Their wildest dreams didn't even hint at the wonderfulness of the day.
Our train. The trestle bridges were impressive.
Our engines tough. (Thankfully - I wasn't particularly interested in playing The Little Engine that Could)
The scenery awesome (in the greatest awe inspiring sense of the word) despite the gray clouds.
Canyons.
Swollen, rushing creeks/waterfalls.
The train had an open carriage (old restored car) where you could vie for position for the best pictures in the fresh air but you could also stand on the platform between cars and catch the view in an unsophisticated manner. And sometimes the view was a little breathtaking as there was literally one foot of track ties to peer over to the forest floor a long way down.
Opa, who was born in Holland, making sure he was on the up and up for Canadian trivia.
Cara, oh so proud of the picture she had colored with Gramps. Or was that the picture Gramps had colored for Cara.... :)
The weather here as been more than average rainy and cold. For the days leading up to the trip our kids had asked about sun/rain more than once and I had told them "God is control of the weather. You may pray and ask for sun, He is able to astonish even the weathermen." And so I prayed whenever it crossed my mind that if it was the will of our gracious God that He would even bring sun to show my children how great He is. Our trip to the hotel was coldish and rainy, our trip to the train was cold and gray. And I prayed. Our trip up the mountains was colder and grayer and when we first stepped off the transit bus that brought us from train to city square the snow clouds hung low and threatening and it was starting to spit a cold spattering of rain. And I prayed. There wasn't really much we could do with the kids if we weren't going to be outdoors and so we decided to first go get some lunch and then discuss how to spend our remaining time. I prayed. We finished lunch to find the skies lighter and brighter and we headed out for a walk to find the outdoor playground we had been told about.
And what a playground it was! We spent the rest of the time watching our kids having a fantastic time exploring and playing on that wonderful playground.
And not once did the skies let a rain drop loose. Not once did anyone have to complain of being cold.
In fact, as we left the playground and headed back for the bus, the sun started to warm us to the point of almost needing to take off our jackets. And I prayed and thanked my gracious Father in Heaven who heard my prayers and answered even to the point of sunny skies.
By the time we got back on the train the kids were exhausted and so we dealt with them the easiest way possible for a peaceful train ride home for everyone that shared car #4 with us, we plugged in the DVD players and tucked them in a corner at the back.
While the big kids who were still hyper and energetic bounced on the one super bouncy seat they had discovered.
And the little kids succumbed to sleep.
Swollen, rushing creeks/waterfalls.
The train had an open carriage (old restored car) where you could vie for position for the best pictures in the fresh air but you could also stand on the platform between cars and catch the view in an unsophisticated manner. And sometimes the view was a little breathtaking as there was literally one foot of track ties to peer over to the forest floor a long way down. The small platform between the cars was Cody's favorite spot to let the wind whistle through his hair!
One could also walk to the back of the train and watch the tracks everyone had just covered disappear, left behind.
The company was incredible. :) Great grand parents, grand parents, parents and children. From the reaction of the train staff, I don't think they get these kinds of family groups too often.
Yah, the company was indeed wonderful.
Yah, the company was indeed wonderful. Opa, who was born in Holland, making sure he was on the up and up for Canadian trivia.
Cara, oh so proud of the picture she had colored with Gramps. Or was that the picture Gramps had colored for Cara.... :)
The weather here as been more than average rainy and cold. For the days leading up to the trip our kids had asked about sun/rain more than once and I had told them "God is control of the weather. You may pray and ask for sun, He is able to astonish even the weathermen." And so I prayed whenever it crossed my mind that if it was the will of our gracious God that He would even bring sun to show my children how great He is. Our trip to the hotel was coldish and rainy, our trip to the train was cold and gray. And I prayed. Our trip up the mountains was colder and grayer and when we first stepped off the transit bus that brought us from train to city square the snow clouds hung low and threatening and it was starting to spit a cold spattering of rain. And I prayed. There wasn't really much we could do with the kids if we weren't going to be outdoors and so we decided to first go get some lunch and then discuss how to spend our remaining time. I prayed. We finished lunch to find the skies lighter and brighter and we headed out for a walk to find the outdoor playground we had been told about.
And what a playground it was! We spent the rest of the time watching our kids having a fantastic time exploring and playing on that wonderful playground.
And not once did the skies let a rain drop loose. Not once did anyone have to complain of being cold.
In fact, as we left the playground and headed back for the bus, the sun started to warm us to the point of almost needing to take off our jackets. And I prayed and thanked my gracious Father in Heaven who heard my prayers and answered even to the point of sunny skies. 
By the time we got back on the train the kids were exhausted and so we dealt with them the easiest way possible for a peaceful train ride home for everyone that shared car #4 with us, we plugged in the DVD players and tucked them in a corner at the back.
While the big kids who were still hyper and energetic bounced on the one super bouncy seat they had discovered.
And the little kids succumbed to sleep.
It was a special day, with special people.
It was a fantastic "Christmas" gift!
2 comments:
that is just SO cool!!! what an awesome experience!
"hang on tight to your skirt gramma!!" ;)
Cathy N
Seriously...I can completely say I am SO THRILLED WITH YOU, that you are at the point where you could make an amazing trip like this with your little tribe. What a GIFT!!!! And I know you appreciate it more than most, because just a few years ago you wouldn't have even given making such an excursion a second thought (like me), but now you can! And you did! And what tremendous memories you and your children now have!!! LOVE IT!!!! Yay for you!!!
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