Westbound train approaching the Horseshoe Curve.

This one didn't seem to be as long as the previous train.

But it compensated for its lack of size by making the most noise.

The very loud squeak coming from one of the rail cars heard in the video was quite deafening at close range

I hung around the train viewing park for a while taking in the wonderful weather and the great views of the area.

But soon it was time for me to make my way back down to the Visitor Center.

Building a Funicular Railway was a good decision given the theme of the site.

It provides access to the viewing park for everyone.

And visitors seem to like it. The Funicular shuttled a small but steady stream of people up and down the hill during my brief visit.

Since I walked up the stairs to get to the viewing park, I decided to take the easy way back down the hill.

Riding the Funicular Railway down to the Visitor Center.

A large sign greets visitors arriving at the Funicular station. This is an historical sign that once sat somewhere in this area. One side presents a few of the Curve's vital statistics.

The other side describes the Altoona Watershed.

After checking out the museum and watching the short films available for viewing, I headed back outside to yet another train passing by.

The tunnel seen in the photos above and below is located in the second ravine that was filled in during the construction of the Curve. Unlike the tunnel I drove through earlier, this tunnel is used for drainage.

And with that, my tour of the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark had come to an end. Great trip ! I haven't been here since I was in school, and I'm glad I stopped.

My brother and I keep in touch the way any siblings do when they are separated by long distances. We chat on the phone whenever one of us has something significant to share. We send each other a snapshot of our lives here and there. We forward a funny email or link found on the internet. He'll email me a car question whenever one arises. I'll email him interesting real estate information from my area.

But none of that can take the place of an actual visit. While challenging due to the distance involved, visits do happen occasionally whenever life allows. This is my third visit home since 2012. My brother's work schedule is a lot more intense than mine which limits his ability to come to Georgia. He's been here twice since I've lived here. The first visit was over the 2011 Christmas Holiday. He was thrilled to be able to tell all of his friends that he played golf over Christmas as seen in the photo above from that time, (something that is typically not possible in Pennsylvania !).

His last visit was in August 2014 when his alma mater West Virginia University was playing Alabama in the Chick-Fil-A College Football Kickoff Classic game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The death of a family member may not be the cheeriest of circumstances under which to visit. But visiting is essential, and sometimes this is what it takes to make that happen. This time, there would be no golf or football, only a good meal at the Prime Sirloin Buffet and lots of time to catch up. I headed to his house so we could do just that.

I admit that I suffer from a bit of Property Envy. I enjoy living in my neighborhood in Georgia. The lots are bigger and the homes are separated somewhat. But it just can't compare to being on 55 acres in rural Pennsylvania !

The concept of being separated from your neighbor takes on a whole new meaning here.

The Combine seen in the photos above and below belongs to a neighbor across the street. But given the size of the properties around here, that distance is actually more than 1/4 mile. I love my 35x optical zoom !

My brother tells me that one day, the neighbor was using the combine when it suddenly caught fire. He shut it off, got out of danger, and put the fire out. The combine hasn't moved since.

His neighbors immediately in front of his property are pretty quiet and keep to themselves spending most of their time working on their lawn.

The view from the driveway is pretty amazing ! This area is part of the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains. The Ridge to the east is Lock Mountain.

Being here in October means the fall colors were still beautiful.

The rear of his property borders one of the many State Game Lands, and as such will never be developed.

His only neighbors in that direction are the deer, and they're ok.

Although they can be nosy at times.

The derp is strong with some of them.

But Calvin keeps an eye on them. He keeps them in line and isn't afraid to tell them to mind their own business once in a while.

I'm pretty sure the old gazebo in the photo above came from Lakemont Park, an amusement park in the area that has been around since 1894. It once stood somewhere along the park's midway but was removed at some point in recent history. My brother bought it when it came up for sale. It's been stabilized for now and awaits restoration.

Calvin looks at it as an open-air doghouse and has claimed it for himself.

We took a walk around the property which, at 55 nowhere-near-level acres, proved to be quite a workout. "I've got to get to work on the wood pile," he tells me.

Firewood season is fast approaching.

Did I mention that his property isn't even remotely close to "level" ?

The north side of the property borders a farm.

The previous owners had an agreement with the farm to allow the cows to graze in the lower portion of the property.

My brother is happy to keep this in place.

The neighboring cows do a good job of keeping the weeds down.

Part of an old oak tree came down during a recent storm.

It will provide a good bit of firewood for the winter, (not like he would ever run out anyways).

We circled down the hill to the front of his property. The key word here is "down."

A small creek meanders north-south through the property.