments welcomed at Carl@TrainWeb.com

April 7, 2008

PART II

Part I was about getting to Chris Guenzler's Amtrak Million Mile Celebration in LaPlata, MO, April 7, 2008. Part II is about the celebration which took place on the Amtrak Platform at the LaPlata Station, the Silver Rails Events Center in town, the City and immediate area Tour, and finally the Dinner at the Events Center.

Chris poses for the media next to the Southwest Chief, at LaPlata, MO, Amtrak Station. Jason and Ali, from California, took video, others took video, and I and others took digital images.
Ray Ivy, City Administrator, presented Chris a placque from the city.	The Southwest Chief prepares to pull out.

Chris waves goodbye to his Amtrak Millionth Mile Train.
As Ray Burns, President of TrainWeb.com, in La Plata, MO, congratulates Chris on his accomplishment and welcomes him to La Plata, the Southwest Chief pulls out for Chicago.

	The Southwest Chief leaves La Plata and passes the Chris Guenzler Lookout (above left in the picture), which was built on Silver Rails Resort property next to the BNSF tracks by Tom Marshall of the Depot Inn & Suites.
Everyone loaded up in the Depot Inn & Suites Van for a trip to the Silver Rails Events Center for further celebrating. Here, Chris steps off the van at the Events Center.	Chris, Carole, and Larry chat at the reception.

Poster of a coming attraction at the Event Center.	<> Dutch Myers, TrainWeb.com Rail Travelogue contributor, attended from Pennsylvania. <>His earlier travelogues are at: http://www.trainweb.com/travelogues/dutchmyers/ <>
Ali takes care of sound as Jason continues to video tape.	Ray Ivy, in his new Chris Guenzler Million Mile tee-shirt, gives Chris another plaque from the city.

Tom Marshall, owner of the Depot Inn & Suites, gives Chris a plaque as well.	You can tell from the smiles, all attendees and dignitaries were old friends.
Chris spoke to the attendees about this milestone.	Attendees including John Rhein (white hat) listeded to Chris' story.

Grant takes in the festivities.	Ray Burns, President of TrainWeb.com, talks about Chris' accomplishments and his writing for TrainWeb.com.
Chris with Shivam Surve, left, his wife and daughter.	Steve Grande, Mr. TrainWeb.com, and Carole Walker talk with Chris.

The bus took those who had arrived by train to the Depot Inn & Suites to check in to our rooms. Carole, Jonathan, and Chris Parker.	Tom Anderson and Chris Guenzler
The first 'Amish sighting' was this gentleman hauling 2 cans of gasoline.	Depot Inn Manager, Maria, hands Chris the key to his Suite.

Steve Grande was having the new Overlook TV camera adjusted this day. Now guest of the Depot Inn & Suites can watch trains passing through La Plata on a dedicated channel in their rooms!	View from the TV at the overlook, on the large TV in the Depot Inn & Suites Lobby.
My Suite's 4-poster bed.	Jacuzzi tub in the room.

	Fireplace and TV

After some time to get settled in our rooms, we gathered in the Lobby for a walk to the Red Rooster for lunch.	The last time I was here, it was in February, so it was nice to see the Depot Inn & Suites in the Spring sunshine again.
The last time I photographed this sign, it was 28 degrees.	The Amish had driven a buggy to the bank to make 'a deposit.'

The closest eatery to the Depot Inn & Suites.

After lunch, we reconvened in the Depot Inn & Suites lobby. Tom, Chris, and I went to the Display of Amtrak History in the Express Mail cars on the property.

A tour of La Plata and surrounding area was scheduled for the afternoon.

	Classic Filling Station in town.
Tom Marshall took us in his tour bus out to see a former railroad station west of town.

	Chris by the South Gifford, MO, RR station.
Inside the old station.


The oldest name I found on the wall.	They couldn't leave the light on for us.

An Amish barn and two buggies on the way back to La Plata.

	The tour ended at the Lookout.
We signed the walls inside the Lookout.	The new TV camera at the Lookout whose image is shown on the Depot Inn & Suites TVs.

Chris Parker finds the chairs in the Lookout fit fine.	Dutch from Pennsylvania.
Chris, by his named Lookout, waiting for a train. Scanner inside the Lookout announces approaching trains.	Lookout sign viewable by all passing trains and passengers.

We all signed the interior wall of the Lookout, but Jeff Hartmann added beautiful early 1800s train drawing above his signature.	Chris spots an eastbound BNSF container freight.
Trees east of the lookout have been cleared, so you can watch the trains travel farther east, under the highway bridge.

Looking west from the Lookout, you can see all the way to La Plata's Station.	Chris in front of the Lookout.
Catching a picture of two trailing locomotives.	Grant has some unique play equipment at the Depot Inn & Suites, the two express cars making up the Exhibition of Amtrak History.

