Our Great Train Adventure!

Waiting.

Waiting some more.  In style. 

Bug and I took the train to visit family over a long weekend. It was quite an adventure, from driving in a snow and ice storm just to get to the train station to the train being more than 3 hours late getting us back home (forcing me to miss work).  The thing I kept telling myself is, it's not about the destination, but the journey.

One of the best things about the train are the people you meet. I've taken it many times and it's one of the things I look forward to most. Everyone is so kind. When we were at the station waiting for the train to arrive, another passenger was admiring Bugs blanket (fondly called Bia) when he opened his bag and handed her a tie-dyed cloth to keep. Turns out he does tye-dye for a living and was on a cross country trip to Seattle.  There was a kind man who helped me carry my bags from the train to the station, I had my backpack, luggage and a car seat as well as Bug in my arms.  There was no way I could carry it all and he saved me, plus it was 5 degrees out and we had a long way to walk to get inside.  We had talked on the train and come to find out his wife is pregnant with their 8th child (thanks Craig and good luck!). 

A real train table.  (That's a $6 beer there!) 

We had an awesome visit.  We hung out with my sister and the kids had a great time playing, I got to see my brother and his girlfriend and got some exciting news that my dad is getting married (congrats dad and Suzanne!).  We also had a great day at the Mall of America and hung out in the middle at the amusement park (not normally a place I enjoy going but this time is was fun).  My thoughts were confirmed, Bug is an adrenaline junkie.  We started the day off a semi truck ride for the kiddies that pretty much goes around a track and you can honk the horn.

We ended the day on the log chute.  My 2 year old daughter was obsessed with it.  I told her what it was about, it was dark and there was a huge drop at the end, that once we got on there was no getting off, but she didn't care.  So I bought the tickets and we went on it with my brother in law, Z, and my Uncle Bob.  I wasn't sure how she was going to do on it, but she loved it.  She didn't want to get off and once off, tried to get back on!  When I ask her about it now, she says her favorite part was the drop and the splash.  Seriously, what 2 year old goes on the log chute ride?!

The only thing I had to write/highlight with on the train were Bugs crayons.  You can't read Simplicity Parenting without marking up the pages! 

It was a great trip and while it had its challenges, it was worth every one of them.  It's true what they say, it's not about the destination, but the journey.  And it was a great journey I'm hoping she'll remember.   

A perfect moment.