This trip was all about Grandma, actually. She and Grandpa flew into Boston last week, where he's going to the World Figure Skating Championships (watching, not competing). My brilliant plan was to fly up there with Pete on Monday, pick up Grandma, and then catch the train back down to DC on Tuesday. What an adventure it would be!
And, to be fair, it was. I thought Pete might spontaneously combust with excitement, his only pressure release being to repeatedly sing "we're going on the Amtrak train" non-stop from 6.20am when he woke up until 11.15am when stepped on board. The train was magnificently on time, chugging romantically past New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore on its way down through forests and coastlines. Coffee was only $2, came in an Amtrak-branded paper cup, and was not awful.
The journey may have been more enjoyable if it was an hour or two shorter but the constant stream of surprises from Grandma's suitcase (Peppa Pig magazines, chocolate buttons, a magnifying glass) kept the child very happy. I got a good workout lifting her bag up and down from the overhead luggage rack, and when we eventually got to our house I realised why the workout was so good. Hob Nobs and bottles of duty-free Baileys weigh a lot.
Aeroplane one day, train the next. Can life get any better?
This was our lunch at the airport. It's pretzel pieces with pizza inside! Yes, daddy was in charge of meals today. Hey - real cheese!
Pete enjoys the in-flight entertainment system.
Daddy enjoys something to take the edge off.
Boston. What's with this weather?
Grandma's here! Let the reading commence!
Grandpa enjoys the more technical side of things.
A quick trip to the lake for some stone throwing.
Next day, at Boston South Station. Now where do I want to send them?
So exciting! For the first 15 minutes of the journey.
Time for a wander. There are lots of buttons to press on trains, but the designers thoughtfully put most of them out of children's reach.
It's a shame that trains don't have entertainment systems. Oh, wait...
Down the coast.
Sleeper car.
NYC.
We made it, Grandma! And didn't Daddy do well.
