Do I hear a train song?
Alan and I have been listening to new children’s CD called “Fun and Folk” containing various train songs like the Wabash Cannon Ball, Train is A-Comin and Little Red Caboose (which I have been singing to him since his birth). A few days ago I began telling him how we would soon be riding on a real train. “Like at Barnes and Noble” he responded referring to the toy trains in the children’s section. “No, a real train!” I repeated. Such anticipatory statements are part of the fun, especially when combined with train songs.
As we readied for our trip to the Catskill Mountain Rail Road, we played our train songs. (His conductor hat is now too small, but he wore his Thomas-the-Train sneakers). With both his love of music (and his guitar) along with trains, I thought how wonderful it would be to someday take him on a train that also featured live music. But for now, Alan and I set off to meet my parents for another family outing.
We picked the perfect day for a train ride. Located in Mount Pleasant, on the ride up I silently reminisced about living near the Ashokan, tubing down the Esopus, dining at Sweet Sue’s for oversized blueberry pancakes and swimming in waterholes. These mountains are by far my favorite.
Arriving at the train depot an hour early gave us time to explore. I showed Alan bumble bees (there were many!), we sang more train songs, and of course we found more stones to throw. After Pop-Pop and Bootie arrived, I went to the red caboose gift store. I purchased a train (which Alan clutched the entire trip), and a larger conductor hat for him.
My son has never been so well behaved. He happily (and patiently) waited for the ride to start, playing with this new train and “running aroundie”. Pop-Pop was the first one to see the train coming. I lifted Alan up in my arms as it approached and watched him smile from ear to ear. Just like in the songs, the conductor said “All Aboard”, which I believe is now Alan’s favorite new saying.
Alan and I have been listening to new children’s CD called “Fun and Folk” containing various train songs like the Wabash Cannon Ball, Train is A-Comin and Little Red Caboose (which I have been singing to him since his birth). A few days ago I began telling him how we would soon be riding on a real train. “Like at Barnes and Noble” he responded referring to the toy trains in the children’s section. “No, a real train!” I repeated. Such anticipatory statements are part of the fun, especially when combined with train songs.
As we readied for our trip to the Catskill Mountain Rail Road, we played our train songs. (His conductor hat is now too small, but he wore his Thomas-the-Train sneakers). With both his love of music (and his guitar) along with trains, I thought how wonderful it would be to someday take him on a train that also featured live music. But for now, Alan and I set off to meet my parents for another family outing.
We picked the perfect day for a train ride. Located in Mount Pleasant, on the ride up I silently reminisced about living near the Ashokan, tubing down the Esopus, dining at Sweet Sue’s for oversized blueberry pancakes and swimming in waterholes. These mountains are by far my favorite.
Arriving at the train depot an hour early gave us time to explore. I showed Alan bumble bees (there were many!), we sang more train songs, and of course we found more stones to throw. After Pop-Pop and Bootie arrived, I went to the red caboose gift store. I purchased a train (which Alan clutched the entire trip), and a larger conductor hat for him.
My son has never been so well behaved. He happily (and patiently) waited for the ride to start, playing with this new train and “running aroundie”. Pop-Pop was the first one to see the train coming. I lifted Alan up in my arms as it approached and watched him smile from ear to ear. Just like in the songs, the conductor said “All Aboard”, which I believe is now Alan’s favorite new saying.
You have the option to sit inside or outside. We chose to sit in the open car. Alan planted himself onto the bench holding his toy train. As I said, my son has not been so well behaved. He sat there for the entire ride – close to an hour. (an unprecidented event) Several times I asked him if he wanted to get up and walk around, but he kept on saying no. He just enjoyed watching the trees and mountains and fresh air. He smiled at me every time he heard the train bell and whistle. (Did I mention how well behaved he was?)
My father was disappointed with the view, but I found being on a train in the woods to be very special. The creek along side us eventually spills into the reservoir. If I had to guess, I don’t think this was a watershed weekend, because the water didn’t seem too rough. The train stopped in the woods alongside the creek for about 10 minutes for a mini-lecture about local train history. It was hard for me to hear, but my mom reported that they are trying to renovate the tracks to extend the trip all the way to Kingston.
The ride ended with me finally coaxing Alan up from the bench for the last five minutes. I held him up so he could get a better view. We “spied” a toy house, a tree house in the woods, and of course a “wiggles car” as we approached civilization again. We waved to the cars as we crossed Rt. 28, and thanked the conductor for a wonderful trip.
For those mommies who read my blog, I definitely recommend this as a relaxing family outing. Here’s their website. http://www.catskillmtrailroad.com/
My father was disappointed with the view, but I found being on a train in the woods to be very special. The creek along side us eventually spills into the reservoir. If I had to guess, I don’t think this was a watershed weekend, because the water didn’t seem too rough. The train stopped in the woods alongside the creek for about 10 minutes for a mini-lecture about local train history. It was hard for me to hear, but my mom reported that they are trying to renovate the tracks to extend the trip all the way to Kingston.
The ride ended with me finally coaxing Alan up from the bench for the last five minutes. I held him up so he could get a better view. We “spied” a toy house, a tree house in the woods, and of course a “wiggles car” as we approached civilization again. We waved to the cars as we crossed Rt. 28, and thanked the conductor for a wonderful trip.
For those mommies who read my blog, I definitely recommend this as a relaxing family outing. Here’s their website. http://www.catskillmtrailroad.com/
PostScript --- Do I hear another train song?
Here are the lyrics to a song from "Fun and Folk" that I just can't get out of my head!!! It has a gospel sound to it, and it's very catchy! (It's a library CD so I'll have it returned shortly should your child also be train-obsessed)
Train is A-Comin'
SpiritualWritten By: UnknownCopyright Unknown
Train is a-comin', oh, yes
Train is a-comin', oh, yes
Train is a-comin', Train is a-comin' Train is a-comin', oh, yes
Better get your ticket, oh, yes
Better get your ticket, oh, yes
Better get your ticket, Better get your ticket, Better get your ticket, oh, yes
Room for many more, oh, yes
Room for many more, oh, yes
Room for many more, Room for many more Room for many more, oh, yes
Train is a-leavin', oh, yes
Train is a-leavin', oh, yes
Train is a-leavin', Train is a-leavin' Train is a-leavin', oh, yes
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