This weekend, we packed up our boys and drove to Felton CA. It was a surprise trip for William -- a Day out with Thomas the Train! The Roaring Railroad company operates trains which take you through the red wood forest to Santa Cruz and does special events like this with Thomas and Percy engines a couple of times a year.
I had read about it a year a go and kept watching for tickets to be available. We were out of town during Thomas's appearance in July, so we had to get in on the Halloween themed tour this month instead. But that was okay because it we could say it was part of his Birthday celebration!
The train station was awesome. They had so much for the kids to do other than just the train ride so William was entertained the whole time.
These mini Thomas trains captured his attention for most of the morning. We had to pry him away to see the real Thomas! When he first saw the real thing, I don't think he believed it was real! He just stared and then a slow smile crept on to his face.
And Percy! He loved that Percy was there too!
They had a lot of play areas including this barn with hay bails and an old wagon! William loved climbing over everything.
Then it was time to board the train. The conductor even said "All Aboard" which made William laugh! The train car had bench type seating along the sides and a canopy on top. The sides were open so we could see the redwoods as we passed through the forest. The ride was beautiful! And the sun came peaked through the trees giving it the most spectacular look. For the children's event, the ride only lasted 30 minutes or so. (The non themed ride would last more than an hour.)
William watched the trees go by with great excitement and was sad when the ride was over. He exclaimed "I want to do it again!" Stephen was well behaved for the most part but tired near the half way point and fell asleep just as we returned to the station.
The whole family is on the train!
Guess my selfies need a little work...
After the ride, we played some more and had lunch. Then we got to see Sir Topham Hatt! The man in charge of the Island of Sodor (where Thomas lives). William was so excited he turned shy! I was glad we were able to get in on this meeting because when we told William where we were going that morning he said "And Sir Topham Hatt will be there!" I was glad I could make good on that promise!
Going on outings like this and watching your child light up with such joy and fascination is so worth it. His love for Thomas has come from books, puzzles and toys. He remembers all the names of the trains and the places they go. He remembers what Thomas learns and can retell the stories perfectly. To see the famous train in person was just too cool! This was his first train ride and something I'm so glad we could do as a family.
This weekend, we packed up our boys and drove to Felton CA. It was a surprise trip for William -- a Day out with Thomas the Train! The Roaring Railroad company operates trains which take you through the red wood forest to Santa Cruz and does special events like this with Thomas and Percy engines a couple of times a year.
I had read about it a year a go and kept watching for tickets to be available. We were out of town during Thomas's appearance in July, so we had to get in on the Halloween themed tour this month instead. But that was okay because it we could say it was part of his Birthday celebration!
The train station was awesome. They had so much for the kids to do other than just the train ride so William was entertained the whole time.
These mini Thomas trains captured his attention for most of the morning. We had to pry him away to see the real Thomas! When he first saw the real thing, I don't think he believed it was real! He just stared and then a slow smile crept on to his face.
And Percy! He loved that Percy was there too!
They had a lot of play areas including this barn with hay bails and an old wagon! William loved climbing over everything.
Then it was time to board the train. The conductor even said "All Aboard" which made William laugh! The train car had bench type seating along the sides and a canopy on top. The sides were open so we could see the redwoods as we passed through the forest. The ride was beautiful! And the sun came peaked through the trees giving it the most spectacular look. For the children's event, the ride only lasted 30 minutes or so. (The non themed ride would last more than an hour.)
William watched the trees go by with great excitement and was sad when the ride was over. He exclaimed "I want to do it again!" Stephen was well behaved for the most part but tired near the half way point and fell asleep just as we returned to the station.
The whole family is on the train!
Guess my selfies need a little work...
After the ride, we played some more and had lunch. Then we got to see Sir Topham Hatt! The man in charge of the Island of Sodor (where Thomas lives). William was so excited he turned shy! I was glad we were able to get in on this meeting because when we told William where we were going that morning he said "And Sir Topham Hatt will be there!" I was glad I could make good on that promise!
Going on outings like this and watching your child light up with such joy and fascination is so worth it. His love for Thomas has come from books, puzzles and toys. He remembers all the names of the trains and the places they go. He remembers what Thomas learns and can retell the stories perfectly. To see the famous train in person was just too cool! This was his first train ride and something I'm so glad we could do as a family.
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