Microsoft is sponsoring this blog which, in turn, underwrote my recent trip to Maui with my son. Thank's, Microsoft and when you see this icon, you are seeing a post on the go. I am on Maui for three days with my son doing kid things. I love being not a grownup (although some of the other parents at the hotel were probably wondering who was the really big kid in the baby pool shooting water canons). At any rate, no trip to Maui for us is complete without a stop at the Sugar Cane Train.

The Lahaina Kaanapali Railroad was never a real train line although back in they day sugar cane trains were common ways to transport crops and people in the islands. Cool factor -- this is one of the few places around the country where you can ride a narrow-gauge operating steam engine. This day the two narrow gauge steam engines were down (sniff, sniff) so we had to settle for diesel. The train line runs through a kinda rundown section of Maui -- cars on cinder blocks, trashed back yards, with million dollar ocean views. But the ride is very cool, even soothing for parents relishing the chance to sit for more than 30 minutes. There is definitely something wonderful about traveling on an old-style train. Bonus points for families -- there is also a parked old steam locomotive that kids can climb into and play on at the station in Lahaina. However, one fair warning. Steer clear of the large display of Thomas the Tank Engine shirts and trains at the depot. They'll send junior into a frothing freight car frenzy.

—Alex, 04/27/08