Hi

Glad you had a great time ( I am not surprised : )  ) and hey rest up..  we will be here : )

Love your cat's name  very cool LOL

Just got back from my trip(Cincinnati) to Chicago,LA and New Orleans..great time..a bit tired now for a report but will get back.

My cat Amtrak was glad to see me again:-)

Hi

Nice to see you here and boy that is wonderful news.  You are no doubt on your way..  I am so jealous.  I love New Orleans and the City of New Orleans brings back great memories of the trip I took on it.  There is no way to have a bad time in New Orleans so I will not even wish you a good time.. 

Hope to hear and see about your trip when you get back!

Diane

We, my wife and I, had our terrific coast to coast trip via Amtrak in October of 2008.  We boarded the train at Washington DC's Union Station and were settled into our sleeper compartment quickly.  The train crew were fantastic and actually seemed glad that we were traveling with them.

We traveled overnight and arrived in Chicago around noon the next day.  At 2:00pm we boarded the train for Seattle and even before we were out of the city of Chicago, the car attendant was at our compartment serving us Mimosas.  Since I was diabetic and cannot dring orange juice, I had to turn it down.  Shortly he came back with a glass of champagne by itself.  Felt I couldn't be left out... What a great crew...

Our meals were super, loved actually ordering from a menu and having great dinner companiions to get to know.  Can't remain strangers in an Amtrak dinning car....

We traveled two and a half days from Washington, DC to Seattle, Washington.  The return trip was just as much fun, because we saw a lot of the things that we had missed going out because it was bed time one way and not the other. 

We plan to make another train trip coast to coast in the coming months.

I also take the train, whenever possible on my business trips.  Washington, DC to Birmingham, AL then a rental car up to Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL and return to DC.  Great way to travel, restful and no harried travel hassles either.

The comfort, care and convenience of vacation travel by train is wonderful.  I shared photos and a log of our travels with my senior pals on another forum (not AARP), and they were all enthused. 

Nothing like train travel.  Beats the airlines all hands down!!1

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Final try at a post.third time..leaving on the 21st of january,Cincincinnati to Chicago,pick up the Chief to La for two days and then the Sunset Limited to New Orleans for three night with a return to Chicago by the City Of New Orleans and the Cardinal back to Cincinnati on the 31st of january.

Hi Sadie

I am always playing catch up with my posts..

I too love my trips.  People always say that I could get places much faster by plane and they don't get it that I love the train and don't want to get places faster.. that the train is part of my trip fun. 

It is wonderful that you have stayed in touch with some of your fellow passengers. My sister and I have met some really lovely people but did not stay in touch.  There are a million stories in the passengers on the trains.

Please let me know how your trip planning is going. 

Diane

I want to take a train trip from the east coast to the west coast in Canada.  A good family friend suggested it and I've run into a few roadblocks but I haven't given up the idea.  I think it would be exciting and fun.

The mystery train rides sound like fun.  When I have time I'm going to check them out and ask lots of questions.  Smile.  I loved riding the train as a child and never got over it.  I've ridden to New Orleans a few times and each time I get sad when its time to depart.  I love the ride, the excitement of seeing things and experienceing new people.  i've met a few people over the years I've managed to stay in touch with.  Its neat how it works out.

Thanks for offering this group.

Sadie

Hi

and nice to hear from you...   sorry I am just getting back to you now.

Well first of all,  have you ever thought to yourself that the song  Traveling Man by Ricky Nelson could have been written for you : )

Second, I would say, good for you to get out and see the country and go where you would like to go.  You have been on some great trips.  Do you have some in mind for the future?

I have always traveled with my sister or family or friend and have really enjoyed the time it gives you to talk and share the trip..  quite different from the four hours to Vegas plane rides..  I mean you have some time but the train is made for the sightseeing and sharing..  How can you beat eating dinner and talking to some nice people while enjoying the beauty of the country go by outside. : )

Diane