Long Amtrak Train Trip Starting 26 August!

Ali_Baba said:
Looks alot greener than England looks like right now!
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Yes I've heard about the drought in England. BTW correction to my post above: that was in Ohio. Now the train is in South Bend Indiana.
Very green so far everywhere on my trip. But I think that will change a lot tomorrow as I enter the West!
 
Meengla said:
Yes I've heard about the drought in England. BTW correction to my post above: that was in Ohio. Now the train is in South Bend Indiana.
Very green so far everywhere on my trip. But I think that will change a lot tomorrow as I enter the West!
Click to expand...

I am stateside for a while. Thinking about finding some time to drive across the country. Currently looking into that.

Or is there something I would miss out on if I didn't take rail.
 
Cipher212 said:
I am stateside for a while. Thinking about finding some time to drive across the country. Currently looking into that.

Or is there something I would miss out on if I didn't take rail.
Click to expand...
A road trip gives more freedom than anything! But of course much to plan for and one could miss a good bit of the scenery while driving. I had thought of a road trip but didn't have the guts for that.

The Zephyr is supposed to show some spectacular places going through canyons and places where there's no road.
 
Train arrived 30 minutes late to Chicago but that worked better for me due to the 3 hour limit in the Amtrak Lounge. Right after 11 am , I purchased the Pass for $35 and told the attendant basically for the shower. She gave me the wrist band but nothing about the shower. I walked around and was directed by an unfriendly employee to go back to the front desk again where of course people were lining up. The lady gave me a key and held my driver's license and said 30 minutes to shower. I thought 30 minutes total for everything including your "business". Needles say it was a panic time in the Men's Room not helped by hot water arriving late but I had already started cold shower by then. I handed back the key and got my DL back. Then are tiny chocolate bars and banana and apple. This station doesn't seem like has happy campers working. But I'm set for Zephyr to depart in 90 minutes. 1000032571.jpg
 
Train arrived 30 minutes late to Chicago but that worked better for me due to the 3 hour limit in the Amtrak Lounge. Right after 11 am , I purchased the Pass for $35 and told the attendant basically for the shower. She gave me the wrist band but nothing about the shower. I walked around and was directed by an unfriendly employee to go back to the front desk again where of course people were lining up. The lady gave me a key and held my driver's license and said 30 minutes to shower. I thought 30 minutes total for everything including your "business". Needles say it was a panic time in the Men's Room not helped by hot water arriving late but I had already started cold shower by then. I handed back the key and got my DL back. Then are tiny chocolate bars and banana and apple. This station doesn't seem like has happy campers working. But I'm set for Zephyr to depart in 90 minute

1000032571.jpg
 
Boarding in Chicago was stressful and chaotic and not only for me.At Ottumwa, Iowa station. Beautiful sun setting out west before getting here. I've a seat mate who looks like a techie too pumped up about his work and gives hostile vibes. Unfortunately he's going to be sitting next to me for almost next 48 hours. The Zephyr is beautiful and more comfortable. I'm on second floor. Pics to follow.
 
Unfortunately in this leg of the trip, I finally have a seat mate all the way to Roseville. Maybe the guy is stressed out from deadlines or some other demons in his head but he's been giving me the bad vibes since he got his seat next to me. He's been gone all day to presumably the other part of the observation car with his laptop. He has ear plugs. I wouldn't care for even the bad vibes but I'd like to know if he's coming back to his seat or not. I offered him my power adapter for his laptop or whatever devices and he sort of acknowledged. He's not my nemesis but I wished I'd be moved elsewhere and tried but the conductor said the train too full. He offered me to stay in a corner 3-4 seat in the observation car and I actually moved there but then he told me I would have to move back when the day starts. So I'm back. About 40+ more hours to go to be in this situation. Another negative is that after the Crescent and the Lake Shore Limited, no Wi-Fi here so far. Not even in Chicago area. But positives are I'm just two cars from the observation car. I'm in second level. The seats are more comfortable then the previous two trains in this trip. And if course there's the fabulous observation car. The passengers are also a more positive ones: More engaging and youthful. I sat down and chatted with two ladies for hours in the observation car this afternoon. Very nice after the previous two legs in this itinerary.

(Pardon bold txt. Issues)
 
I'm fairly fresh from an upper body splash in train rest room after 4 am MTN time and sitting in the observation car. Some people slept all night on the seats here. An Amish family had joined me on the Lakeshore Limited between NYC and Chicago... they joined in Cleveland.
I feel positive about the upcoming days and maybe even weeks! The trip is about unshackling myself. Not sure successful yet. I'd love to get back to my zest for travel in the 90s when I did some crazy long road and train trips. Foolhardy as they were.
It's currently 538 am MTN time. I got a good seat in the observation car. Some still sleeping on the seats. They better make room for others: I think the train is now in Colorado and after Denver the truly beautiful landscape begins.
Photo: Amish boys from Cleveland. A lady sleeping on a seat. Briefly got up and went back to sleep.

1000032603.jpg
 
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