A Weekend Adventure: East Texas (Day 2)

Every year when we go to Palestine for the Polar Express, we make plans to extend our time in East Texas, and every year, the weather intervenes and we have to cancel our plans. This year, since our trip was in November instead of late December, we were finally able to extend our trip and explore some new-to-us parts of East Texas.

On Sunday, we headed out for an early morning hike at Fairfield Lake State Park. The boys found a "Little Lake" library

and a big hunk of petrified wood.

 It was a beautiful, cool day, and we chose to hike the nature trail.

The nature trail could have been named "Spiderweb Trail" since we went through hundreds of spiderwebs. Gene led the way and was covered in sticky webs by the end of the 2-mile hike.

It was pretty, nevertheless.

By the time we had shed our sticky outer layers, we were ready to hit the road. Our destination was Athens, where we discovered that the first hamburger was made (there are several claims to fame for this, but Athens's claim is as legit as any of the others). 

Athens: Hamburgers - Heritage - Texas

We love small Texas towns!

We also love local craft breweries and were excited to visit the Athens Brewing Company for lunch,

 beer,

and games. 

What a fun little spot!

Our final stop for the day was the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, just outside of Athens.

We learned all about fisheries in Texas, explored the grounds and took a tram tour of the outdoor hatchery. 

 

There was more to explore, so we'll have to go back for another visit!

A Weekend Adventure: The Polar Express

For the first time, the boys both had the entire week off for Thanksgiving this year. We decided back to head up to Palestine for our annual adventure on the Polar Express the weekend before Thanksgiving. We booked our tickets back in August, not realizing that Gene would have back-to-back out-of-the country trips right before our weekend getaway, but we ended up having a delightful time, as always.

We didn't leave town until late in the morning on Saturday, and only stopped briefly at the Sam Houston statue in Huntsville.

We arrived in Palestine and checked in to our room,

just in time to enjoy some coffee and downtime before heading to ride the Polar Express.

Will is too big to wear pajamas on the train these days, but Henry was game to wear his.

Silent Night, Yeah Right! pajamas

The weather was beautiful. It happens nearly every year that we leave a balmy Houston and drive through a cold front on our way north. The weather was crisp and cool by the time we boarded the train. 

Pure joy

This year, we rode in the Presidential car, which had comfortable chairs instead of tables and booths.

Meeting the conductor

Reading and eating

We made it to the North Pole

And then Santa came aboard! Will received the very first gift from Santa.

 

This year, we were invited to the front of the train to see the steam engine in action!

It was delightful and we were sprayed by the steam as we trundled along the tracks.

As always, riding the Polar Express is completely magical and one of our most treasured holiday traditions.