The Northern Pacific Railway operated across the northern tier of the western United States. Construction began in 1870 and the main line opened when former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in central Montana in 1883. The railroad served a large area, including Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
It was an overcast, but nevertheless beautiful day, and as I took my first leisurely walk along the highway. I was amazed to discover how often the trains go by. In just what seemed to be a few minutes, three trains passed. I was in awe when one fairly long train carried the fuselage of three brand new jets. Yes, I said "jets" -- you know, as in 737's. They were without their tell-tale airline colors, only an initial coat of primer. The windows were still taped, papered over and they must have been prepped for their final coats of paint to take them beyond their current generic look. They looked a bit like the thoracic sections of monstrous beetles with the all the legs and feelers removed. I stood there watching the remainder of the flatbeds, waiting for the wings, rudders, turbines and tails! I never saw them. Strange!