Big Boy Trains with a Big Fanbase

Big Boy No. 4014 is a 78-year old Union Pacific locomotive that’s currently touring the Southwestern U.S.

It was part of a series of 25 extra-large steam engines built between 1941 and 1944, and it’s one of the only two still in operation.

This particular Big Boy was sitting in a museum in Pomona, California when, in 2013, Union Pacific decided to buy it back, restore it, and get it running in time for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad earlier this year.

When we heard it was making a stop in Tucson, we decided to stop by there as well.

I think they may have underestimated the number of train enthusiasts in Southern Arizona. We certainly did.

The normally quiet roads surrounding the depot were choked with lines of cars waiting to get in – and then out.

It was cool seeing the train, even though we weren’t able to get in to see the displays inside. One of the rail cars has been turned into kind of a mini museum. The line to get in stretched about half the length of the train, and we were out of time.

I wondered about the stories of the people who had made the trip there. Had they traveled far? Did they have a connection to the Big Boys? Or a passion for all steam locomotives? Or, like us, did they just happen to live in Tucson and think it would be an interesting thing to see?

Whatever their reasons, Big Boy No. 4014 certainly has plenty of fans, and I hope it rolls into town again.

Steam train engine — Photo of Big Boy No. 4014 – without the crowds – via Union Pacific.

– More Steam Train Info –

Big Boy No. 4014’s 2019 appearance schedule and current location.
Union Pacific steam locomotives.
The 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Experience the Union Pacific – museum on a rail car. Short video on their site with a glimpse inside.

October 20, 2019April 9, 2026

Hong Kong’s Commuter Escalator

Central–Mid-Levels Escalators in Hong Kong. — CCL photo by Chris Yunker.

Escalators may not be what comes to mind when you think of mass transit. However, the Mid-Levels Escalator in Hong Kong moves over 70,000 pedestrians each day from one part of the city to another.

HK Central Cochrane Street Central-Mid-Levels escalators — CCL photo by WingLuk.

I first heard about the Mid-Levels Escalator while watching the film Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong and had to find out more.

Shelley Street Central-Mid-Levels escalators in Hong Kong — Shelley Street in Hong Kong. CCL photo by Maucaine.

Turns out, it’s the world’s longest covered escalator system. In fact, it’s so large and so widely used that shops, bars, and other businesses have sprung up alongside it to take advantage of the built-in foot traffic.

Sai Ying Pun Centre Street Escalators — CCL photo by Rome Picasso 2018 MDUHSYE.

The 800m- (1/2 mile-) series of outdoor escalators and moving walkways connects the Central District’s skyscrapers with the residential area up the hill, known as Mid-Levels.

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Asia Hong Kong 21 Lyndhurst Terrace Central-Mid-Levels escalators interior — Lyndhurst Terrace Central-Mid-Levels escalators interior. CCL photo by Tpechncoam.

Just like reversible lanes on a roadway, the direction changes to accommodate the daily commute – one-way escalators moving downhill for the morning rush hours and then uphill the rest of the day.

Hong Kong – Central-Mid-Levels escalators. CCL photo by Deror avi.

It opened in 1993 and is currently undergoing renovations a section at a time.

Sai Ying Pun Centre Street August Escalators — Sai Ying Pun Centre Street. CCL photo by Rome Picasso 2018 MDUHSYE.

Like a funicular (without any sort of tram car), it’s another clever way to get up a hill!

– More Info –

Hong Kong Mid-Levels Escalator

History and How-to (a step-by-step journey)
Why Use the Mid-Levels Escalator
Construction updates
Central-Mid-Levels Escalator “Connect‧Community‧Culture” Drawing Competition Artwork

Hong Kong street at night — Scene from the film Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong.

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong film

Now available on Amazon Prime
My review

October 9, 2019April 9, 2026

Our Tucson Food Favorites

While we’re still getting to know Tucson and have more eatery exploring to do, here are some local spots we find ourselves recommending when people visit…

Frequented Faves

Seis Kitchen

Serving fresh, flavorful food based on 6 regional cuisines of Mexico, Seis has become a regular stop for us!

