Asheville and Polar Express

The weekend before Christmas we went to Asheville to visit with Mer and ride the Polar Express in Bryson City. We hadn't been to her house in over a year, so it was nice to get back up there for a visit. Friday afternoon and evening we just went out for supper and hung out. It was really rainy and yucky.

Saturday morning we went to the Nature Center. This is where Aidan's love of otters started the year before. They have the best otter exhibit we have seen any where and they had expanded it even more this time.

There were two otters and we got there right at feeding time (rainbow trout), so we really got to see them interact with each other. It was neat to see how they were protective of their food, and how they were enjoying eating but always aware of everything going on around them. They never got aggressive with each other though.

Aidan loved the "otter" slide and would have stayed there all day if we had let him!

They have lots of animals and a really nice set up. We liked seeing the wolves, of course!

Aidan definitely takes after me in some ways. All of their Christmas chickens and geese had blown over, and Aidan had to set them back up again!

Another love Aidan still has is tractors!

It was pretty cold outside that morning so we didn't stick around too long. We grabbed something for lunch and then got ready to head to Bryson City. We were so glad we were able to spend so much time with Mer! We hardly ever get to see her!

Our ride time was 5:00 so we got there around 3:30 so we would have time to get our tickets and check out all the shops. We were pleasantly surprised at how many neat places they had.

We stood there watching this engine and were excited that we were going to get to watch it go by before we had to ride. Thought it would make things more exciting for Aidan. Didn't realize we were at the end of the train and it was going to go the other way! :)

Aidan and Mer at the station looking at the train. Santa was at the station and we tried to get him to have his picture done with him, but of course, he would have no part of it.

The train station

We got our tickets first, and Aidan was thrilled that they gave him a gold ticket just like in the movie. They did a fabulous job right from the beginning and made everything very real and just like the movie/book. They had music from the movie playing the whole time.

Checking out a caboose while we waited

We checked out several of the shops and let Aidan pick out a new set of Thomas cars (troublesome trucks) for his tracks at home. He loved looking at all the Thomas stuff and everyone was super friendly.

At 4:30 we had to get in line to board the train, and Aidan could hardly stand to wait! When we boarded, he had the biggest smile on his face, and it stayed there the entire ride! He was 100% thrilled!!!!

On the train

Mer and Andy

Here is that smile! Otter and Pup got to come along too! They had a basket of goodies waiting on the table for us, and Aidan immediately dove into the gingerbread men! He thought it was hilarious when we teased him about eating his arms, legs, etc. :)

It wasn't dark when the ride first started, but by the time we got to the North Pole it was pretty much dark.

Otter getting into the goodies

The staff on the train were wonderful. They were dressed for their parts, and were so friendly. They were there to make sure everyone had a wonderful time. They came out with hot chocolate while singing the "Hot Chocolate" song from the movie.

They came around and punched the tickets. This is Aidan examining his to see what the guy did.

On the way to the North Pole they read the Polar Express book and we sang Christmas carols. We got to see where Santa, Rudolph and some of the elves live, and actually saw Santa too. They said that if we were lucky, Santa may actually get on the train. Everyone would have to wait and see. Earlier in the ride, a hobo walked through which was really cute. Once we got to the North Pole, they explained that the hobo had gotten thrown off the train and had been placed on another one. Literally, on top of another train! When we went by, he was sitting on top of another train with a campfire! We got it on video but not any pics. Very funny and cute!

On the way back to the station, we were singing again, and Santa showed up! Remember up to this point, Aidan would have nothing to do with him. He walked up to every kid and gave them the "first gift of Christmas", a silver bell just like in the movie. He gave Aidan his bell and asked him if he had been good. Aidan took the bell from him and actually nodded that he had been good. You could tell this really made an impression on him. He couldn't believe that Santa had come to see him and gave him a bell!

Someone requested we sing the twelve days of Christmas. We saved it for the very end, and did a competition between our car and the one next to us. We alternated lines and tried to out-do each other in volume if nothing else. It ended up being a "yelling" match between the two cars and was absolutely hilarious! A truly good time!

The staff were great and they made several obvious references to the real meaning of Christmas, so that made it even better. So many times people want to celebrate "Christmas" but completely take Christ out of it. Can't figure that one out!

Anyway, this was worth every penny and we hope to make it one of our Christmas traditions at least for the next few years before Aidan out grows it. We always have a great and fun time when we are with Mer, so it was definitely a very enjoyable weekend!