Our small church HS group went on a field trip this week.  It's an annual event, but it was our first time.  In an effort to get more people to tride the train and get youth involved, Amtrack gives a great group rate to large parties.  All 7 of us rode for $36 round trip.  Woohoo.  Our group leader scheduled the trip on a "Passport Day".  SB county designates several days of the year for students to visit museums and attractions for free.  Each student can bring one person with them for free too.  Since we have 3 students, the other 3 of us were free. (Baby not included)  We had our pick of over 20 SB tourist attractions for free.

We started the day at the train station at 7am.  On the 15 minute drive to the station, I realized that I'd forgotten the Bjorn.  It was too late to go back and get it, we'd miss the train.  I had brought the stroller, but intended it to be for the toddler, not the baby.  He spends 90% of his day strapped to me or in my arms so I was VERY nervous about how he'd do sitting/laying in the stroller all day.  I was also stressed about how I'd keep my extremely independent and strong willed toddler from running away from me all day.  She's not a very good listener right now.  Add to that, she's fearless and sees no harm in wandering off alone.  So, if the baby was in the stroller, that meant she'd be free.  AHH!  Holding back tears, I informed dh that we'd likely be purchasing a new baby carrier in Santa Barbara. (sigh)  The other alarming issue was the weather.  It had rained the night before and more showers were in the forecast.   Would we be stuck in SB all day in the rain with a newborn and no vehicle?  Nope.  God was merciful and held the rain for us.  It was a beautiful day, if you like cloudy and cool (I do).  Not a drop of rain. PTL!

We got a whole train car to ourgroup, which was nice for the extremely excited & rowdy children.  We could let them play and move around without disturbing other passengers.  The parents chatted while the kids crawled all over the car like little monkeys.  I was conflicted with how to handle the situation.  On the one hand, this was our first train ride and I didn't want to set expectations that it's okay to behave this way.  On the other hand, we were on a special trip and they were not disturbing anyone... but me.  I let them wander the aisle and move around but I drew the line at running and crawling over seats.  Excited as they were, it was not a playground afterall.

When we arrived in SB, the families all parted ways to go off on our own adventures.  We set out for the wharf and The Ty Warner Sea Center.  It was just a short 2 block walk from the station. It was not quite open yet so we stopped for coffee on the way.  Once inside the kids had a blast exploring the interactive exhibits.  There was a Wet Deck with an open hole to the water below.  There was a guide to show the kids all about being a marine biologist.  They scooped up sand from the sea floor and examined it under the microscope.  They learned about the tides and how the shoreline changes during different seasons.  They learned about our coastal islands and the animals that call them home.  It was FANTASTIC!  The little man slept in my arms the whole time.  After a few hours exploring the underwater world, we decided to move on to the zoo.

We took the trolley since it was too far to walk and it's only $.25 to ride and it drops you right at the zoo entrance.  We've been to this zoo several times in the past, but it had been a while.  There have been many changes since our last visit.  The elephants had a new home and they brought in a snow leopard.  The lions were awake and playful.  We watched as Papa Lion tried to get Mama Lion to play and she was NOT in the mood. (HaHa,  Just like humans, he nudged and swatted and she growled and walked away. HaHa)  We were sad to learn that the crooked-neck giraffe had died a few years ago.  She was always a neat sight to see.  I had packed a lunch so, we sat near the elephants and munched while we watched them bathe themselves in dirt.  Then the kids had a blast 'surfing' down the new hill at the playground.  They took plastic trays from the lunch area and turned them into sleds & surfboards.  Too Funny!!  MissB had fun rolling down the hill and then teaching several other tots how.  The baby boy was a prince, in and out of sleep and mostly in the stroller.  Dh pushed MissB in the zoo stroller while I pushed the baby in our stroller.  It worked out wonderfully!  He didn't fuss much at all. PTL!

We had to be back at the train station by 5pm, so we took the 3:30 trolley back.  We had an hour to kill so we went for an early dinner at Subway.  Several other families had the same idea, so the place was packed.  Invasion of the Grace Baptist Homeschoolers. HeeHee
The train was due at 5:30p and showed just 5 mins late.  SWEET! 
The ride home was fun for the kids and tiring for the parents.  The kids were all amped up on sweets and overtired.  It seemed to take longer to get home than it did to get to SB.  No one lingered in the station.  Everyone was tired and ready to be done!  We got home at 8pm and had the kids in bed by 8:15.  DH and I were soon to follow.

It was a fun trip and I look forward to next year.  Here's some pix of our day:

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!