We had the most magical, wonderful, FUNTASTIC day on Saturday.† We got invited to go on a train ride.† Our friends, Kathy and Sophie, had 4 tickets and shared with us!† We were seriously dancing Friday night we were so excited.
Saturday morning at 4:30 AM when the alarm went off there was still excitement but not much dancing.† Man that is early.† Dark early.† Middle of the night early.† “Why did we wake up this early” early.† But we stumbled around and got ready.† We were supposed to meet them at their house, about 30 minutes away, at 6:15.† We would have made it too however we got stopped by a TRAIN.† Ironic yes?† We got there about 5 minutes late, which is early for us. :)† Kathy and Sophie were waiting in the car and off we went.† We were headed to Chattanooga.† Now Chattanooga is one of my favorite cities but Kei has never been there.† I lived near there briefly in another life time and always loved it.† We were all raring to go!
We had a blast on the trip up there.† We talked and laughed and listened to Mama Mia!† Hey we are all show girls!† We arrived right on time and went into the train station to join the group.† This was the Chickamauga Turn trip.† They have all sorts of ‘trips’.† We definitely want to go back soon.† We got our tickets and boarded the train.
It is an older train that has been restored.† It looks just like a …well, a TRAIN.† This was my first train trip and Kei’s too.
The trip took almost 2 hours.† Our destination was Chickamauga, Georgia.† We had a uniformed Civil War reenactor with us telling us interesting facts and pointing out the places we passed.
This cemetery was built in 1863. By 1870, more than 12,800 interments were complete: 8,685 known and 4,189 unknown. The dead included men who fell at the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. There were also a number of reinterments from the surrounding area, including Athens, Charleston and locations along the line of Gen. Shermanís march to Atlanta. A large number of menó1,798 remainsówho died at the Battle of Chickamauga were relegated to unknowns during the reinterment process.† It was beautiful and I would have loved to get out and really explore it.
After the almost 2 hour trip we arrived in Chickamauga, Georgia.† This town was founded in 1891.† The 1863 Battle of Chickamauga occurred just east of the city and Gordon-Lee Mansion served as a hospital during that battle.† It is a lovely little town with shops, cafes and more.† We meandered down the streets and into the wonderful shops.
We saw several really cool things.† A skirt that just screamed Kei, a pillow we both loved and paint cans for Trick or Treating.† They had Velcro fabric so you could change them out.
After looking all over town for a Diet Dr Pepper I finally found one and happily boarded the train. We went straight to the dining car for lunch.† It was so nice, linen tableclothes and so much silverware I had to laugh at Kei and Sophie’s questions.† In all honesty, we DON’T use settings like this EVER.
It was a yummy meal.† Nothing fancy, croissant sandwiches, potato salad, cole slaw, potato chips, fruit salad.† We enjoyed it so much and we were ON A TRAIN! That was something I can cross off my Bucket List!† Before we were able to eat dessert we had the 2nd stop on our trip.† We stopped at the†Wilder Tower in Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park.† I forgot my camera and had to run back to the train while the girls climbed the tower.
I was about to climb up there….got about 90 steps up and they passed me coming down.† I decided I had gone far enough!† Our guide was doing a speech about the battle that took place here.† He was very dramatic.
And of course Kei found a dog.† Kei ALWAYS finds a dog.
When we got back on the train it was time for dessert.† There were 3 to choose from and we each got a different kind.† Yummy!
Kei and Soph decided to be silly.† They do silly well.
We went back to our seats and the girls wanted to explore the train, so off they went.† They saw some graffiti that they liked.
We saw the bane of the South’s existence – kudzu.† I love kudzu but I have never had to deal with it.†
We all went to the back of the train and stayed for about 30 minutes.† It was so very cool.
There is a tunnel we had to go through.† On the way back we were outside when it was coming up.† It is such a tight fit, they tell you to NOT stick your hands out or they will hit the sides of the tunnel.
It was almost time to return to the station.† None of us were ready for it to end.† I can’t believe this was a 6 1/2 hour trip.† It just sped by.
This was seriously one of the best days we have ever had.† We are still talking about it days later.† We want to go back.† Thank you so much Kathy and Sophie for letting us come with you.† I want to take everyone and go again!† It was that amazing.
I love our life.† Right now, this minute in time…it is so perfect† I love that I finally get it.† I finally understand what is important.† It is all the things I have right now.†
Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen
“Life is just like an old time rail journey … delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.” ~Gordon B. Hinckley
What fun! I’ve never done a train trip here in the US, but have been lucky enough to visit Europe a few times and have traveled on trains there several times. We even did the Eurostar through the “Chunnel”. There’s just something about a train ride that is so special.
Yours looks like great fun, and very informative too! Your photos are fabulous…and those desserts look fabulous too!
Karen, how did I miss commenting on such a fantastic day??! This looks so wonderfulóevery single second of it. I loved what you saw, what you felt, the smiles you smiled, the things you learnedóit all looks spectacular. I loved the photo of Kei sitting there inside the tunnel. I could feel your excitement and your joy. Beautiful. Thank you, so much, for sharing such a magical time here 🙂
oh my gosh a long day indeed. we just love train rides and all things travel. 🙂 i enjoyed reading about your trip!!
that looked and sounded like so much fun! love the picture of you and kei together. 😉
I’m so glad you had a great day! i love the photos! You crack me up with your Dr. Pepper!
That sounds like so much fun. I have been on a train many times. But that train looks so different!!
Sounds like you had fun!!!
Grace
P.S Tell Kei That I said hi 🙂
Seriously. That could possibly be the best day EVER! Now I want to go visit my inlaws, drive to Chattanooga, meet up with you and make you do it all over again!!!!!!
Oh my word, how fun, how fun!!! And so good to see Kathy & Sophie’s sweet faces too! Looks like a wonderful adventure and now you have me curious to check into one ourselves. 🙂
AWESOME!!!
And I WANT THAT SNOOPY SHIRT!!
This trip looks like it was SO. MUCH. FUN!! Thanks for sharing your day 🙂
Oh, how we love trains! My autistic son has always loved trains and still loves Thomas, even though that isn’t really a train. We have taken a few small train trips, but yours sounds magical. Wonderful!
We even took a train when Steven and I were married to our honeymoon destination! It was wonderful to get on the train in my wedding dress and sleeping on a train was wonderful! We woke up to breakfast and then we were there! Loved seeing your fun, fun day.