The Depot Inn & Suites even has train-related play equipment. Beyond is the road to the Lookout.	Floor Plan of the Depot Inn & Suites, 4 Suites are at top of the diagram.
The Evening Reception for Chris' Million Miles of Amtrak travel was at the Silver Rails Resort, complete with a cake.	Steve and Barbara, Silver Rails Resort Events Center owners, poured the drinks.

Caterer and his staff. Catering by Nolands Catering nolandscatering.com nolandscatering@cvalley.net Macon, MO	Kelly Marshall was Traffic Control for the Buffet.
Excellent and bountiful food was enjoyed by all.	Silver Rails Resort Events Center has a railroad motiff.

Carole Walker and Chris enjoy the Prime Rib Buffet.	Jeff Hartmann and Chris Parker do their part as well. Chris needs no insructions in how to dispose of a prime rib dinner.
	Let the Buffet Begin!

	Peter Warner can handle a buffet with the best of them.
Train Travel Meetup, Fullerton, CA, members.	Steve Grande and Shivam Surve of TrainWeb/TrainParty.com

Right, Ray Burns, President of TrainWeb.com	Kelly and Tom Marshall, owners of the Depot Inn & Suites, La Plata, MO
	Mr. and Mrs. John Rhein

Donnie Sizemore, who remodeled the Silver Rails Events Center, attended with relatives (above and below).
	Chris chats with Ray Ivy and daughter, and Steve Grande.

Attendees at the Million Amtrak Miles Dinner

	Maria Snodgrass and husband attended Chris' Celebration
	The Silver Rails Resort Band

Jeff Hartmann, always practicing his drawing.	After dinner, it was time for celebratory cake.

Chris' plaque from the American Passenger Heritage Foundation was on display, a second one light it will be placed in the Lookout.	The Silver Rails Band gave a great concert/dance.
Let "Dancing with the Stars" begin.

My return trip to California from the Chris Guenzler Million Amtrak Miles Celebration did not invole a train ride, but was on Express Jet,

but if you have more time in Missouri, here's a great destination I know you will enjoy, in Branson, MO,

Another Great Destination in Missouri is Branson, and specifically the Shoji Tabuchi Show

Everyone who I know that has been to Branson, says we must see the Shoji Tabuchi Show. I usually say, "Who." However, I found that he DOES put on a terrific show in the 1966 seat theatre. There's more than violin playing, namely a 29-member cast of dancers and singers who put on a terrific show. Shoji is a talent the type of which is seldom seen in a live show in Branson, MO. He is humble and introduces every segment himself. He is appreciative of his hard working on-stage performers as well as all the 50 or so other members of the show who work backstage. The evening we attended the show, his daughter performed many excellent numbers and danced in every segment.

I guess you can tell that we loved the show and are great fans of Shoji now.

(Photo Credit: http://www.branson-shows.net/)

From his press release: When Roy Acuff, of the Grand Ole Opry, took his act to Japan, Shoji heard him perform, met him, talked with him and Roy invited Shoji to look him up, if he was ever in the neighborhood. Shoji, in time, would take him up on his offer.

There is a list comprising the 60 most influential Asian Americans and Shoji ranks number 29. He is in good company with the likes of Connie Chung, a TV journalistic pioneer, Roman Gabriel, former quarterback for the Rams, Daniel K. Inouye, War hero and United States Senator and Yo-Yo Ma, the high-brow icon of world class cellists. Others of familiar note on the list include Bruce Lee, the all-time benchmark of martial arts and George Takei of Star Trek fame.

When Roy Acuff, of the Grand Ole Opry, took his act to Japan, Shoji heard him perform, met him, talked with him and Roy invited Shoji to look him up, if he was ever in the neighborhood. Shoji, in time, would take him up on his offer.

There is a list comprising the 60 most influential Asian Americans and Shoji ranks number 29. He is in good company with the likes of Connie Chung, a TV journalistic pioneer, Roman Gabriel, former quarterback for the Rams, Daniel K. Inouye, War hero and United States Senator and Yo-Yo Ma, the high-brow icon of world class cellists. Others of familiar note on the list include Bruce Lee, the all-time benchmark of martial arts and George Takei of Star Trek fame.

Additionally, to satisfy the rail needs while the little lady shops, take a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway, a 40-mile roundtrip excursion through Ozark foothills and tunnels. My earlier story: Their site: http://www.bransontrain.com/

Complete biography: http://www.enotes.com/contemporary-musicians/tabuchi-shoji-biography

Additionally, to satisfy your rail needs while the little lady shops, take a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway, a 40-mile roundtrip excursion through Ozark foothills and tunnels.

Their site: http://www.bransontrain.com/

[ Top of this Page | Part I - Getting to the Celebration | TrainWeb.com | Carl's TrainWeb Travelogues ]