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OBS Chief
Departed Union Station in DC on Friday, February 8th. We were able to use the Acela Lounge since we had a roomette (my son & I). This was really just a fun trip with a my son for a long weekend.
We had a Roomette on the Capital Limited and the car was the "Michigan". It was such a smooth ride too - best I can ever recall. It seemed like we were barely moving. I assume the track must be in superb condition along the old B & O route to Pittsburgh.
The long layover in Chicago allowed me time to go running along the river downtown, plus Lakeshore Drive as well as Michigan Ave. Since we were there on a Saturday the traffic and crowds were small (February 9th).
We ate lunch at Pizzeria Due (619 Wabash Ave) which is near the original Pizzeria Uno located on Ohio Street downtown. Pizzeria Due was their 2nd location after opening Uno in the 1940s. But both really are excellent and have perfect deep dish Chicago Pizza - I just prefer Due. Plus I like their location which is directly across from a Trader Joe's. Perfect for restocking healthy snacks and adding a bottle or two of chilled (white), french wine at a reasonable price. The rather long walk back to the station kept us warm.
We returned at about 2:15 PM and they announced boarding in the lounge for sleeper passengers. So we were able to get on the train really early. I think it was 2:20 when we were escorted out to the train from the Metropolitan Lounge. Our train pulled out of Chicago on time at 3 PM.
The Southwest Chief was wonderful - my new favorite train. Amazing scenery, and I especially enjoyed the open space along the route. We had an excellent view of Pike's Peak to the northwest, and we enjoyed passing through some fresh snow at several places.
On the first morning - our train startled a herd of antelope. That alone was worth the trip. One of my best memories was seeing them run at high speed with a cloud of dust and snow. Looked quite a bit like the open African plain in Kenya. And like Africa - behind the antelope was a backdrop of mountains about 50 or 60 miles beyond the train (looking south from eastern Colorado). We had full sunshine and unlimited visibility. You could see forever...
However - we encountered a rather big snow in Arizona, but it was dark and we could only see the snow when it was illuminated by street lights or car headlights.
Arrived in LA on time - but I really enjoyed the view form the Sightseer lounge looking east towards the massive mountains with lots of snow. Those mountains are really big, I had forgotten how rugged they are. So looking east towards Cajun Pass was quite a sight to see as we travelled west into downtown LA.
We caught the Coast Starlight in LA and I could not believe the scenery. That is the most gorgeous ride I have ever experienced on a train. And for me that includes train rides through Switzerland, Germany and France. But everyone has a different opinion, so my opinion is just based on my own experience as well as my fondness for the California Coast. It s a marvelous mixture of rocky coast, soft sand, and alpine like mountains. Both sides of the train were outstanding.
I was just amazed with the setting. I don't think I hardly left the Parlor Car, we had lunch in the PPC, it was a very nice, but light vegetarian lunch which I think was a Greek Salad. But wine and cheese was soon offered that afternoon, so no big deal I tend to overeat on the train anyway. And I always carry extra nuts for snacks.
We departed the Coast Starlight in San Jose - and we arrived ten minutes early which really helped us - since we caught the 8:20 CalTrain (only once an hour train from SJO to SFO area). Then took BART from CalTrain over to the Airport.
Our Hotel was the Best Western Plus at Grosvenor (airport area). I went running the next morning on the San Francisco Bay trail. You have access directly across from the Best Western. That was really nice.
We flew back home on US Air in First Class. I was disappointed that there is no US Air Club at SFO. I had planned to spend our morning wait time in the US Air Club. We changed planes in Charlotte and they have a very nice club at the Charlotte airport. It was next to our gate too.
Both flights were very nice and on time. The food in First Class is good, but not as good as Amtrak. Excellent wine though...
This was a great weekend getaway, although it took 4 nights altogether. Great scenery and we saw a lot of America.
We had a Roomette on the Capital Limited and the car was the "Michigan". It was such a smooth ride too - best I can ever recall. It seemed like we were barely moving. I assume the track must be in superb condition along the old B & O route to Pittsburgh.
The long layover in Chicago allowed me time to go running along the river downtown, plus Lakeshore Drive as well as Michigan Ave. Since we were there on a Saturday the traffic and crowds were small (February 9th).
We ate lunch at Pizzeria Due (619 Wabash Ave) which is near the original Pizzeria Uno located on Ohio Street downtown. Pizzeria Due was their 2nd location after opening Uno in the 1940s. But both really are excellent and have perfect deep dish Chicago Pizza - I just prefer Due. Plus I like their location which is directly across from a Trader Joe's. Perfect for restocking healthy snacks and adding a bottle or two of chilled (white), french wine at a reasonable price. The rather long walk back to the station kept us warm.
We returned at about 2:15 PM and they announced boarding in the lounge for sleeper passengers. So we were able to get on the train really early. I think it was 2:20 when we were escorted out to the train from the Metropolitan Lounge. Our train pulled out of Chicago on time at 3 PM.
The Southwest Chief was wonderful - my new favorite train. Amazing scenery, and I especially enjoyed the open space along the route. We had an excellent view of Pike's Peak to the northwest, and we enjoyed passing through some fresh snow at several places.
On the first morning - our train startled a herd of antelope. That alone was worth the trip. One of my best memories was seeing them run at high speed with a cloud of dust and snow. Looked quite a bit like the open African plain in Kenya. And like Africa - behind the antelope was a backdrop of mountains about 50 or 60 miles beyond the train (looking south from eastern Colorado). We had full sunshine and unlimited visibility. You could see forever...
However - we encountered a rather big snow in Arizona, but it was dark and we could only see the snow when it was illuminated by street lights or car headlights.
Arrived in LA on time - but I really enjoyed the view form the Sightseer lounge looking east towards the massive mountains with lots of snow. Those mountains are really big, I had forgotten how rugged they are. So looking east towards Cajun Pass was quite a sight to see as we travelled west into downtown LA.
We caught the Coast Starlight in LA and I could not believe the scenery. That is the most gorgeous ride I have ever experienced on a train. And for me that includes train rides through Switzerland, Germany and France. But everyone has a different opinion, so my opinion is just based on my own experience as well as my fondness for the California Coast. It s a marvelous mixture of rocky coast, soft sand, and alpine like mountains. Both sides of the train were outstanding.
I was just amazed with the setting. I don't think I hardly left the Parlor Car, we had lunch in the PPC, it was a very nice, but light vegetarian lunch which I think was a Greek Salad. But wine and cheese was soon offered that afternoon, so no big deal I tend to overeat on the train anyway. And I always carry extra nuts for snacks.
We departed the Coast Starlight in San Jose - and we arrived ten minutes early which really helped us - since we caught the 8:20 CalTrain (only once an hour train from SJO to SFO area). Then took BART from CalTrain over to the Airport.
Our Hotel was the Best Western Plus at Grosvenor (airport area). I went running the next morning on the San Francisco Bay trail. You have access directly across from the Best Western. That was really nice.
We flew back home on US Air in First Class. I was disappointed that there is no US Air Club at SFO. I had planned to spend our morning wait time in the US Air Club. We changed planes in Charlotte and they have a very nice club at the Charlotte airport. It was next to our gate too.
Both flights were very nice and on time. The food in First Class is good, but not as good as Amtrak. Excellent wine though...
This was a great weekend getaway, although it took 4 nights altogether. Great scenery and we saw a lot of America.
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Traveling with your Loved Ones on a Train makes for Memories that Last Forever! :wub:
