This was a review I posted back in 2012, and as far as I know, it is still happening. I invite you to check out the website for more information.
Right after Thanksgiving, my family and I got to do something really special–ride the Polar Express! That’s right! I am a native Washingtonian, and I grew up knowing of Mt. Hood in Oregon. I even saw it when we visited Oregan, but I had no idea there was a railroad in River, Oregon, just past Portland.
My daughter out in front of the train depot
We began our journey at the train depot. Thankfully we had a break in the weather. It had been raining pretty hard, but it let up just for us!
writing a letter to Santa
As we waited to board, my daughter wrote a letter to Santa. (I had already ordered a North Pole letter, and thankfully, it arrived shortly after this! She figured it was her letter she wrote there that prompted this letter.)
My mom on board
My dad on board
Me on board too!
My dad, my mom, and I also went on this fantastic trip. We loved the train, and the scenery was definitely Washingtonian!
scenery from the train
beautiful Pacific Northwest
lovely
We still live in a beautiful part of the country, right?
Aboard the Polar Express
They read the book to us!
Everyone on the trip from the conductor to the chefs to the hobo was dressed and acted just like the film. And as you see, they read the story to us. We all received gingersnap cookies and hot chocolate. We loved the hobo. He actually tried to “steal” something from our bag, but said he would come back when we were asleep.
My daughter on board!
It’s Santa!
We’ve arrived at the North Pole!
The North Pole
Santa’s Workshop looked wonderful from the train.
My daughter with Santa!
And the big guy actually visited us. You can see that my daughter was not too enthused. She is nine and declared after Santa left that she was too old for Santa. I guess she is at that age. But she is still glad she came.
She got a bell!
This was probably her favorite thing since it makes noise! Remember the bell from the story? She has one!
This is an experience that was well worth the time, and it is truly a reasonable trip for a family when you realize everything you get to do. Although she has ridden “Thomas the Tank Engine” twice, she doesn’t remember. But this is one trip she will remember.
Be sure to check out the website since Mt. Hood Railroad offers all sorts of trips year-round!
I was provided with four free tickets in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100 percent mine.
