What a glorious morning.  Now that the mercury in local thermostats has finally receeded from triple digits, Scottsdale residents are free to brave the outdoors again.  No longer confined to air conditioned environs, we see neighbors for the first time in months.  We've lived in our pools since May, but it's nice to be reacquainted with our front yards as well.

I can imagine no finer setting for attending "Railfair" at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in McCormick Ranch. 

Making the mid-morning pilgrimage to our family's mecca of leisure, we met up with some friends.  Just in town from Alberta for the week, they planned the trip to their vacation condo perfectly.  My jaw nearly hit the floor upon learning they traded 30 degree temperatures for our upper 80s.  Of course, that was music to my ears.

Thus beginith the great seasonal migration of 2008-2009

The park was awash in model train enthusiasts, inflatable apparati for the kids and all manner of fun.  The train schedules were ramped up to allow for nearly continuous departures.  In short, it was the Railroad Park on HGH.  Given the tenor of the week's financial and political news, it was a more than welcome reprieve.  Credit market freezes and rate indeces do not exist at Railfair.

If you are looking for something to do with the kids in Scottsdale this weekend, and this post finds you in time, you have one more crack at attending Railfair.  It runs tomorrow (Sunday, October 12th) from 10 AM - 5 PM.  Tickets for the attractions are available on site ($2 train rides, $1 carousel rides ... children under three ride free).

Considering that the park often fills up quickly for special events, you might consider forgoing the parking lot, and parking across the street.  There's a place called Starbucks there that serves coffee.  You might have heard of it.  If you haven't, forget I said anything.  I'm reasonably sure they put cocaine in their products.  Nothing else would explain my addiction.

This is but one pitstop along our Autumn lap around the Valley.  Schnepf Farms is holding their annual Fall festival, the State Fair is in full swing and other seasonal events are popping up all over the place.  If you aren't here, get here now!

For more information about the Railroad Park and Railfare, please visit: 

http://www.therailroadpark.com

For more information regarding McCormick Ranch Real Estate, please visit me at McCormick Ranch Home.  Start your search for your new Scottsdale home today!