FIVE FABULOUS FERGIES: Santa Barbara Train Trip

At the beginning of June a bunch of people from the charter school where I tutor were getting together for a day trip to Santa Barbara. David and the kids were already out of school so we thought it would be fun to take them to a place they had never been. The cost for the 2 hour train ride round trip to Santa Barbara was only $12.oo per person - how awesome is that? The plan was to meet at Union Station in LA at 9am. We left at 6:45 thinking that we would have plenty of time. The train was due to leave at 9:05am.

That was the plan.....unfortunately we had even MORE traffic than we planned for. Not even exaggerating - we pulled into the train station at 9:03am, had to find a parking spot, and ran for our lives. I felt like we were in a movie. David was carrying all kinds of stuff and leading the way, Kylie and Chad were running with their backpacks on, and I had my bag and Cameron in my arms. We ran into the station and asked the first person we saw where the trains were boarding and if she knew which gate was going to Santa Barbara. We were so thankful to know that she did. The only problem....our gate was the one furthest down the station from where we were. We thought FOR SURE that we would not make it....we kept telling the kids that we probably wouldn't. I think I said ten prayers within the next five minutes.

We ran all the way through the station - people probably thought that we were crazy. Cameron is not light...I was doing everything I could to keep running and at the same time keeping an eye on Kylie and Chad who were beating me to the gate. It was crazy and very funny now that I look back on it. Long story short.....we made it!!!! I don't even know how. We found the gate, got on, and within a minute the train left. It took us just a few minutes to find everyone else there waiting for us. The kids loved it and thought that we were awesome. And let me tell you....we are! Lots of good memories.

We spent the day hanging out at the beach, riding a fun bike along the water in Santa Barbara, eating some yummy pizza and visiting with friends. We rode the train home that night and arrived home at 11:30pm. We had a great day and would love to go again next year.

Finally settled on the train....