Keddie Y

Near Forest Service cabins small

I walked below along the creek

To spy the swim holes stone stacked walls

Where divers jumped & children leaped

Strung over to the other side

A cable bridge gave access to

The neighboring homes and stage coach stop

Each one enjoying trestle views

Pressed close against back meadow wall

Old Minor’s cabins buried deep

Beneath the brush they look so small

Each has a story it will keep

Since Minor’s came in forty-nine

These structures stood through all the years

But certain there will come a time

When winter snows collapse, I fear

I push on down this canyon long

The narrow paths below the hill

Where train tracks cut through stone stand strong

I hear an engine’s roar and wheels

Up over head the Keddie “Y”

The old train bridge built long ago

It stretches cross’ this canyon wide

Where Keddie drove his spike of gold

I wonder when these tracks were laid

From Salt Lake clear to Frisco Bay

Did someone look down here and say

“Hello down there, here comes the train”

Then from a hole cut deep in stone

A yellow Engine’s face appeared

Its lamplight lit and whistle tone

Were what I’d hoped to see & hear

The train cars rolled by double stacked

My heart just pounded, what a sight

The “tic-et-y-tack” sound as each car passed

Stayed with me through that day and night

I’ll come again another year

And holler up to my old friend

“Hey you up there, it’s me – down hear”

“I’ve come to see you once again”

Inspiration

Standing Neath’ the Keddie “Y” as a train passes overhead