The only way to travel…if you are almost 2 and heading to the north pole.

We took Zoe up to Williams, AZ to ride on the Polar Express. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this train ride (as was I until Momma educated me), visit The Polar Express website for more information.

Now about the whole experience:

The ride up sucked, the weather was horrible to say the least. pouring rain and lots of fog. I was wondering on the way up if we were going to get to see some snow, but was wishing we could just see 20 feet ahead of the car. Momma took over driving an hour north of Phoenix and did a fantastic job getting us there, while Zoe slept in the back.

We got there a few hours before departure: 8:00 PM We had to stay at the Howard Johnson’s two blocks south of the train station. They have a really nice hotel to stay in if you don’t scarf free tickets last minute like we did. The hotel was crap, and smelled much like it. After check in, Momma went to scope out the train station while Zoe and I destroyed the room. When Momma got back, she not only had the scoop, but tickets to the buffet.

Let me tell you what: They have this whole thing figured out, easy buffet dinner (small but really good Christmas dinner stuff), close hotel, AWESOME ride and neat little gift shop. I overheard the clerk while we were buying tickets for next year (yes, they go that fast) that they have over 1800 people a night ride the train!

Anyway, it was miserably cold and wet all night. We had bundle Zoe up in two jackets, fleece pants, fur boots and mittens. We just forgot to take care of ourselves. My ears felt like they were going to explode in the cold. Momma and I had no head gear, which we were really sorry about when waiting to board in freezing rain/hail/wind/pain!

We got on the train and had a really nice ride, singing songs, drinking hot chocolate and eating chocolate chip cookies. This was not only Zoe’s first time on a train, but mine too. We rolled up to the North Pole and got to see Santa. Then we headed back and got the info that he was on the train. When Santa finally arrived in our car, Zoe’s eye’s lit up with cheer, but she really got a kick when he gave her a jingle bell.

Zoe had a blast! she had a smile on her face from the time we got there until the time we left, except for an occasional yawn. This was her first time in the snow and she loved it! She kept yelling “snow” and “cold” and “slippery” as we walked on the icy sidewalks and streets in the morning. She even made snow angels from the little snow that actually stuck!

We ate a really nice breakfast and a Momma bought a pie in the morning before we headed back home. Before we left, we bought tickets for next year. I think Zoe is gonna have even more fun the older she gets (for the next 5 or so years, anyway).

Categories: Rantings
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