We especially like: tacos (poc chuc, cochinita pibil, and/or barbacoa), burritos with adobo steak, a side of calabacitas, “cochata” (which is their horchata with a shot of cold brew coffee), or watermelon cucumber aguas frescas on a hot day.

Location:

Mercado San Agustin (130 S. Avenida Del Convento) is one of our favorite hang out spots. There’s only outdoor seating (with shade and misters) or take-out.
The new location in Joesler Village shopping center (River Rd/Campbell) has happy hour specials and both indoor and patio seating.
The food truck, which is where the restaurant got its start, is now used for catering.

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday 8am – 9pm

Serves: breakfast, lunch, dinner

El Guero Canelo

Where we go to indulge in (or introduce others to) local specialty, Sonoran dogs – bacon-wrapped hot dogs topped with pinto beans, cheese, onions, and tomato, and served in a top-split roll. One time, Phillip and I and a couple friends took a day trip to Tucson specifically to eat Sonoran hot dogs at El Guero Canelo.

We especially like the Sonoran dogs, of course. The tacos are good, as well.

Locations:

2480 N Oracle Rd is where we usually go. The large, warehouse-like space is always hopping!
There are also a couple locations in South Tucson, an east location at 22nd St/Craycroft, and one in west Phoenix. (There weren’t any Phoenix locations yet when we took our road trip.)

Hours:
Sunday 12-6pm
Monday – Thursday 10am – 10pm
Friday – Saturday 8am – 12am

Serves: lunch + dinner

Rincon Market

Vintage market (opened in 1926) turned mostly into a restaurant and coffee bar. It would also be a great place to pick up a la carte items for a picnic!

We especially like their lunch selection and lovely dessert case. Recently, I had a delicious grain bowl there. We were big fans of their weekend breakfast buffet, but I think they’ve discontinued it.

Location: Sam Hughes neighborhood. 2513 E 6th St, Tucson

Parking: street or lot behind the building

Hours: daily 7am – 9pm

Serves: breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, beer + wine

One-Time Wonders

These are places that left us wanting more in the best possible way. We’ve been to each of them once and plan to return!

Cafe Poca Cosa

I had heard several people rave about this place, and it did not disappoint. The menu changes twice daily, based on what’s fresh and in season. Your server brings over a chalkboard that lists the current offerings and explains each item to you personally. We chose to share the Poca Cosa, which means the chef puts together a surprise sampler of several dishes for you. It was fabulous.

Location: 110 East Pennington St, Tucson.

Parking: street or Pennington Garage.

Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 9pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Serves: lunch + dinner

El Molinito

While there is definitely an old school feel to this place, the food was a cut above most restaurants in this Arizona Mexican food genre. On the suggestion of our tuxedoed waiter, I ordered the enchiladas de la casa, which were delicious.

Locations:

We went to one in Oro Valley.
There are also locations in northeast, northwest, and central Tucson.

Serves: lunch + dinner

Maynard’s Kitchen

This is, of course, the Maynard’s where people convene on Monday evenings for the Meet Me at Maynards walk.

We had a superb brunch there, and I wrote all about it with my Agave Heritage Week articles.

Location: 400 N. Toole Ave, Tucson

Parking: If the on-site lot is full, we usually park in the Depot Plaza/MLK Apartments Garage off 5th Ave.

Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday 5 – 9pm
Friday – Saturday 5pm – 12am
Sunday 9am – 2pm

Serves: dinner, happy hour, + Sunday brunch

Cup Cafe

Located inside Hotel Congress with a floor paved with pennies, Cup Cafe is a place where you can have an exceptional sit-down dinner or grab a coffee to go on your way out in the morning. We went during Agave Heritage Week, when the menu included dishes with agave ingredients.

