I've been wanting to visit Strasburg Railroad at Christmas for a very long time and after some convincing 2014 proved to be my year. I could only convince my mother, never my husband. But it is one small victory for mom kind. The train was Santa's Paradise Express. Sort of like Polar, minus the dancing hot chocolate bearers.
We had some victories and we had some losses. Baby Watch was on standby and the weather was warmish. However, the clouds were weeping. Cats. Dogs. Reindeer. It was wet. But on the flip side the crowds weren't there. Small victories.
We had time after picking up our tickets for the kids to write letters to Santa in a nice toasty room with Mrs. Claus watching on. David wouldn't wear his hood nor would he hide under the umbrella so he was quite moist. Maybe Santa will bring him wellies for Christmas this year.
Now I'm no train aficionado but we had the pleasure of watching the engine "attach" itself to the train car we would be riding in. This was spectacular. There was steam and whistles blowing and coal being shoveled and hey. David loves trains.
On the coach car we went, where it was super warm courtesy of the potbelly stove. There were musicians and carolers. Then there of course was ️Santa who posed for pictures and handed out a little present for each kid. A slinky. It was cozy and festive and old fashioned and wonderful. Forty-five minutes of holiday goodness.
Except I didn't get the hot cocoa or sugar cookie I expected. But hey. Next year I'll just bring my own.
