Fifth and Final Florida Post....the trek home:)

The trek home was actually another adventure. Mimi and Pop-Pop purchased auto-train tickets for the kids' birthday and Christmas gifts this year. It was so nice knowing at the end of our Florida trip we did not have to endure another 19 hour car ride through the night :) We arrived early at the loading station in Sanford, Florida so we headed to the local mall for a meal in the food court. That in itself was an event as we rarely eat out and here each person could choose whatever meal suited their fancy! Then we headed over to the station to line up for check in on the train. Once checked in, we waited in the station (which is under construction) and then boarded the train. We all settled in to our seats and were blessed to be in an almost empty car so we were able to each take up 2 seats if we wanted to stretch out. We had dinner and breakfast on the train....there's even a snack car with tables for playing games, reading etc. The kids thought it was such fun to be able to move around the train while we were traveling across the country. They thought the bathroom was pretty cool too! We slept in our seats...and arrived in Maryland on Sunday morning. We were amazed at how quickly they unloaded the vehicles- it was a huge train with 2 decks of cars, vans, and motorcycles...I can't find the pictures I took of that:( It was a great way to end a great trip!!

Waiting in the make shift station for boarding time....

The kiddos and the Amtrak mascot~

All Aboard....we can never 'travel light'

Hanging out in the snack car before the train left the station...we were trying to check emails to no avail...and I could hardly believe they were eating again!!!

G settling in for the long trip home....

The boys kill some time catching a movie on Mimi's personal DVD player...

C chilling with Pop-Pop

Dinner in the Dining Car...

Breakfast...doesn't look like Odesco woke up yet!

To put the van on the train we had to remove the soft luggage carrier... Daddy was having a challenging time getting everything to fit again!

So grateful for God's kindness in allowing us to take this trip!!!