Welcome to the thoughts and photos of FLYDDW. Texas, New Jersey, and Arizona living.

Since living in AZ and trying to find different places to see, I stumbled across this - The Polar Express. They are booked up a couple of years in advanced. But, since we didn't want to wait that long, we were able to snag a ticket AFTER Christmas this year.

After a harrowing trip at high speeds (we had a late start) from Phoenix (less than 1000 feet high) to Williams, AZ (8000 feet high - 3 hour drive done in 2 hours), to the Grand Canyon Train Station. We managed to get there just in time for train to be loading. Unfortunately, we arrived at train car A, and our train was car L - so, a mad dash down to the other end of the train. We were greeted by the nice people who boarded us, and we sat down in our assigned seats. The backs of the chair can be flipped so that you face each other - and I did that for my family.

Couple of toots of the whistle, and off we were. Hot chocolate and cookies were served by cooks and elves. We sang Christmas carols and read thru the book as the train took us to the North Pole.

At the North Pole was Santa pad - all aglow. Then Santa entered our car and gave out jingle bells.

He went from car to car doing such. Then the train turned around and went back to the station.

Neat night - especially for the kids.