Weekend Vacation

We surprised the kids last weekend with a train trip to Santa Barbara!

And Papa came too!

In addition to the train ride, we used all forms of public transportation while in Santa Barbara.  Here are the little two and I on the city bus.  We also rode an open door, water front shuttle, and a 12 passenger van...much to the kids' delight!

We arrived in Santa Barbara Friday night.  On Saturday, we woke up and went straight to the Zoo, where we spent the day.  I was excited because Logan not only wanted to see the animals, but this time, he was also truly interested in learning about them.  He would say, "Mama, I want to know what the condors eat.  Can you read me the sign please?"

That made my day.

No trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo would be complete without quite a few slides down the big AstroTurf hill, and a ride on the Zoo train.

After the Zoo we headed to Stearn's Wharf where Papa took us out to dinner at Moby Dick's, just like he and Nana used to take me when I was little.  Moby Dick's is on the wharf so while you eat dinner, you can watch sailboats, kayaks, ski boats, paddle boarders, and animals go in and out of the harbor.  We got there early enough to catch the sunset at the end of our meal.

After our dinner out, we headed back to the hotel where the children enjoyed a swim in the spa.  Papa and all the kids were sacked out soon after.  Felicity even fell asleep before our bedtime songs were sung.  Zac and I enjoyed a few hours out on the lanai, just talking in the night.

Sunday morning found us eating our breakfast at the train station, as we had an early train.

The train ran a bit late, giving the kids time to look for treasures on the tracks.  They were thrilled to each find a train track spike to take home.

And then off we went again, North on the train, watching our beautiful coast go by.

A WONDERFUL trip!

A trip FINALLY done after years of talking about it.

A trip that made many great memories.