Another weekend, another roadtrip! This weekend we had to drive up to Chief Logan State Park to go to the Whitt family reunion (my husband's father's family). Not a bad drive and a nice little park. It is officially our first entry on our VIPP card!

There is a nice little FREE museum there. Inside there is one entire room dedicated to a somber art piece called "Rising Light". It is dedicated to the fallen miners in the Sago disaster.

Outside the museum was the neatest, hugest, coal train engine ever! I mean, it was GI-NORMOUS! I've never seen a train quite that big before.

Tristen in the coal hopper!

Inside the firebox compartment

The boys with the Chief Logan monument. On the monument there is a very famous quote. It reads:

"I appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if he ever came cold and naked and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace.
Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as I passed, and said, "Logan is a friend of the white man." I have even thought to live with you but for the injuries of one man, Colonel Cresap, who last spring in cold blood and unprovoked murdered the relatives of Logan, not even sparing his wife and children.
There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This has called on me for revenge. I have sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice in the beams of peace.
But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one."

You can listen to the speech here.

My father in law's uncle is quite a picker and a grinner! Here he is below entertaining us with some southern gospel.

There is a small wildlife exhibit there. We were slightly disappointed. It was sad seeing the animals in such tiny little pens. We all loved seeing the black bears. It's a shame they are viscious killing machines.... because they're REALLY CUTE! ha ha ha.

The park ranger was less than happy about coming over and dealing with the bears. He was not the most attentive ranger we ever met, about as friendly as a bad rash.

There was also a pen with some bobcats. Poor kitties. We saw a huge rat scavenging around the OUTSIDE of the cage too. All part of the exhibit I guess!