Trains!

I went to Northlandz with my sister and niece and nephew today.  Niece is three and nephew is one.  Northlandz is a huge indoor train display - I think the biggest in the country.  I have always wanted to go there.  I secretly wish I had a train set.  My dad used to have one but sold it because he never used it.  Sigh...

This place was just amazing!  It seems to have been built largely by one man.  Then, there were dollhouses on display as well as other toys.  I was so in my element.  There was a huge dollhouse that was larger than the one at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History.  It made me wish I had the time to keep on working on my dollhouse.  This one was build by a woman with the same surname as the man who built the bulk of the train buildings and sets.  There really should be a book about this place.  And there were more adults there than children.

Lulu was so well behaved and just a dream to walk with around there.  Actually, I held her most of the time.  She is quite tiny.  The houses, tracks, bridges, scenery....  It was just amazing.  Then, we took a ride on the little outdoor train through the woods.  There is a part where we can see the vehicles on Route 202.  I asked Lulu whether she liked cars or trains better?  She answered trains.  Right on, cutie pie!  We are like two peas in a pod.

I have always loved trains.  I like watching freight trains, looking for tags on them, riding trains, and looking at the scenery that is not visible by car.  Someone asked me recently if hubby and I rent a car when we travel abroad.  Heck no!  Riding the train through the English countryside from industrial Manchester to Medieval York was beautiful.  Then the ride from Prague to Budapest was just wonderful - forests, flatlands, villages, bike paths.  I just wish train travel in the US was more available and affordable.  The tickets for trips sell out so far in advance and they are so expensive.  I hope I can take Lulu on a train ride someday.