The Christmas Train

Choo, choo!  Last night we went to The Christmas Train in Dry Gulch, USA!  The drive was a little over an hour, our destination:  The Boondocks, without a doubt. *Thank the Heavens for GPS or we’d still be looking for the train!*  Leading up to this trip I heard very mixed reviews, which made me question whether we should even go.  I had ordered our tickets over a month ago {before I knew much about this place}…and glad I did since they sold out in 48 hours.

The train we rode…

{Picture from their site}

I’m so thankful I got lots of advice on what to do {and not to do}.  I think all the pointers really made our trip great.  Although our tickets specifically said Arrival Time 6 pm, we showed up at 5:30 (so smart!).  We were bundled in about 3 layers of clothing, being that it was 39 degrees with a north wind.  Brrrrrr.  Poor Ramsey could hardly bend her arms, but by golly she was as snug as a bug in a rug the entire night.

Daddy D and Rams right after we got in (via my phone camera)… {I didn’t take my “real” camera----I know, I know, did I have a fever?!}

After we got into the “park” Daddy D went straight for the train line while Ramsey and I rode a donkey and a zebra {on the carousel}.  We swapped and I stood in line while Daddy D took her to the playground.  It was about a 20 minute wait in line until…ALL ABOARD!  And we were on the train.

The train was neat, it took us through billboards and live scenes of “the true Christmas story”.  I thought Ramsey might wet her pants when we passed the live nativity scene.  Luckily, she didn’t.    After the 15 or so minute train ride we went to a puppet show, shopped a little, grabbed a hot chocolate and a snack, and let Rams ride the “Elf Train.”  She was the conductor….setting a bad example to all her passengers.  Sit down, Ramsey!

We also stopped by and saw Santa.  Ramsey was super excited to “say hi to him”.  Once in the Santa room Daddy D said she was trembling and clinging to him for dear life.  Santa asked if she wanted to sit on his lap and she said “NO!” in the most scared, serious voice.  Ha!  He did give me a candy cane to give to her and she’s talked about him (in a positive way) ever since.  It’s love/hate relationship, I suppose.

This place reminded me so much of Silver Dollar City, obviously on a much, much smaller scale.  It had that really neat, old time-y feel.  Very cute.

Our family photo {almost frame-able…not!}

It was a fun first time experience!  We decided it’s definitely something we want to do again, but maybe every few years, not annually.  I truly enjoyed every second with my little family.