The perfect vacation for a railroad lover
Logan loves trains. He particularly loves Thomas and his friends, but any old train will get his giddy smile to break out across his face. So what would be a better early birthday gift for such a boy? A trip to see the "real" Thomas and as many trains as one almost 3 year old could squeeze into a three day weekend.We left Friday, June 10th for Strausberg PA. The ride was peppered with construction trucks and Amish farmers but Logan was focused on finding a glimpse of Thomas. He swore he saw him over every hill we passed. After checking into our hotel, we took Logan to what must easily now be his most favorite store on the entire planet - Thomas' Trackside Station. This place has everything and anything with Thomas plastered on it. Logan ran from item to item finding a bit of this and a lot of that he'd love to add to his collection. He settled, instead, on three engines and a new set of PJs. He did request a new Thomas Alarm clock, a ball, an entire new set of of tracks and trains, a new wardrop of Thomas attire, and so very much more.
The best part though was after his shopping. We took him the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Logan looked so very small next to those huge machines - real engines and cars parked on tracks inside a huge hanger-like building. Some he got to climb on. Others he didn't. On those he'd point to the signs hung over the steps and say "It says no", as he read the word printed in large black letters. He got to drive a mock Diesel Engine. He got to sit in the driver's seat of a big old black steam engine - pulling on its whistle cord and trying to move the brake lever. He got to play with a the most expansive GeoTrax set he'd ever seen in their kids hands-on room. He didn't want to leave.
The next day we rose and dressed. Logan opened his eyes and asked drowsily "Is it time? We're seeing Thomas today?!" And it was nearly time. We arrived at the station an hour early - in time to see Thomas puffing away in at the station as the trips riders boarded. We took photos with the big blue smiling engine. We watched him puff out of the station. We waved to Sir Topham Hat. We waited for our turn. Logan took all the waiting in stride although the heat and theh battle against his impatience made him a bit whiney and clingy for a short-time. When it came time to board, however, he was the happiest kid you could find.
The simple, yet huge, smile on his face told it all. And just in case you hadn't picked it up from that delighted look, he'd sigh later that day and say "This is my best trip ever!" The ride was roughly 20-minutes and Logan didn't stop smiling through any of it. And yet his day wasn't over. Immediately after we climbed down from Thomas' coach we met up with Liam and his parents. Mandy, Liam's mom, and I belong to an online Mom's group comprised of women with kids all born during the summer of 2002. It was the first time the boys had met - the first time we had met in person. And after a momentary shy spell on Logan's behalf, they seemed to have hit it off well. They held hands as they waited to board the Robert Fulton - or as Logan called it "The Polar Express." That ride was 45 minutes.
The rest of our day was peppered with more train peeping, more Thomas related activities and more family time. We pitched our tent that night for Logan's first ever camping trip. He'd ask us every now and then "Am I camping now?!" When it was over, he'd ask us if we could pitch the tent again and camp some more. He enjoyed himself. He liked walking along the paved trail with his flashlight. He loved playing ball and running through the big open expanse of field. He found other kids to play on the playground area with. He even enjoyed sleeping on the ground in his sleeping bag under cover of our tent. He took his hikes with his compass in his hand and his flashlight nearby.
It was a big weekend for the little man. And it was well worth it.
posted by Sandy at
9:15 AM
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