Andrew wanted to surprise the boys with a special adventure during our Asheville trip. And though they have been on plenty of city trains, the thought of an open-air car traveling through the Smoky Mountains to a pumpkin patch sounded too good to pass up, even though it was a bit of a splurge. I have to say, it was a completely different experience to have fresh air blowing in through the open car, traveling alongside a river, beautiful rolling hills and fields, and across an old bridge. 
Oliver stood by the window the entire trip, being careful not to reach out the open windows. But Emil was the biggest fan, as he has recently been a bit obsessed with trains. He talked about the train for a good part of the drive there, and then after as well. I think it kind of blew his mind. 
On the ride there, someone read part of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and when we arrived, we were greeted by Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy characters, along with a whole field of kid-awesomeness (and plenty of kitsch). It was the kind of amusement-park silliness that is sometimes necessary. They ate it up. 
There was trick-or-treating (they did NOT skimp on the candy…), marshmallow roasting, there were games and a pumpkin patch, where the boys each chose a pumpkin to take back with them. 
And then the ride back… we lucked out with more rain in the forecast. It held off until we stepped off the train, then started to pour on the drive back to the cabin. 
It was such a treat! If you’re interested in going, here is the website. They do a Polar Express train on Christmas Eve, which sounds like a blast!