Oct. 8, 2008 - San Diego Train Trip
We went on an awesome trip to San Diego on the train today! A homeschool friend set up a group ticket for us all and that makes the cost so good that you just HAVE to go. We had to get up at 6am and leave at 6:45 to get to the Irvine train station. That was fine for Jake and I, but dragging Tom out of bed and out the door that early is darn near impossible and can be hazardous to your health. After much coaxing and bribing with donuts we got him to the truck with a blanket and pillow and he was awake enough by the time we got there.
On the train was great. We had some friends we already know well and made some new ones. I love taking the train because I get to sit and relax (well maybe not that much) and talk to my friends instead of concentrating on getting there.
When we got there we walked to the Maritime Museum at the Star of India. Our friends didn't want to see it but the boys did, so we parted ways and planned on meeting them for lunch later. The boys and I shopped for awhile at the gift shop and bought a cool book called “By The Great Horn Spoon”. Then we checked out the museum on the old steam boat. We spent almost an hour in there and then looked around the Medea (I think). There was a lot of stuff about sailing and how they navigated in different eras. And a whole section about fishing for tuna that just fascinated Tom. He wants to go on a fishing trip now.
Then we went over to the Surprise. It used to be called the Rose and it was used in the movie Master and Commander. We have to see it now. A guy was working on the boat and asked if we wanted a tour. He took us all over the ship and explained all about it and showed us the things that were just for the movie. A lot of it was just made so that it looked like a real old ship but it didn't actually work. Then he told us that he was in the movie as an extra and showed us some cool pictures. He told us all about making the movie. He said he was so impressed with the boys questions and how much they knew about boating and war. He said he was getting ready to go home for the day and thought he might do something fun so he offered a tour to the kids. He was really nice and the boys were just so impressed by him.
After that, we went over to the Star of India. We didn't spend much time there because it was already 1:30 and we were hungry! We never did meet up with our friends until we got back to the train! I just couldn't pull them away from the ships. We walked down to the Shoreline mall place and had lunch, listened to a South American band (that Tom loved) and bought some trinkets to take home. We got ice cream cones and walked back to the train station.
The ride home was loud and exciting. All the kids were wound up. We were all yelling back and forth and playing and being silly. It was a long day. On the way back to the car, Jake went a little too far in the keep-a-way game they were playing and Tom had a complete melt down. Funny thing is, I knew it was coming. I just took him by the wrist and dragged him to the truck. A few minutes later he was holding my hand and saying sorry. I so wish we could avoid those types of things, but what can you do.
We're home now, relaxing. My throat hurts from talking and laughing all day! Jake is back at the Force Unleashed and Tom is checking out RuneScape because Cameron told him to. We're going to bed when I finish writing this because I'm exhausted!! It's 8:30!
| 
