Long Amtrak Train Trip Starting 26 August!

[Meengla]

Maybe the final pic from the Zephyr train: The PA system was announcing important landmarks and historic events. I heard them say the highest elevation on that train route was 9200 ft and that's also the highest elevation for any Amtrak train. My phone's Altimeter app recorded this shortly after the announcement; the highest point probably already past. But close enough!

 

[Meengla]

Before I move on to the last of my trains (Coast Starlight from Sacramento to Seattle), only pic to share about my one day stay with friends in Sacramento area. It was to The University of Beer where the host-couple and I went to. I have pics of their house and family but of course will not share here. My friend drove me around to places in Roseville and I found the area pretty nice. I also finally found a cheap place to shop for travel accessories which I couldn't in NYC. You could say it was my first time in California because the last time I went there was in 2014 when I went to a professional workshop in San Diego's Convention Center area and basically was confined there except for a brief round trip on a local train from the CC area to Carlsbad (or nearby).

GPS of The University of Beer: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9yAD73AGRDyezmVS7

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Mr. Spiro was the Cafe Car attendant for the most of the trip on Zephyr. He is from Chicago. Has a thick accent and people think he is Italian but he is a born and raised American of Greek origin. Friendly, chatty guy.
GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FZcroxFLVzhoGD1Q9


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Dude looks like Captain Kangaroo when he was younger.

 

[Meengla]

All the talk of pizza was too much to resist when wifey asked me this evening what for supper. Most of the time, I say, 'whatever you want to'. I am a terrible eater if you can't tell from this thread already. Then she asked 'Pizza?'. And I said 'yes'. So home made crust pizza: Turkey pepperoni, green olive, onion, green pepper, fennel seed.

 

[Starlord]

bro you need to invest in a camera, definitely worth it and it makes pics more memorable, or maybe its just me.

 

[Ali_Baba]

bro you need to invest in a camera, definitely worth it and it makes pics more memorable, or maybe its just me.

Be careful Meengla, next thing is he will be recommending Nikon Z9 for $5,000 !!! ..

 

[Watandar]

All the talk of pizza was too much to resist when wifey asked me this evening what for supper. Most of the time, I say, 'whatever you want to'. I am a terrible eater if you can't tell from this thread already. Then she asked 'Pizza?'. And I said 'yes'. So home made crust pizza: Turkey pepperoni, green olive, onion, green pepper, fennel seed.

View attachment 215160

I am also a pizza lover. It tastes best in the first 10 minutes fresh out of the oven. Have you ever travelled in Italy and tasted their authentic pizza ?

 

[Davey Crockett]

Detroit style pizza

 

[Starlord]

Be careful Meengla, next thing is he will be recommending Nikon Z9 for $5,000 !!! ..

I mean meengla was a software engineer, i think he can afford a Z9 mirrorless camera, and then we can exchange Pleeeeej (babyface)

 

[Meengla]

I am also a pizza lover. It tastes best in the first 10 minutes fresh out of the oven. Have you ever travelled in Italy and tasted their authentic pizza ?

Nah, never been to Italy--or Europe for that matter unless a few hours at some cruise ports count, which they don't.
I am not really a foodie at all. Wifey cooks because if left to me, then daily chickpeas, rice, beans, shrimps... daily! Cook once and eat for several days. It is just a hole to fill in my tummy. I do have a palate and appreciate good food but not putting effort into cooking them.
As for the camera: My pics are just for my own memories. Sharing here to share the joy. I think they are acceptable quality. I have a good camera on the phone but I reduce some quality to save storage.

 

[Watandar]

Nah, never been to Italy--or Europe for that matter unless a few hours at some cruise ports count, which they don't.
I am not really a foodie at all. Wifey cooks because if left to me, then daily chickpeas, rice, beans, shrimps... daily! Cook once and eat for several days. It is just a hole to fill in my tummy. I do have a palate and appreciate good food but not putting effort into cooking them.
As for the camera: My pics are just for my own memories. Sharing here to share the joy. I think they are acceptable quality. I have a good camera on the phone but I reduce some quality to save storage.

In retrospect would you have broken up your trip to spend couple more nights in NYC or Chicago or some other place so you could explore locally more ?

 

[Meengla]

Oh, not to start a flame war with Indians here: On the second day of my two nights on the Zephyr, a little Indian dude was sitting on my seat by the window. His was across the aisle from me. I asked why my seat? He said the sun is shining through my window and that he was very cold as he did not bring even a long sleeve shirt, let alone a sweater or jacket. I felt bad but I myself didn't have many clothes: Two long sleeve shirts and 2-3 T shirts and two long pants and a pajama. But then my heart melted and I took out a clean long sleeve shirt from my luggage and gave it to him, which he wore the rest of the 30-40 trip left. But he didn't even acknowledge me the rest of the trip! A little gratitude for saving his hide would be appreciated. He was sitting right across the aisle from me and also saw me in other parts of the train. Needless to say, my own clothes situation got even worse but I did laundry in CA and in Vancouver but it was tight planning.
Ingrate!