Train Station Fun

This past weekend we took a family trip to Poway (50 minutes South) for their 13th annual 'Train Song Festival". It is Brian and my 6th year anniversary...and though this was an event that focused on kids, I knew we'd have fun. We needed somewhere 'free' to play. Ethan is so in love with trains, and the event offered a trip on a 1907 Baldwin Steam Engine around the perimeter of the park. We bought tickets (Golden tickets like on "Polar Express") and rode in the very last car of the train. We witnessed a "train-robbery" ...which upset Ethan, but when we were all 'saved' by the sheriff, he was good to go again!

In the last car of the train, we got the best view...hind sight is 20/20, right?
"We couldn't see where next we'd be... just where we'd traveled last!"

The whole park seemed to be a 'train depot' theme, and there was a Templars building that had a sign that said it served as Poway's first High school. Inside was a room filled with Electric Train Tracks, and model buildings. Ethan was fascinated to watch those model trains go round and through tunnels, etc. In front of the building was a sculpture of a pioneer woman waving a welcome to the passengers arriving at the station. It seemed this park was very dedicated to preserving the 'pioneer' spirit. We loved it!
We ate our packed lunch in the park, behind a stage where we could listen to performers sing all sorts of train songs. There were some great climbing oak trees, and Ethan got a little taste of that 'boy-kind-of-fun'

It was here I decided what he would be for Halloween: a train conductor. He had the white shirt, overalls and neckerchief...his outfit was complete once we bought the hat (see picture below). I am loving these years when 'goblins' 'ghosts' and 'monsters' are not a part of his vocabulary, especially in his land of make believe.

Ethan, Annie Jane & Mom in front of the Templars Building