A Few of FR's Finest.Every Day.12-22 to 25-06..Polar Express - Christmas Weekend

December 22, 2006 | Dolly Howard

[DollyCali]

The magical train ride found in the Book and the Movie are the backdrop to the glorious adventure held nightly for 5 weeks in NE Ohio as part of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway (CVSR) offerings leading up to Christmas .

The story in a nutshell: A little boy, Jammie clad in jammies(FReeper material ) doubting Santa’s existence any longer, is whisked away one night on a magical train, that picks him up AT HIS HOME & takes him to the North pole where he views the magic of Santa, the elves and the life there. It is a short book with wonderful art work & was released in 1985.

At the Ohio Polar Express, this is captured in the several hour ride that parents & kids alike arrive in Jammies to participate in the fun. Thanks to the Polar express we now have a new dress category to add to Business casual etc. There will be Nighttime Jammies perhaps!

So very much goes on behind the scenes. For the ride of several hours for youngsters in wonderment along with their parents and grandparents, there is an amazing amount of ground work that is done. Professionals and volunteers all work together to make this a memorable part of the participating family holiday experiences. Many US cities have similar programs, we feel fortunate to be one of them.

Do you just decide THAT day, hey, lets go for the train ride tonight? Well, no NOT EXACTLY. The ride is sold out in late Summer and tickets chosen by lottery. There are actually two trains that converge in the North Pole. One begins in Akron heading North & the other begins in Independence heading south. They arrive at the N Pole about 15 minutes apart to gaze out the window at the merriment of Santa’s workshop, all the elves dancing (town folks, who have caught the spirit, Santa on sleigh, drummer boys, reindeer etc.

The deluxe Saint Lucie train car.which goes out each night is a luxury charter smf is sold out for next 3 years.. To say this activity is “in demand” is perhaps an understatement. This popular train, which runs in part through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park holds several other Christmas related series of Rides Mr. Jingeling's Holiday Express and Christmas Tree Adventure (train to neaby Peninsula & pick out /buy tree, return

In the story Polar express (as viewed in the movie) Director Robert Zemeckis revolutionized the art of animated film in 1998's WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT by dropping cartoon characters into the same frame with flesh-and-blood actors. In THE POLAR EXPRESS, live action and animation have merged seamlessly, resulting in sparkling super-realism. A landmark technique Zemeckis and his Sony Pictures Imageworks team call "Performance Capture" perfectly suits the tenor of this wondrous children's Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg

A disillusioned little boy, just old enough to doubt the existence of Santa Claus, has the adventure of a lifetime one fateful Christmas Eve. Clad in his pajamas, he climbs aboard a magic train to the North Pole, driven by a kindly train conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks who starred in both of Zemeckis's Academy-Award winning films FORREST GUMP and CASTAWAY). Among myriad jaw-dropping moments, the train plummets brakeless through crystalline mountains in a simulated roller coaster ride. Going off the rails, skidding sideways, and snaking violently across a frozen lake, the train arrives at the North Pole (a vast, glowing city of brick buildings)

At that moment, the car carrying the kids detaches and they're sent tumbling down never-ending chutes and slides until they land in the middle of Santa's Workshop.

In the body of the thread are pictures/commentary from the last regular “run” of the season. Try to check back regularly for new additions. Your are invited to join in the “magic”

[Lady Jag]

A Christmas Poem

Silent night Holy night Snowfall on this Christmas sight Love all around As we sing our Christmas cheer Sit around the tree Hands held high As the wind whispers a gentle Christmas sigh Gentle twinkling scattered about it’s branches Snow gently falls We life our faces to the sky Faces shine in a rosy glow Around and around we go Spinning twirling swirling in the snow The world is at peace tonight As love glows in a romantic’s eye Have yourself a merry little Christmas Let your heart be light Forget all the world Be at peace tonight Let the warmth of the time fill you Snow fall covers all Have a happy Christmas all Lylyanna Pilewski

[.30Carbine]

Thank you, that's lovely! I've admired your tagline from afar for a long time now, too!

[Majie Purple]

You're welcome Billie! re: my earlier comment/compliment...

& I also now see new treasures one re Jesus' Birthday

& one You made for Louie!!

Both of those gif gifts are specific & special & re:2 specific & special people!!

I join in with singing/saying: Happy Birthday Jesus!

[.30Carbine]

I'm so sorry about Fred and having to say goodbye, dutchess.

Dolly, I just loved your remembrance earlier for all those who have suffered losses over the year, including the loss of beloved pets.

It hurts to lose these dear friends who bring so much comfort and joy into our lives.

[Lady Jag]

The feeling's mutual; I love your name.

[Majie Purple]

That's awesome! Thanks much for posting that and the ping to it!
A hearty & heart & soul filled, AMEN to that!

[dutchess]

Christmas greeting to all our friends at the finest!!!



Thank you for the LOVELY ornament billie!

[DollyCali]

That is lovely ma'am! Thank you for sharing Carbine.

Dutchess, I am so sorry about the loss of your kitty.. no matter how old our friends, family or pets are, we still love them & will miss their presence in our lives...AND treasure their memory

It has been so enjoyable to see people's talents shared openly here.. some are graphic artist's extrodianaire.. soma are HTML wizards, some are both (Billie & Lori).. some are poets... some have the gift of sharing soulful thought.. for all to read & grow by and some just have loving & joyful spirits which we surely need in this world.

Most here at this thread are committed Christians & it is nice to have that here for our Finest Family at Christmas time. We appreciate all who visit with us daily, and holidays are especially good to feel the love..

[Majie Purple]

Chosing this day to be sure to say again how thankful I am for Your devotional posts 365...Doesn't go un noticed nor unapprieciated, (by God...)

nor by lil ol me!

[DollyCali]

Lovely Billie.. perky and sparkly....as you are dear Sistah!

[Majie Purple]

Hi Dutchie! Christmas greetings to You too!

[lonestar]

Fret not! I put Fred to work on the committee getting ready for Santa Paws. Rainbow Bridge is hoppin'. Kittens and puppies are wild with excitement!

Merry Christmas to Aunt dutchess and Giz.

Weinie

[Majie Purple]

JESUS is THE BEST GIFT that anyone can personally recieve and or already has personally recieved!!

[potlatch]

Thank you Dolly

[DollyCali]

Thank YOU potlatch! Lovely!

[The Mayor]

Thank you, it's always my pleasure!

[The Mayor]

AMEN!

[Majie Purple]

((((Dear GeeBee thanks again for Your music posting weeks ago!))))
Still listening/loving the songs & ((((thank You for all the work that went into it for countess others to enjoy!))))

& Though I picked more than A W...I keep goin' back to click listen to him sing pretty much every day!

Eventhough I already have the song/CD here at home!

Have enjoyed many of the selections by others as well,

but That song brings me back to click & listen daily...

I love the words/message/subject matter...Proclaimed via that smooth as buttah gift of a singing voice!

[Majie Purple]

AMEN! bump/volley...

[NautiNurse]