surprise vacation: part ii

Happy Friday everyone! I am SO excited to share the next part of our vacay with you all! I ended Part I outside Union Station in Chicago. And when we went in, it was the most awesome old school train station. Everything about it felt like taking a step back in time.

We checked our bags (which was a TOTALLY new experience for me, because I didn’t know that happened on trains!) and walked over towards the security line. But did we wait in that?! Nope. Instead Ben ducked through and led me into the super fancy first class lounge. Which is when I started to get SUPER excited. After getting settled (and getting a complimentary Sierra Mist – TOLD you this place was fancy) Ben took out yet another surprise form his magic bag – the Phase II packet. I opened it and found ear plugs, a portable speaker, eye mask, a pillow case, playing cards, and an itinerary for the trip. We would be taking a sleeper car all the way to . . . VERMONT!

We got on the train and got checked in to our super cute little cabin . . .

And then headed to the wine and cheese fiesta in the dining car!

Are we excited about free wine and cheese?! Or the super cute cabin?! BOTH.

We hung out in the cabin, did some star gazing (it’s CRAZY how many stars you can see when you aren’t in the middle of a big city) and converted our cabin for bedtime. We slept bunk bed style, which felt AAALLMOST like what I pictured camp would have been like as a kid. Ben read me some Gatsby before we fell asleep.

The next morning we had breakfast in the dining car, which I was surprised was ACTUALLY pretty good. Who knew?!

Reading the paper on the train. This entire part of our adventure felt like an old school romance. I loved it ever so much.

And then, after 18 hours of train ride (which went by SO fast) we found ourselves in Vermont! We stayed with my family, where I got to spend some time with my two favorite kiddos on the planet. Say hello to my super cute niece (who dressed herself for a tea party during the last week of school). I DIE.

And we got to take a day trip to visit my grandparents. They have been married for over SEVENTY years, and are just about the cutest thing ever!

Ben went fishing Andy Griffith style . . .

And we had a real, live bonfire . . .

Seriously. Are they not the absolute CUTEST?!

He’s such the little gentleman. . .

On the second day of our trip she started wearing glasses. I guess she wants to look like someone who must be preeeeetttty cool ; )

We went for a visit at the Vermont Country Store, one of my favorite spots since I was a kid. They have free samples, tons of awesome knick-knacks, and some super creepy masks. (Which I HAVE to put on every time we go).

Clementine the bich-poo, guarding the porch : )

Ben spent FOUR hours building this roller coaster with him. They were so proud when it was done.

And then, on our last day, we went for a hike in the most GORG of places . . .

Where there just so happened to be some swimming in the 40 degree waterfall. GAH. So cold. 

We climbed all the way to the top, and found an awesome view when we got there

And we couldn’t leave without buying a few glasses of lemonade . . .

Laughing with my daddy-o

Then, after five super short days, it was time to head back to the train station. Where to next?! Stay tuned for Part III!