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Phase I; Virginia to California via Amtrak; Sunday, October 20, 2012
It's all about the journey. When asked why in the world I would take a train or drive when I can get to my destination much more quickly by flying, my response is that it is never about the destination, it is about the journey. It is about the experience in living one's life, how one goes about it and what one leaves behind. It is not about getting to the end. In my view, life is well lived when we experience the journey of life to the fullest, make lasting memories and leave our little piece of the world a little bit better than how we found it.
We didn't have any anxiety before leaving for this Hybrid Planes, Trains and Automobiles Road Trip. Our first method of travel would be the train. The train station is nearby nod there would be no hassle getting there in plenty of time. The only things on our mind were not to forget anything, especially devices and their chargers and to ensure the house is buttoned up
We arrived at the Amtrak station about an hour before departure, but that was really not necessary as there were no lines, no TSA, no hassles at all. The station was clean, brightly lit and the two attendants were very helpful in answering any questions I posed.
The train was moved to the platform thirty minutes before departure. We chose the "Quiet Car" as there would be no children, cell phones or loud talking. As the conductor said during his announcements, the Quiet Car is a library-like atmosphere. At my age, the quiet is welcomed.
Since there are several cars on the train, there were no lines for boarding. The conductor lifted our heavy bags into the car for us, which made boarding even easier. There are approximately 70 seats on the car. We were the second to board our car. We had our choice of almost any seat we chose. At time of departure, there were only about 12 people in our car. By the time we arrived in D.C., the car was three quarters full.
A pleasant surprise was finding free wi-fi was available in our car. We retrieved our iPads and Kindles and commenced to connect. That gave us access to email and the web. Great!
The train left exactly on time. The morning is cool and clear and we are ready to go!
A few comments about the comfort of the train car in which we rode. The seats are very comfortable. They recline and have plenty of padding. There are about six inches more knee room than on an airplane seat. I would equate it to sitting in an exit row on a commercial airliner. Also, the car is very clean, with seating looking relatively new with a pleasant color scheme. The speed limit is 79 mph and the coach rides smoothly and it is very quiet at that speed. Two bathrooms are located at the end of the car, with one being handicapped accessible. A couple of cars behind us is the cafe car.
I walked back to the cafe car and purchased a cup of hot coffee for $2.00. It was indeed hot and flavorful. The attendant was personable and efficient. Enjoying my coffee back at my seat, I settled in to listen to a couple of photography and travel related podcasts and just enjoy the journey.
We arrived at Union Station in downtown Washington, D.C. Ahead of schedule. Departing the train and getting into the station was effortless. Since it was lunchtime, we checked into the Club Acela First Class Lounge to store our things while we ate lunch at one of the twenty or more restaurants in Union Station. Afterwards, we walked around and window shopped before returning to the lounge to await our next train to Chicago. The Acela Lounge has free wi-fi, a couple of large flat screen televisions with the news on them, newspapers and lots of very comfortable chairs and couches. A very quiet and pleasant atmosphere in which to pass the time. Compare it to running from concourse to concourse along with all the associated noise that one finds in a major airport.
So far, this is a very pleasant and unhurried way to travel.
We boarded train 29, the Capitol Limited and made our way to our Superliner Bedroom. Mother nice thing about the Superliner Bedroom is that your bathroom and shower are in the room with you. We settled in and the train left exactly on time.
Heading west, I brought my GPS with me to stick to the window. In previous train trips, I had no idea where I was, which direction the train was traveling or how fast we were going. Mother GPS is a nice addition to the trip to give me that information anytime, at just a glance.
We made our dinner reservations and proceeded to the diner car at the appointed time. On train travel, dining is called "community dining" as you are seated with different individuals for each meal. We shared a very tasty and plentiful dinner with Ruth, a professor at a small college in Wisconsin. We shared conversation and experiences and had a grand time
I had ordered the steak and my wife ordered the beef rib and we both thought our meals were very good. I have never had a bad meal on an Amtrak train.
We stopped in Cumberland, Maryland foe an extended 10 minute stop to load and unload passengers and give smokers a chance to feed their habit. I try to get out of the train during these stops as I like to stretch my legs and breathe some fresh air.
As the evening wears on, we settled in our bedroom, read and watched episodes of television programs that I had previously loaded onto my iPad. The car attendant made up our beds, both a top bunk and bottom bunk, and as I finish writing, we are preparing to have a restful night's sleep. The gentle swaying of the train and the sound of the engine several cars ahead blowing its horn at crossings is a pleasant way to fall asleep.
I am unable to post this on Sunday evening as we are somewhere in the mountains of southern Pennsylvania and have no cell phone coverage.
In the morning, we plan to eat breakfast at 6 a.m. And our projected arrival time in Chicago is 8:45 a.m.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis Mook
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