Train Ride and the Boarder Patrol

Big Cowpoke's class had a field trip today. They all loaded up on the bus and went to the Amtrak station. A lot of the kids were really excited. They had never ridden a train before. I have been on a train before, but not one as big as this one. Big Cowpoke was really looking forward to the trip. The kids were going to ride the train for about an hour and a half, then get off the train and eat lunch at a park, then go back home. We arrived at the bus stop a bit early. So, the kids played some games and then we saw the Boarder Patrol show up! We kindly asked the men to show the kids his dog. All the kids got to pet Engine, the boarder patrol dog. She is trained to find people and drugs. Her handler was really nice. It was fun asking him questions about the boarder control dogs. The man told me that they get all their dogs from over seas. Engine is a three year old German Shepherd. Straight from Germany! Her handler showed us some of the things she does. I thought a big game of hide and go seek would have been fun. But instead, he showed the kids how he and Engine look for drugs. His partner hid some drugs and off they went to look for them. And of coarse she did. When she finds them, she gets to play with a rubber hose. It was too cute how excited she gets for her hose. She had a grip on that hose. Her handler could pick her up. Then he swung her around. It was pretty funny. The kids all loved the little show. I bet Engine's handler enjoyed putting on a little show for the kids too. The teachers talked to him about coming to the school and doing a demonstration. He was really excited about it. After the dog show, we still had to wait a bit for the train. So, I took some crazy pictures of Big Cowpoke. I love funny angles where people's heads look huge and their bodies look small. After the fun pictures we played some more games. I broke out some old school games from when I was a camp counselor. It was pretty fun. Then finally after about an hour and a half, we saw a faint light in the distance!! The train! All the kids lined up by the bus to watch the train go by. They were all jumping up and down, and sweating. It was super hot out there. I think it was about 83 degrees today. Plus standing in a parking lot with the sun beating down on you, it was pretty toasty. Yeah, I have no idea what Big Cowpoke was doing. I think the heat was getting to him a bit. Now a days, I can hardly ever get a picture of him where he will just smile handsome. He always has to make a face. Hooray! The kids all cheered as the train passed. They had the coolest conductors!! All dressed up just like in the movies! Well, I guess that the movie characters are dressed as train conductors because that is what train conductors wear. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. They even hollered, "All Aboard!!" It was so much fun, just getting on the train. Big Cowpoke got a seat. And then I got a fellow first grader to take our picture. I really love the chances I get to go with Big Cowpoke on field trips. He and I get to spend some great one on one time together. Big Cowpoke's Cub Scout buddies. The kids getting ready to wave at the Principal as the train passed our little town. Big Cowpoke looking out the window. The ride took about an hour and a half. It was a lot of fun. We bought over priced drinks and pretzels. Talked with a bunch of Big Cowpoke's friends. Got to know a bunch of parents and had a blast. The kids got off the train and all got into the bus and headed to a park where they ate sack lunches and played. Big Cowpoke was STARVING! That boy is going to eat me out of house and home! We had a blast. I really enjoyed spending the day with my Big Cowpoke on the train. When we got into the car he said, "Thanks Mom." I told him, "Thank YOU, for inviting me! I had a great time with you!" We both had a great day.