Train Ride

One of Tyler's favorite things to say is "choo choo," especially when we cross the train tracks here in Boone! He has also been really into Thomas the Train toys and cartoons. One of our friends from church volunteers at the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad and asked if we wanted to meet up on Saturday afternoon and go for a ride. We knew Tyler would LOVE it!














Excited by the model train in the station.














Ready to get on the train - saying "cheese."










Leaning WAY over the side of our open air car to have the best view - even the huge drop over the side of the High Bridge! Tyler was very brave and mostly wanted to stand up to ride instead of sitting. He loved it all except for the loud train whistle when the train turned around to head back and we were 1 car away from the loud train engine whistle - he jumped each time it blew.












Riding over the swollen Des Moines River



When we started the 1.5 hour trip we were at the end of the train, but half way the train stopped and the engine moved to the back of the train so we could head back the way we came - and then we were at the front of the train - with specks of coal/soot raining down on us from the train's smoke stack. By the end of the ride Tyler looked like he had been playing with the chimney sweeps from Mary Poppins!! So he got bath #2 of the day when we got home. I LOVE this picture. He was so happy....until we had to get back in the car to go home!




Haselhuhns, Halversons, and Lutzs (minus Jill and me).