Long Amtrak Train Trip Starting 26 August!

[Meengla]

Take up on the offer.

You will be giving them the opportunity to return the favor you showed them.

They want to return the favor and a one night stay and then driving you to Sacramento will satisfy them .

The Roseville friends' response just came and they are still happy to host me in their house and take me to Sacramento, which is only 20 minutes from their house, the next day where I will board for Seattle late night. But, boy, these changes are breath taking: I don't want to miss the Chicago to California at all cost and I just had to cancel that and rebook--what if there were no seat available after canceling. This is a cheap Rail Pass and there is still some summer season left and it is getting close to the Labor Day.
But the stop in Roseville will be good anyway: It would be over 2 days of travel from Chicago to Roseville!
PS. My longest train ride was Toronto to Vancouver on 'The Canadian': You can look that up! I think 96 hours! But I take a break in Jasper. All on the coach seat. But back then I was Young and Foolhardy. Now I am Old and Foolhardy!

 

[Master Chief]

@Meengla

Great thread. Looking forward to the continuation of your travel log. You're the forum's very own Michael Palin!

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

@Meengla

Great thread. Looking forward to the continuation of your travel log. You're the forum's very own Michael Palin!

View attachment 212160

I'm partial to Sarah Palin.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Bro USA is huge, I drive from Tampa to Atlanta where my cousin lives, that trip is around 470-500 miles give or take, if you take 1-2 Gas/bathroom break that's around 7 hours of driving, mind you Georgia is next to Florida lol imagine driving from Florida to mid-west or west coast.

It was just a couple weeks ago I drove from central Arizona to Camp Perry, OH and back. On the trip to Perry, I left my house at 0610 local time and stopped for the night about 45 miles west of Tulsa. Roughly 1100 miles or so.

 

[Meengla]

@Meengla

Great thread. Looking forward to the continuation of your travel log. You're the forum's very own Michael Palin!

View attachment 212160

You are too kind, sir!
I am about all set to leave. However, I lingering concern is some close in laws' health. That's the only reason I could postpone it by some days though I don't want to: Non refundable hotels are booked in both NYC and Seattle, the friends in Roseville preparing to receive me, host me and show me around, and I would lose some $ on my Rail Pass if I don't cancel within next few hours and lose all the Rail Pass $ if cancel too late. But above all that, I need to get out of the house! My tablet has plenty of videos and Amazon Kindle content. I am pretty health conscience so taking good sanitary supplies, plus planning to get turkey jerky and nuts etc. All the trains on my trip have the Cafe Car and they have tables nearby to sit and mingle with fellow passengers.
Long train travel is great like ocean cruises!

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Good luck getting this out of your head:

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[AZ_HighCountry]

Or perhaps this is better suited?

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[AZ_HighCountry]

With @Meengla wanting to tour by train and @Starlord looking at a travel trailer, you guys should consider pooling resources and hit the road together.

 

[Meengla]

@AZ_HighCountry : I was thinking more like this!

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[clutch]

Been patiently waiting for months for the slower season to arrive. Wanting to leave right after the Labor Day (in America!) but just can't stay home anymore. So starting a scaringly long train travel from early morning hours of August 26 from South Carolina to NYC to Chicago to San Francisco to Seattle. A total of about 6 days, most of which on Amtrak train in coach seats! Not sure what I would do upon reaching Seattle. Maybe just take a train back home. Maybe fly back. Maybe find the courage to take the Alaska Ferry to one of my Bucket List Items: The Dutch Harbor in the Aleutians! I am not rich enough for even a roomette room. I had done cross continent trips on Amtrak and on Canada's VIA Rail before plus (almost) cross continent road trips in America in the 90s--but I was much younger then. And so with trepidation and excitement, I am going to test myself again. The immenseness and the great natural beauty of America and Canada is to be truly enjoyed via roads or via trains. So why not!! YOLO: You Only Live Once!

PS. Will be gone from the forum for a while--maybe 10-14 days. Or more! There is a wanderlust in me, even if on a budget!

You are going to regret this trip.

All travel is stressful these days.

 

[Meengla]

You are going to regret this trip.

Maybe. But why do think so?

 

[clutch]

Maybe. But why do think so?

I have traveled coach on CN recently. I would suggest upgrading to a sleeper.

 

[Meengla]

I have traveled coach on CN recently. I would suggest upgrading to a sleeper.

Fair point. But no money for that.
I probably should have flown to Chicago then taken the Zephyr to CA to spend at least one day and then taken the train to Seattle. Those two routes I have not taken and they are supposed to be gorgeous!
As I have scheduled, this is too much time in a train on coach seat. But one consolation is that I can cancel somewhere and apologize to my friends in Roseville for the No Show and move on after losing a few hundred $$.
But I am going to try my best to not chicken out!

 

[FuturePAF]

It looks like you’re probably going to take the Cardinal, between NYC and Chicago. That’s the one I use to ride frequently for many years. Pack a good blanket and a decent pillow for those coach seats. Seats are this tough leather, so you may want to pack something to make the seat more comfortable. Also, it’s possible they will have the AC running all day. I would recommend you pack a decent sweater.

Also, be aware that long distance Amtrak trains tend to run behind a lot, even worse in places than in decades past. It’s not their fault. The tracks outside of the northeast are owned by freight railroads. So give yourself some extra time, where possible.

I hope you have an enjoyable trip. When you get to Seattle check out the Chihuly Garden and Glass, near the space needle. A great exhibit.

P.S. may want to pack some meclizine and a pain reliever for a possible migraine. 6 days can wear on anyone.

 

[HAIDER]

Maybe. But why do think so?

aahh .. if legendry Orient Express starts again .....