Los Lynches: Roaring Camp Railroads

Papa Jack saw an article in the Mercury News last month about the Roaring Camp Beach Train. He asked if Los Lynches would be interested in taking the trip. We all thought it sounded like fun. But we had no idea HOW much fun it was going to be. "Wow!" is about how we'd all define it.

From their website:

"Today’s Beach Trains travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk."

Los Lynches can't recommend this trip enough. You can make the round trip in as little as 3 hours if you happen to have any family members / friends with the patience levels of any unnamed Lynch family members. It's really worth every penny.

Here are a couple of videos of our trip, followed by some still pictures.

Part 01 of our day on The Beach Train

Part 02 of our day on the Beach Train

The entrance to the Roaring Camp Railroads. What kinds of fun lurk on the other side?

Papa Jack - synonymous with silly.

Here comes our train!

It's like something out 'Heart of Darkness', but in a good way.

Here comes the tunnel. Don't worry, I'm sure it's safe. After all, it was just built in 1875.

As it turns out, Grandma Joanie, not a fan of tunnels.

Maeve, Daddy and Teaghan in another perfectly posed shot on the train.

Once we got to the Boardwalk, the kids (and Daddy - do you see him?) went on the coolest and fastest Merry Go Round ever.

Family resemblance?

On the way back, Grandma Joanie, Anya and Teaghan sat in the coach which is a bit warmer and comfortable.

Papa Jack and Anne enjoying the sunny ride back down the mountain.

Maeve and Teaghan listen intently as Anne answers Teaghan's questions about bear/human interaction (no joke).

The bridge passes over and then follows the San Lorenzo River down the mountain. Who knew this thing existed? People were actually lazily inner tubing in the river!