Location: 311 E. Congress St, Tucson

Parking: street or Depot Plaza Garage

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 7am – 10pm
Friday – Saturday 7am – 11pm

Serves: breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour

Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery

We made an unexpected road trip stop here. I loved the back patio and the mac and cheese. Phillip was less into it, but we need to give it another try.

Location: 266 E. Congress St, Tucson

Hours: daily 11am – 12am

Serves: lunch, dinner, + weekend brunch

Ten 55 Brewing Company

We had lunch here during the most recent Arizona International Film Festival. I got chicken salad sliders with white barbecue sauce, which was good for a bite or two, but too much for a whole sandwich. Phillip ordered a bratwurst or something off the sausage menu, and, next time, I’ll do the same.

Location: 110 E Congress St, Tucson

Hours:
Thursday – Saturday 11am – 11pm
Sunday – Wednesday 11am – 9pm

Serves: lunch, dinner, + Sunday brunch

Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails

We had an amazing tasting menu meal here several years ago. It’s been awhile but I haven’t forgotten it.

Location: 135 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson

Serves: dinner + happy hour

——-

Our meals at Cup Cafe and Maynard’s Kitchen were compliments of Hotel Congress.

September 24, 2019April 30, 2026

Would you take a flight from Target?

I had a dream that Target had its own airline.

Planes would land and pull right up to the airport level of the store. It all had that stylized, white-on-white aesthetic like something from their t.v. ads.

Example’s of Target’s stylized branding. — Ad images via Target.

They also offered petsitting. So you could drop your dog off for boarding and then go upstairs to board a plane.

Which is what we had planned to do in the dream. However, when we looked past the trendy waiting room furniture, we saw that the “kennels” were barely bigger than the dogs. They looked more like mesh organizer cubbies that belonged on sale in late August with the rest of the dorm room essentials.

Image collage of a couch, side table, dog on a mat, and a metal mesh file box. — Product images via Target.

We could not leave Quijote in such cramped quarters. I started scrambling to find somewhere else for him to stay and trying to figure out how we could take him to another place and still get back to Target in time to catch our flight…

Have I mentioned that I had this dream as we were getting ready to fly to Chicago and leave Quijote overnight for the first time? And that I knew we’d have to take him to the real-life boarding place first thing in the morning (and I’m not great at mornings) and then rush to the airport?

Yeah, I was anxious about how it would go.

Dog asleep on clothing. — Quijote helpfully napping on top of clothing I’m trying to pack.

In reality, however, Quijote stayed at his regular doggie daycare spot and did really well. Phillip and I made it to Chicago.

And, so far, Target is not in the airline business.

I guess travel anxiety can take your mind some wild places.

August 29, 2019April 9, 2026

Chicago Sightseeing on a Conference Schedule

Updated last: August 29, 2019.

Originally published June 25, 2014.

This post came from finding ways to squeeze in a little Chicago sightseeing when I was headed to a conference that would be split between the massive McCormick Place convention center and hotels a few miles away, along the Chicago River.

Now that I’m getting ready for another quick trip to Chicago, I’ve updated information and added to it.

Let me know what you like to do in the Windy City!

–Steph

I had been to Chicago O’Hare. But the airport doesn’t count. I had driven by Chicago on the interstate. That doesn’t really count either. The first time I was really in the city of Chicago, it was for a conference. Which just barely counts.

McCormick Place in Chicago — Part of the massive McCormick Place convention center in Chicago.

A conference can be like its own self-contained universe. You can eat, sleep, socialize, work, learn, and be entertained for days without ever leaving its confines. Or ever talking to someone who isn’t wearing a lanyard. Whether you’re there for knowledge or networking, you want to get as much as you can out of the conference itself. But it’s also nice to see some of the area outside the convention center.

As I prepared for the 2013 BlogHer Annual Conference, I also looked into what was near the downtown convention centers and hotels where I would be starting from and how I could see a small slice of Chicago if I found a spare hour or two.
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