Last week we learned about Tilden Regional Park. I don't remember how, but I had stumbled across something that mentioned the "Steam Trains" which sounded interesting. As it turns out, they have a great little narrow-gauge, scale-model (I think it's 1:5) train system. For $3 per person you get to ride the train around for about 15 minutes. They have tunnels and bridges and roundhouses and water towers. It's great fun.
Heather thought it was pretty fun, but she was a little unsure about the whistle. It would startle her every time it blew.
Also in the park is a "Little Farm" with some animals. Heather loved watching the ducks and chickens run around. She made sure to keep an eye on the rooster which kept crowing. The cows weren't interested in us much because we didn't bring any food for them, but we were able to get some face time anyway.
From there it was on to the carousel. Yes, this park also has a carousel (and no parking/entrance fees!). The carousel is $2 a ticket or 7 tickets for $10. Given that Heather's favorite part about Disneyland was the carousels we figured this was a good bet. And she got very excited when she saw it and realized what it was.
Heather mostly had her ride face on, but she was loving it.
And here's photographic proof that I was there too.
Getting up to the park takes us through Walnut Creek, so, of course, lunch on the way home was at the new Chick-Fil-A.
Word of warning:
We decided that anytime anyone comes to visit us from now on we'll need to go ride the train and carousel. They run all year round, weather permitting.