Art camp third week, had a new wrinkle

Thanks to a railroad ticket for the

 "Operation Life Saver" ride to West Water last Saturday, June 13, the idea to ask about having 30 art camp

 students take the ride turned into a very enjoyable event. With parents persmissions and drivers available to travel to the Grand Junction Train Depot, it happened, a chance to ride the train.

This trip is available for a short time each year in many cities around the States, usually once a year. With trips to Delta, Westwater, Glenwood and DeBeque, the passengers learned some interesting facts

 before their trip began.

Some of these facts included;

Never put coins , cans or other item on the train track because, unlike a car with rubber tiles, the train wheels are steel, touching the steel rail with about a dime's width of contact. When this steel wheel meets the rail, coins, nails, cans can actually become projectiles hurdling into something. One has only to inspect an overpass such as the one located at Clifton to see coins, and other miscellaneous items embedded in the cement structure on that overpass.

One sad fact related was that someone actually shot at the engine's windshield. Thanks to double pane glass, one of the bullets lodged between panes. In the next train, the engineers ducked low and laid on the whistle. That train also had bullet holes in the en

gine sides. Too bad such actions even take place. This also happened near the Clifton overpass.

When approaching a railroad crossiing, open your car windows a bit so you can hear the whistle oif a train is approaching.

People talking on cell phones, or engrossed in loud music have been killed because they were not even aware a train was approaching.

When the signal light is flashing, even though the gates are not down, you may not cross the tracks. A train traveling at 60mph cannot stop for nearly a mile.

In Colorado, fishermen, snomobilers, hikers, joggers sometimes use railroad bridges as their means of crossing. This is a big no, no. There is no room for anything but a train on those crossing.

Don't throw things at an approaching train because the train surface simply hits the projectile and throws it back at fast speeds.

Don't play on tracks, feet can become lodged needing someone to help get the foot free in time.

Never stop a car on the tracks. If a car does stall, get out of the car, head away from the impact point and go in the direction the train is traveling from so debri doe not hit you.

The hour and half trip was great, something the students and adults accoompanying them will not forget.

Tuesday saw the group back to their clay and paint as they pursued an Australian theme with rain sticks, Aborigini painting, bowls of turtles and kangaroos.

The students will have the opportunity to hang a piece of their art work at Pablo's Pizza in Kokopelli Shopping Center, Fruita during the month of July. The show will be hung July 1 and the closing reception will be for all parents and friends, July 25, a Saturday, from 2 to 4. Take time for a great pizza or sandwich or salad and see these great works by budding artists at Pablos of Fruita. Parents will be able to take home their children's art work then. If you can't make it, call Vera Mulder, one of the art teachers, and make other arrangements.