Elizabeth and I went on a field trip sponsored by Stillaguamish Valley School to the Lake Whatcom Railway. We arrived at the railway's location and were first able to get a bit of a tour. They have a 100 year old steam engine on the premises but they don't use it because it costs too much to operate. The owner said it costs $1000 to take it out of the train barn and the last time they did it was for his birthday. He said it was a pretty expensive birthday present. We rode the railway pulled by a diesel engine. The Whatcom railway definitely feels like a mom and pop kind of operation. The engines and cars are not in pristine condition. There was visible rust on both inside and outside the cars. They had a bathroom on the train. Inside they offered a portable chemical toilet and a bottle of hand sanitizer. We were told that upgrading the bathrooms is their next goal. I think that's a good idea! We were told the cars were heated, and technically they were. They used portable propane heaters while the cars were parked but once underway, there was no more heat. But, listening to the owner talk about his engine, I could tell it's a true labor of love for him to keep the railway going.
Elizabeth's first stop was the dining car. I gave her a quarter and she happily returned with five pieces of licorice. The train left Wickersham (north of Sedro Wolley) and headed up the tracks. I kept waiting for it to pick up speed but it continued to creep along. Apparently, they don't have much track to use so they stretch out the trip by taking it slow. I know I could ride my bike as fast as we were going! We passed through a short tunnel, went along a lake shore and were soon at the stopping point. They had a picnic area there as well as an old hand pump cart which the kids could operate.
A short walk from the picnic area brought us to this waterfall. It was quite attractive as it cascaded down the rock shelf. It seemed like it belongs in the tropics, not in rainy Western Washington!
The school put every one's name in hat and drew the names of three children who would get to ride in the engine on the way back. Elizabeth was one of the lucky ones! She had a great time up there. Her one regret was that she'd left the camera back with me. The school is providing a lot of field trip opportunities this year that Elizabeth and I will be able to take advantage of. I'm counting those field trips as our mom and me day. This was our first one and it was definitely a success.
Dad and Miriam Day
Dode took Miriam to a pumpkin patch/corn maze for her special day with dad. One of her favorite things to do at the farm was run around in a giant Hamster Wheel.
Here she is suited up and ready to go.
As they walked, the wheel rolled across the ground.
They also had a fishing pond and Miriam caught and released lots of fish.
This rubber duck regatta looks like a lot of fun. Maybe I can do something similar for day camp?
playing in the corn filled sandbox
Getting pulled around on the train
in the maze
bridges like these gave them a bird's eye view of the maze
They went on a hay ride. Miriam thought it was way too boring. Here she is taking a nap because it's not "exciting enough".
The hay ride took them out to a field where they watched pumpkins being launched in this compressed air canyon. It would launch the pumpkins over 200 yards.
They finished off with getting a pumpkin. Our rule? You have to be able to carry it. She wanted one that was almost up to her waist but couldn't budge it. She had a great day and couldn't wait to tell me about all the fun things they did when she got home.
The Funny Things Kids Say
a few fun things we've heard lately....
Anastaya was going babysitting. The mom asked if Miriam would come too to play with her son. When I asked Miriam if she'd go if I paid her a dollar to "help", she cocked her head to the side and said, "How about $2?" Silly girl!
William (who has a milk allergy) watching Elizabeth stir up some extra chocolately chocolate milk, "Is there milk in chocolate milk Elizabeth?"
Miriam loves to cuddle at night instead of going to bed. We sent her on her way, telling her it was a school night and she needed her rest. "I liked it better when I could still cuddle" I told her, "But now you're a big girl who goes to school." Her response, "I'm still little!"
Miriam and William looking at photos of our trip to Disneyland & Universal Studios.
William, "Is he real?"
Miriam, "Well, I don't see a zipper so he must be real!"
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