Thomas the Train Outing in Bryson City, NC

...and here we go again off to another "Day out with Thomas". We didn't tell Luke and Maran what we were doing but told them we had to go to bed early...and I won't let you know how that worked out for us.

Off we went at 8:45 in the morning to Bryson City. By far this is not a ghastly hour but when you have well over a three hour drive with two toddler of which one who gets deathly car sick you just have to prepare for it all. Dressed in their new Thomas outfits we hit Brueggers and then hit the highway. It is/was a nerve wracking drive. I felt like every three to seven minutes we were asking Maran if she was OK. Of course in our journeys we now have to plan for numerous car sick stops and we take the route that has the LEAST amount of 'Stop and Go'. So Route 66 basically has been replaced by I 85. It's no big deal but the 'waiting in anticipation for it to happen' is the worst. Last time it occurred I was able to tell. Not sure if it was my ONE AND ONLY PERFECT MOMMY MOMENT but the color in the face, the expression and all told the FULL STORY. We were able to get the bag (compliments of US AIRWAYS) front in center just in time.

We decided not to tell them until we got really close. Of course Luke had already pretty much figured it out. When Daddy handed him his new "THOMAS DAY OUT" hat it just confirmed what he already knew and had confirmed from the grimace on my face. Then Daddy gave them their lanyard's that allowed them to hang their ticket around their necks. The complimentary Thomas whistles never made it out of the bag and left the car and went straight to the recycle bin. Call me bad mommy and gasp in horror but how many whistles do you really need? Allow me to help you on this one..... WE DIDN'T NEED ANY MORE AT ALL". So there you have it and truth be known we never needed the first one that my sister felt so inclined to give to Luke a few years back.

Maran had ridden the POLAR EXPRESS at Christmas but had never ridden Thomas. She jumped up and down and put her hand over her mouth in awe of him. We had our pictures taken, went to all the stands to get the much needed stamps for the so called 'FREE GIFT' and sweat like there was no tomorrow. Finally it was our turn. We got on, we rode, we sang all the Thomas songs of which everyone stared at us as we even know the 'less popular tunes'. Luke and Maran immediately befriended the railroad attendant and collected their "Junior Conductor" certificate.

We walked around the quaint little town and checked out a Bed and Breakfast which will be perfect during the holidays for our Night time Polar Express ride. (We take Nammy and Pop Pop with us this time).

We ate lunch (late) at the Mexican restaurant and finally hit the road back to Charlotte. The train pulled back into the Charlotte station around 8 pm with two very tired conductors.

The surprise worked out well and we even got our "REPLACEMENT THOMAS FAMILY PHOTO".... it's about time. (To be posted on Main blog).

Keep on Chuggin'.......

Waiting for our ride on Thomas. 

Choo Choo! (Day out With Thomas July 31, 2011)