by Zenna LoneStar 
Step away from my ever-smoking grill in Bastrop for a afternoon, and you might just catch my tie-dye skirt fluttering on a train platform. An old flower child like me knows there is nothing quite like the rhythm of steel wheels to settle the soul. Out on the rails, strangers sitting across the aisle become neighbors before the first whistle blows.
Across the Short Creek Trestle
Here in Central Texas, I love boarding the Austin Steam Train and riding the Hill Country Flyer from Cedar Park up to Burnet. The vintage coaches sway gently as we roll past live oaks and limestone bluffs.
My favorite part is crossing the wooden trestle bridge at Short Creek, where the whole car quiets down to look out over the canyon below. If I spot another passenger wearing burnt orange, you know I am throwing up a quick Hook 'Em sign and sharing a smile.
Deep in the Piney Woods
When my heart calls for tall timber, I head east to ride the vintage Texas State Railroad between Palestine and Rusk. Those historic engines puff right through the heart of the Piney Woods, surrounded by towering pines and dogwood trees.
Sitting in an open-air car with the breeze in my red and silver hair, I feel the deep history of the folks who built these lines generations ago. Southern hospitality shines brightest on these rides, where families pass around snacks and swap stories like old friends.
Life moves fast, y'all, and sometimes we need to let someone else drive while we soak in the peace and love of our big backyard. Grab a ticket, wave at the conductor, and save me a window seat.
