Easter Beagle Express

The train boarded in Palestine, Texas at 11:00am. We got there and boarded the open-air car. There wasn't windows. I wasn't too excited about that, but it turned out to be okay. Once we took off the kids loved it. Ella loved to hear the train whistle and Brody was taking it all in. The scenery was beautiful. You'd never guess we were in Texas. The land was green and lush, there was lilly pads. They had dogwoods and some pine trees. It really was pretty. Not that Texas isnt pretty - you just don't think of greenery in Texas, you think of dirt and tumbleweeds (which makes up most of the state). While on board Snoopy came to visit all the kids! Brody was excited, Ella wasn't. He came and said hi to everyone and then went on his way. At 12:30 we arrived at the depot in Rusk. We had camped there because it was better for tent campers and then we drove to Palestine to ride the train back to Rusk. At the depot we had a picnic lunch and the Easter Bunny made a special appearance. Brody and Ella got to color and Brody got a skin sticker (aka tattoo). By the time we boarded the train to go back both kids were worn out. They both slept most of the ride back. We got back to the depot around 3:30 and after a few pictures we hopped in the car to start the ride back home. We stopped somewhere south of Dallas at a Carls Jr. They don't have many of them in Texas so whenever we get see one we like to stop and get some food. It felt like a long trip home with two tired kids, but it was a really fun day. I think for most of the ride home Brody was in the back seat whining that we needed to go back to the trains. We got home after a couple of detours at 8:45. We rushed to color easter eggs and take baths before getting the kids into bed just before 10:00. Needless to say - everyone came home from church needing a nap.