So my last plane trip, coming home from Las Vegas in November, included a pat down that was more criminal than professional, I swore I would never fly again....and after my first train trip (albeit a short one), I don't EVER plan to fly again....take that TSA!!!!
I friend outside Milwaukee had a car wreck in December and needed someone to take care of her a few days, I figured...OK this is a great time to test the 'train theory'.... am I destined to take a train and enjoy myself, or be forever relegated to driving whereever I want to go?
I absorbed everything I could read about Amtrak on these forums, and decided to give it a go... but the days I wanted were booked from IND to CHI, but the little button still said "book rooms", so I found ONE ROOMETTE still open for the day I wanted to travel. So I booked it...
Amtrak leaves IND daily at 6:00am, so off to the station at "O'dark thirty", got my ticket and immediately was able to board. Upon arrival, my SCA Owen grabbed my bag and wisked me off to my comfey room, all made up and ready for a two hour (at least) nap. But I was too excited, I wanted to see everything. Owen, offered me the 'nickel tour' of the sleeping car, then suggested I really try to take a nap while I could, and he would wake me at 7:30 for breakfast.
7:30 arrived with a knock at my door and a fresh cup of coffee delivered (without even asking) by my new friend, Owen. Owen had taking care of seating for breakfast, and as soon as I freshened up, off I went. Not too bad for 'train food' at least there was fresh fruit and good coffee. The company was also good, and I was able to talk to a seasoned train traveler, who gave me a few hints about routes and finding a good price.
Back to my room, and there is my morning paper, I spent a wonderful crisp winter morning watching the scenery following a night of snow and the countryside was gorgeous.
About 9:30, Owen knocked on my door, another cup of fresh coffee, this guy could read my mind!
Upon arrival in CHI, we were met by Red Caps (didn't know who they were), but my morning breakfast companion motioned me to join them, and off we went. I was a little overwhelmed by all the new sights and sounds, and didn;t know where to go next. Thankfully, my new train friends recognized my confusion, and enlightened me about the Metropolitan Lounge. I could wait there until my next train left for Milwaukee.... WOW what a morning!
I have been converted! Thank you Owen, for making my first train experience so wonderful.
Here's to MANY more!!
I am now scheduling the rest of my trips for 2011.
IND-CHI-San Antonio, TX (Jan 22-29)
IND-CHI-Wisconsin Dells, WI (April)
IND-Philadelphia (May)
IND-CHI-Reno, NV*** (October)
**contemplating making this an UBER trip (is there such a thing?) perhaps finishing the week in RENO and finishing the trip to San Francisco, then taking the train down the coast to LA, then back across southern US to San Antonio, and back to CHI-IND.
Thanks to the postings in the forums, things were a little less stressful, and at least I had some idea of what to expect.
Diana in Indiana
I friend outside Milwaukee had a car wreck in December and needed someone to take care of her a few days, I figured...OK this is a great time to test the 'train theory'.... am I destined to take a train and enjoy myself, or be forever relegated to driving whereever I want to go?
I absorbed everything I could read about Amtrak on these forums, and decided to give it a go... but the days I wanted were booked from IND to CHI, but the little button still said "book rooms", so I found ONE ROOMETTE still open for the day I wanted to travel. So I booked it...
Amtrak leaves IND daily at 6:00am, so off to the station at "O'dark thirty", got my ticket and immediately was able to board. Upon arrival, my SCA Owen grabbed my bag and wisked me off to my comfey room, all made up and ready for a two hour (at least) nap. But I was too excited, I wanted to see everything. Owen, offered me the 'nickel tour' of the sleeping car, then suggested I really try to take a nap while I could, and he would wake me at 7:30 for breakfast.
7:30 arrived with a knock at my door and a fresh cup of coffee delivered (without even asking) by my new friend, Owen. Owen had taking care of seating for breakfast, and as soon as I freshened up, off I went. Not too bad for 'train food' at least there was fresh fruit and good coffee. The company was also good, and I was able to talk to a seasoned train traveler, who gave me a few hints about routes and finding a good price.
Back to my room, and there is my morning paper, I spent a wonderful crisp winter morning watching the scenery following a night of snow and the countryside was gorgeous.
About 9:30, Owen knocked on my door, another cup of fresh coffee, this guy could read my mind!
Upon arrival in CHI, we were met by Red Caps (didn't know who they were), but my morning breakfast companion motioned me to join them, and off we went. I was a little overwhelmed by all the new sights and sounds, and didn;t know where to go next. Thankfully, my new train friends recognized my confusion, and enlightened me about the Metropolitan Lounge. I could wait there until my next train left for Milwaukee.... WOW what a morning!
I have been converted! Thank you Owen, for making my first train experience so wonderful.
Here's to MANY more!!
I am now scheduling the rest of my trips for 2011.
IND-CHI-San Antonio, TX (Jan 22-29)
IND-CHI-Wisconsin Dells, WI (April)
IND-Philadelphia (May)
IND-CHI-Reno, NV*** (October)
**contemplating making this an UBER trip (is there such a thing?) perhaps finishing the week in RENO and finishing the trip to San Francisco, then taking the train down the coast to LA, then back across southern US to San Antonio, and back to CHI-IND.
Thanks to the postings in the forums, things were a little less stressful, and at least I had some idea of what to expect.
Diana in Indiana