Last March (2013), we had planned a family vacation that was cut short since Bacon got another ear infection and was throwing up. We finally finished it in October of last year with the Steam Train Ride from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO.
It was somewhat of a crazy adventure. Tim's parents had come for a few days and watched the boys while we went got to spend some time to ourselves. Then we packed everyone up and headed down to Mexico to drop Grandpa and Grandma off with Tim's sister and her family. She had just had a baby, another little girl.
We tried to start the van and it wouldn't start. Tim thought it was because the radio had been on and the doors open while we packed. We jumped it and took off. We stopped in Lordsburg, NM for lunch at a McDonald's and when we got out the van would start. Luckily there was a nice gentleman leaving and he helped us out. We drove to the US/Mexico border to make the grandparent switch and that was a crazy road! There were huge grasshoppers all over! We stopped just outside the border crossing station and the boys, with grandpa, picked off the dead ones from our grill using sticks.
We made the switch and the van wouldn't start. Thankfully we were able to get it going with the help of our brother-in-law and headed on towards Albuquerque. We stopped at an auto parts store and bought a new battery. Not what we had planned but it sure was nice! We made it to our hotel and were so happy! Tim was able to use his points and we got a free night at a Marriott. I officially decided after that night we are no longer a 1 hotel room family. We need 2 rooms for all of us to sleep well! I was sandwiched in between Pach and Pickle. I ended up sleeping along the bottom of the bed and then finished the night off next to Bacon, who was sleeping with Tim.
We made a stop at Target on the way out of Albuquerque. The boys needed some winter gear. They weren't selling it yet in Tucson. Pach was happy with matching Angry Birds Space gloves and hat. The other boys just got hats.
We made it to our hotel in Durango and promptly headed to a place to eat. Tim had been there before and really liked it. We had placed our order and just gotten our drinks when Bacon decided to throw up. Yep, what a way start! AAAGGGGHHHHHH! Tim took him out to get him cleaned up while our table got cleaned up, we changed our order to go and left. I did get to eat my clam chowder when it was still hot. The burger I ordered was ok. I'm sure if we'd eaten the food fresh and hot, it would have been amazing! And that was the only incident with Bacon. I did have to go out and buy some laundry detergent to wash clothes though. *sigh*
The next morning, we packed up sack lunches and snacks and headed out to the train! The boys were so excited!!! The love trains! We got pictures and they could hardly contain themselves. The train ride to Silverton was beautiful! There was a river and of course, lots of trees, shrubbery and general greenary. The older boys were so excited because we got to buy hot chocolate from the food car. It was really cold! They took turns looking out the window and we had to be careful they didn't stick their heads too far out the window. There were lots of smiles! Bacon and I took a nap during the 4 hr ride.
In Silverton we walked around a little bit. We got a patch for our collection, a pin and deck of cards for me the boys each got a train patch and a little engine. We had lunch down by the river. The boys spent a lot of time throwing rocks in the river and running all over. We did manage to get them to eat most of their lunch during that time. They were just in heaven! And it had warmed up, which was really nice. We bought some fudge and then got on the train to head back.
Bacon did not do as well on the way back to Durango. He enjoyed it for awhile and then was ready to get off the train. I ended up taking him to an open car. He did better there and eventually fell asleep. I took him back to our regular seat and took another nap too! After we got back, we found a nice little Italian place to eat and everyone was happy. Pach got the spaghetti and meatball for kids. Yes, just one meatball but it was huge! I think it the size of a baseball but it could have been slightly bigger.
We got back to the hotel to take baths and start packing up. I thought all the excitement was over but I was wrong. Bacon had a diaper issue and I ended up doing 2 more loads of laundry. He couldn't have been wearing clothes that could go in the wash together! AAGGHHH!!! I think our next trip I might take laundry stuff just to be safe.
We made it home and the we really did have a great time. The boys loved eating breakfast at the hotels and IHOP. They get so excited with the different places and really enjoyed the train. We even splurged on the way back from Silverton and bought popcorn and soda as a snack. It may have been a quicker trip but it was a lot of fun.
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The boys in front of our train. Yes, it was cold
enough for the gloves and hats. |
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| The side view of the train. |
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| It was all we could do to keep him from climbing out of the train. |
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The boys LOVED it. We had 2 seats but they wanted to squish and look out
the same window. |
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| In Silverton having fun. |
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| Pickle |
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| Pachman |
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Walking down to the river in Silverton.
We had lunch there. |
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| Me eating lunch and the boys throwing rocks. |
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A little daddy alone time throwing rocks. That was the only way to keep
Bacon from jumping or falling in the river. |
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Older boys getting in on the rock throwing fun. Again, a safe way to keep
them from falling in the river too. |
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| The main men in my life having a blast. |
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| On the way back to Durango. |
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| Silly Pach on the way back to Durango. |
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| Silly Pickle on the way back to Durango. |
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| Fun with daddy. |
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I believe this was nap number 3 for Bacon and myself. Loved the cuddle time
with him.
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