A little research on the internet (thank god for the internet... it is a mother's helper) led us to wanting to visit the zoo, which we haven't done for some a little while. And, to keep things interesting, we decided to take the Max (which is our city commuter train).
Usually, we try to avoid the crowds and go on the off days of the week... so what in the world possessed us to want to go on a holiday?
Two words: Steam Train.
Whenever we go to our zoo (which we have a membership to - Thanks Grandpa & Grandma!) we usually only pick one or two of the animals to visit, ride the train, and then head home. It keeps it simple... not a whole day event. That is what is nice about having a membership.... for us.
So the train is a big deal to Owen - obviously one of his favorite things in the whole world - and we've only heard rumors that there was an antique steam engine that would come out on special occasions. Today was one of those special occasions... lucky for us!
Built in 1959, this little engine was built as a replica train for the Oregon Centennial... AND it is painted in Owens favorite colors! How nice of them...
What was especially cool was, because we caught the train on it's first run of the day, the engineer had to stop the train, throw it in reverse and chug backwards about 100 yards. They put sand in the boiler to clean out all the pipes, and it blows out all kinds of black smoke... they go backward to make sure that none of the nasty black smoke goes in the riders teeth!
Owen's face was priceless.
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| On the way toward Washington Park |
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| Waiting for the Max in the Zoo Tunnel |
What a day. We boarded the Max downtown, rode thru the tunnel up to the Zoo, rode the regular zoo train around the loop (35 minutes round trip), caught the steam train for it's first run around the loop, had lunch, rode the Max back downtown, stopped into the best toy store downtown, then drove home... exhausted. No wonder Owen fell asleep a half hour before his normal bedtime.
The boy loves trains.
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