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”

[snugs]

Thank you for all of you that sent me and dad some wonderful Christmas cards I had so many it took about 3/4 to open.

I also had a wonderful calender and a CD of a children's choir singing carols.

Thank you all once again.

[dutchess]

Merry Christmas to you and your dad snugs. I'm sure this was a difficult one for you both with the anniversary of your mom's passing. Passing that first anniversary was kind of healing for us. ((((snugs))))) (((((snug's dad)))))

[dutchess]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts about Fred the Cat's passing. Took this picture of him last week. He had a good life and left us peacefully for which wer're grateful. (Plus he rarely left his spot on the couch so we were amazed that he "posed" for this. Maybe his Christmas present for us. Forgot we had it until today when I downloaded Christmas pictures)

Hope you all are having a wonderful and blessed Christmas!!!

,

[The Mayor]

Thanks, and Merry Christmas to you Billie!

[The Mayor]

Merry Christmas PMJ!

[snugs]

Thank you for your kind thoughts and sorry about your cat

[snugs]

Here is my turkey and my dinner

[DollyCali]

Awe what a nice last pix you have of Fred.. He looks a bit like my Molly...How is dad doing? Sure you are glad to have a few days off from work & now that you have a slick computer back..well, good news there.

[DollyCali]

Nice pix.. are those the brussel sprouts from that long stem full that you posted yesterday?

[dutchess]

Hi Snugs. You dinner looks WONDERFUL! Do you "roast" your potatoes??? They look great and a nice change from the typical mashed pototoes we usually serve with a traditional turkey dinner.

[Aquamarine]

Think you just need to turn your fire down to medium, sounds like you're cooking on too high a heat.

[dutchess]

Hi Dolly! Here at the same time???? Dad is actually doing much better now that his meds are regulated and we pay extra attention to him (and keep calm "non political" stuff on TV which really used to aggitate him...LOL...I think my blood pressure has dropped too :o) )

Yes...it's wonderful having my computer back. Plus I really enjoying your DC Chrismas party post. With my new harddrive and cable connection they popped right up. Couldn't open them up at all last week with my old laptop! Hope mom's doing well!

[Lady Jag]

Merry Christmas!

[Majie Purple]

Thanks for Your beautiful comment Louie!
toss some rrrrrs in the prior great for me will Ya!
LOL!
That'd be gggeeeeaat!(this one is on purpose)
;oD

[Majie Purple]

Lovely # 285 Noosie & Amen to for THE REASON!

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank You Louie :)

[Majie Purple]

CHRISTmas Hugs in return from this here Miss...
*See* ya when you return Dita!

[Majie Purple]

I'M SO GLAD!
& You too!

[La Enchiladita]

Yes, LUV W posted the music by my request and found that awesome picture of the Northern Lights. 'Twas really perfect for Christmas Eve.

[Majie Purple]

((((Awww Thank You for what You wrote in 369...Thoughtful & kind words, Sweet Billie!))))