Aboard the Skunk Train

This winter I finally packed up and moved the massive Thomas the Tank Engine collection to the basement. The boys only occasionally played with their trains, and they didn't even miss them... I did. It is an end of an era, my little boys weren't preschoolers anymore, and were no longer interested in preschool toys. Alas in the age of Beyblades and Lego Ninjago, trains are for babies.

On the first full day on the Mendocino coast it was supposed to rain. With miserable weather ahead we thought, how fun it would be to ride the Skunk Train. And don't get me wrong, it was fun. The Skunk Train runs through the redwoods from Fort Bragg toward Willits. During the summer you can ride a classic steam engine. In the Winter/Spring your engine is a good old fashioned diesel train.

The train has been following the Redwood Route since 1885. Originally to reach logging encampments, the modern version is for tourists.

But, for our boys the magic is gone. The wonder and amazement and pure joy of all things trains is gone. In its place mild enjoyment and curiosity.

The Skunk Train is quite a time investment. Our train left at 10 am and returned four hours later.  The first half of the ride the boys were great. They listened to the conductor's stories, lead Jonathan to the outside train to view the 1,000 year old redwood trees, and happily looked outside the window.

We then had lunch as the train was turned around to be sent back to Fort Bragg. After lunch the boys were no longer interested in the train. Caleb managed to make friends with other kids who were a little bored of the train ride too. They looked out the window, told jokes and shared secrets.

Xander didn't have as much success, so he played video games on Jonathan's phone. I asked the boys if they liked the Skunk Train, and the answer was a resounding "yes, but..." But for them, once is plenty for the foreseeable future. I don't think we would have had the same response from three and four year old Xander and Caleb. I guess Jonathan and I will let our membership at the California Railroad Museum elapse. Sigh...