While we were in Tennessee, we got to have lots of fun at the Casey Jones Village Train Museum and at the old train depot that has been restored into a museum. Jackson, Tennessee was once a railroad hub, so there is a lot of history there. My mom even remembers when the Depot was open. After we left we drove past my pawpaw's (CJ and Will's great, great grandad) old store that was down the street.
Our first stop was the Depot. Our tour guide for the morning was Mr. Carl. We were the only ones at the museum, so we got lots of good one-on-one attention. There were lots of wonderful things to look at...
but the best part, was there were lots of fun things to play with (an on!). It is a hands-on sort of place, within reason, and CJ had a blast exploring and looking around.
Then the make your eyes bug out kind of fun came. There was a giant model train modeled after Jackson. It is maintained by local volunteers, and it is really neat. There were lots of fun buttons to push that made lights turn on or camp fires light. CJ didn't know what to think at first, but after a few minutes, he loved it and had a great time pushing the buttons as the trains ran across the tracks. Mr. Carl was so patient with him.
After the train room, we got a special surprise. Check out what came rolling by on the tracks...
Mr. Carl showed us how these levers used to control the switches for the tracks, and even let CJ have a try.
Then we got to explore by ourselves. CJ and Gran had fun on a handcar. CJ thought it was hilarious to move the arm up and down.
The Depot also has some old cars that you can wander through.
After the cute picture with Gran above, we tried to take a picture with me and the boys. FAIL. CJ wanted nothing to do with me, and only wanted Gran. :(
If I remember correctly, CJ is telling me, "Mommy stay here. CJ go Gran." Little stinker, but I love him. Will on the other hand, loved riding in the Moby and looking at everything. He had lots of big smiles.
I didn't think I was going to be able to drag him away from the railroad cars, but do you see this face????
"toot! toot!" There was a train whistle on a pull cord. This was definitely the best part of the day as far as CJ was concerned!
A few days later we went to Casey Jones Village. CJ had a fun time playing with their many train tables.
Will is just a great, go with the flow, can have a great time anywhere kind of guy. He does great in the Moby, although I got a few strange looks!
They had a fun little ride for kiddos, and since we were there with Gran, she of course couldn't say no. CJ said "wow" at first, and then started to say, "toot! toot!"
After the first ride, CJ actually wanted me and Will to ride with him instead of Gran. Then I couldn't say no, so Will and I (not so gracefully) got in. From my face, you would think it was a super, scary roller coaster though!
Fun times and great memories! I see both of these places being long term fun spots as both boys grow.
