Santa Train

The Polar Express~

Lights are gleaming far across the snow

You're not dreaming

May I present the North Pole!

If it's penguins you expect to view

You surely haven't guessed

They all live down at the other end

With a little luck we'll be on time

There's no need to stress

Cause that's the way things happen

On the Polar Express

Boom boom the whistle blows

That's the sound of her singing

Ding ding the bell will ring

Golly look at her go!

If you want to join us come along

I'll check my manifest

Cause that's the way things happen

On the Polar Express!

~Tom Hanks

 

On December 12, 2009, Max, Sterling, Auntie Becca and I went to Downtown North Bend, WA to ride the Santa Train. I had purchased the tickets off my friend Nicole, as she was unable to go. We had no idea what to expect, but thought that it had to be good because it sells out every year. We arrived at the North Bend Train Station at 1:00 pm, and quickly loaded onto the train. All the seats in the main cabin appeared to be occupied, so we plopped ourselves on the wicker chairs in the old "fish car."

 

We rode in the old fish car, which did not smell of fish, all the way to Snoqualmie. The ride lasted about 20 minutes. The boys looked around and took in as much of the scenery as they could. When we deboarded in Snoqualmie town, we were directed to the Santa waiting area. The line was about a mile line, and the air was as cold as it is in the Great White North. We were freezing. We finally got into to see Santa and the boys looked on in wonder. I took lots of would be great photos, but alas...my flash did not pop up in Manual mode, and all my pictures were black. Boo. But Auntie Becca took some cute shots. Maybe she will send them to me someday ;) .

 

We went from Santa to the gift shop. There, we picked out a train book for the boys. The train shop was great, filled with tons of Thomas the Tank Engine memorabilia and other Snoqualmie Railroad paraphernalia. I can't wait for the boys to be into trains. It will make the trip so much more fun. After the gift shop, we headed to lunch at the Snoqualmie Brewery. Unfortunately, they were extremely slow, and we had to take our lunch to go.

 

On the train ride back to North Bend, Max fell asleep in mommy's arms. It was the perfect day, and a tradition that I am looking for to continuing with my Maxwell, Sterling and Auntie Becca. I loved it!