East Texas Railroad

Last Saturday, we surprised the boys with a train ride on the East Texas Railroad in Palestine (S. had rode it as a kid).  We didn't tell them where we were going, so they whole way(2.5 hours) N. kept asking what's the surprise?  When we pulled up and he saw the train, and found out he was riding it, he was BEYOND excited.  So the train took us for a 1.5 hour ride to Rusk, then we had a picnic lunch and played in the train station there (they had some train tables for the kids), then rode back to Palestine.  It was a bit chilly, but that wouldn't stop N. from riding in the open air car the whole way back, while P. and I stayed inside.  P. said choo-choo way too many times to count, and actually did pretty well on the train ride--despite wanting to get out of his seat and make a run for it.  Overall an exhausting, but successful day.  N. kept saying thank you for taking me here, and already wants to go back!

 He was actually nervous to look in the engine--which is kind of funny for a kid who talks about being a train engineer when he grows up and wants to drive the train--although we had just got there, so he has to warm up to the situation.

 Hanging with dad in the open-air car!

 Love this one!  Looking down the tracks to see the engine up ahead!

 P. chowing down on his PB sandwich!

 

So it was quite an adventure getting there--there were thunderstorms, but as we get a little ways out, it started hailing--I was driving and freaking out about my car--we tried to find a place to pull over, but everyone else had the same idea--the roads were covered and slick--a truck pulled out in front of me and I had to slam on my brakes so I wouldn't hit him, and slid a bit.  Then we pulled over and switched drivers without either of us getting out of the car.  Luckily, we managed out of the storm without any damage, but it seriously looked like a snow storm--bizarre.