Join This GroupMarch 10, 2008
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New Here and Very Excited!
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Zenobia said:
on November 12, 2009 09:13 PM ET
Hello To All Thanks for having me. My name is Zenobia and most people call me Miss Zee. I have had a red letter year filled with firsts and I have this hankering to make next year the first time I set foot on an Amtrak train. This past June, I went on a plane from where I live ( Minnesota) to Meridian MS which is the birthplace of my parents and grandparents. My brother and I were born and raised in Chicago Illinois, but traveled to MS every year to see our family in the early and late 1950's. Now, I am long winded so I am trying to control my long sentences. I had a ball flying but I have this picture of the ultimate train journey to see some of the New England states. Perhaps a tour, where I might journal and wax philosophical. If not that, I could like sample some of the local cuisine and like any glutton for scenery, try out my yet unpurchased digital camera ( hoping for a Christmas gift of such as well) . A little about me. I am as some say, "Busting up the gloomy" after a lot of loss and tragedy in my life. Got my first book published in July and am working on the next in a three part series. Also working on a larger work for publication. I have raised all the kids and most of the grandkids. It is sooooo my turn! Just made sixty two. Life is looking good. Got on some local media to promote my book and heading for the wild blue yonder. I "feel" as if I am going to LOVE this group! You are all so VIBRANT! I may know my way around book writing, but I am a total novice when it comes to traveling, so I will need all the help and advice I can get, and I love meeting new people, so I think this is going to be wonderful! All for now! Zee |
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Hi Georgia!
Wow! Thats a lot of great information that I certainly can use. Like everyone else in this group, you are so helpful. I plan to travel in the coming year and I see right now that I will not be in the dark.
Thank you again and enjoy the upcoming holiday season!
Zee
Reply to Post
Hi and Welcome aboard. There's a group in Chicago (where I just lived for 15 years) called the 20th Century Rail Club and they have a whole catelog of trips, even Red Wing! One day to two weeks. They are very nice people and they have members that accompany the guest on these trips, that act as guides. I've been on two one day trips, and enjoyed them both. Here's their website and they have a catelog there and you can also request a hard copy. http://www.20thcentury.org
Amtrak also offers complete reservations, hotels, transportations, etc. Request their brochure book. And if you check on-line there even more train groups that do all the accomodations and travel with you. One of the easiest and most interesting is to go to Washington DC. That's an easy one. Evening run from Chicago to Washington DC. (Save money on a sleeper as it's only one night.) Out the station, catch a cab to your hotel. Enjoy the capital. Trolleys run around all day long, ride all day on and off with the driver telling the history for about $30. Then walk, etc. Make hotel reservations before going, check ratings with Travelocity, AARP and Expedia or Hotels.com. I check 3 ratings to pick mine.
Just some ideas. Hope this helps. Absolutely the best rated is Coast Startlight California to Seattle. You can fly to LA, then, I prefer, limo/town car to take me vs. cab to Amtrak. A few dollars extra and the ride is so much better. Or stay in a LA hotel one night, then catch train.
Enjoy.
Hi and welcome to the group.
As you can see, there are lots of experienced and friendly train travelers here. I hope you enjoy your time here.
Diane
edited on November 14, 2009 04:12 PM ET
Hi, Miss Zee,
Nice to meet a writer since I am such an avid reader! If you take a trip to the New England states, make sure you let us know how it goes. My husband and I went to the west coast (Washington and Oregon, and loved it. We started from Virginia and went through Chicago. After that we were on the northern route to the coast.
We got a bedroom and bath for such a long trip (three days) and loved it. The people were fun, the staff wonderful and very helpful to newbies like we were. I wouldn't hesitant to do it again! We took two cases and a carryon and they fit nicely into the room. If you go for an extended trip, make sure you get a bedroom with bath. It makes traveling so easy! We met so many nice people. They really didn't like me in the dining car because I was having so much fun talking to others!
You must take a trip on the Empire Builder is great and you get to see the country as it should be seen, not just flying over it.
Hey, I'm sixty-two also! Go get 'em and enjoy yourself. After your first trip you'll be a pro. You are so lucky to be able to write. Congrats on publishing your first book! May I ask the title so I can keep an eye out for it? I read so much I think my husband gets upset with me. Can't help it..I'm hooked!
The people in this group are great! I love reading about their trips. Am looking forward to more train trips when we retire.
Be well!
June
edited on November 13, 2009 09:47 AM ET
Ms Zee,
I've lived in New England a good part of my life and love it here. If your get set for some train travel, this is the place to see, IMO!
I'm taking a trip to Chicago for Thanksgiving; you might be interested in reading the wonderful advice I've just received from AARP members in the topic which I initiated here on asking for travel advice...I suggest this because it might be a good travel start for you, too. The topic to check out here is: "Can you give me your seasoned advice on what to expect on my train trip?"
-Edie
