A Day out with Thomas

What fun awaits us at the other side of the bridge?

We visited Roaring Camp today for the first time for the spectacular "Day Out With Thomas" event.  We had purchased the tickets months ago (it sells out early).  When it was our day to ride, it suck up on us quickly.  I think we had originally intended for all of us to go (we purchased 3 tickets), but when the time came, just Mal and I went, leaving Daddy at home for some quality baby time

With the very quiet Thomas

Mal was pretty excited all the way up, abut then was pretty nervous when there was inexplicable gridlock traffic on the way up the hill to Santa Cruz.  Fortunately, things cleared up and we made it to our schedule train.While waiting for our train to come in, we saw some friends who were on the train ride before ours.  We met them and stood in line together to get pictures with Thomas.  While waiting to get up and close with the guest of honor, Mal asked if Thomas was going to talk to him.  Margo told him that Thomas would talk when he is on the train.  Mal could not wait.

Watching the wheels across the bridge

Once we got on the train, Mal was much more interested in checking out the mechanics of the train.  He spent most of the time looking over the side of the car to try to see the wheels on the track, or how the train moved over the bridge.  We were riding on Thomas, and the scenery is beautiful, but he just wanted to know how the train worked.  When the ride was over, he asked me why Thomas didn't talk like Margot had said he would.  I reminded him of Thomas' "voice" that narrated while we were riding.  He thought about it for a second and then said, "That was just a recording of a man on the speakers.  That wasn't Thomas!"  Can't get one over on that kid.

Admiring his first face painting

After the ride, there were all sorts of other activities for kids.  There were bounce houses, and music and Mal had his face painted for the first time.  Most of the kids were getting trains and cars and spiders on their faces, but Mal walked right up and asked for a rainbow.  I have no idea where he got the idea for a rainbow (there was no rainbow on the choices, only trains), but it is what he wanted.  He looked so cute and wanted to look at it for the rest of the day.  We ate our picnic lunch and headed back after a very busy morning.