Catching the Train

When you read the choppy sentences, can you feel the choppy movement of the train? Amtrak is not the Eurostar!

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All Aboard!

Traveling on Amtrak--The Texas Eagle--is an adventure. The 29-hour ride from Texas to Illinois is long, silly, and fabulous. If only the bathrooms could be cleaner. Did someone say adventure?

Ahhh! the thrill of boarding the train and settling into the roomette. Checking out all the gadgets. Figuring out how the door works--and not getting too worried when you can't get it open again. It will open--you don't have to spend the next 29 hours stuck in your room. Looking at each other and laughing. Turning on the lights and off again. Adjusting the seats. Closing and opening the curtains. Folding down the table. Feeling adventurous and childish - what's wrong with that?

The train starts to move promptly at 7:00am. "Who wants to ride backwards?" The smallest one easily gives in. The smallest one also gets to sleep in the upper bunk later tonight. That's okay, you're not scared. It has a harness so you won't fall out. Breakfast in the room because the dining car doesn't open until after Austin when the dining crew comes aboard. You're too excited to eat, but Ken isn't.

Walking through a moving train: Walk with your feet wide apart--"like John Wayne" you tell Ken. Walk fast before you can bang into the wall, or worse. Standing in the room to check through the overnight bag for reading material while the train is flying down the track is an adventure all by itself. If you weigh seven stone, you will probably lose your balance. Ken will catch you. Ken will hold on until you can sit down again.

There are two buttons to open the doors between cars. Kick the bottom one with your foot, especially if you are carrying an orange juice and coffee. Don't dwell on the floors between the cars. It's normal that they move up and down and side to side. Kick the button and move on.

"Shall we check out the sightseer car?"
Find a seat and look out the window. Go downstairs and peruse the snacks in the lounge. Return to your seat and admire the scenery. Is that another discarded tire? Was that an abandoned hot tub next to the tracks? Wave to the people who are waiting in their automobiles behind the red and white striped bar, clanging bell, and flashing lights. Who else is in this car doing what you are doing? People watch. You know they are watching you. Everyone is in this together.

Eating in the dining car means you will probably have others sit at the same table. It's fun to meet new people. Everyone has a story and something to contribute, even you. The menu isn't too bad. "Where are you from?" Where are you going?" "Have you ridden Amtrak before?" "No, but we have ridden the trains in Europe. "

Night.
Catch 40 winks. The train stops throughout the night to greet new passengers and say 'so long' to those who detrain. You don't know or care because you are dancing with the sandman. Or maybe it's only the swaying of the train. Either way, you are in full swing.
Night Night God Bless.

Never underestimate the concept of the sleeper on such a long journey. Everyone should experience the art of sleeping on a train, especially in the top bunk. A net for those necessary items you might need during the night is the work of a genius. Turn over and let the sound of the train whistle make you smile and the movement of the train lull you to sleep or maybe cause you to speculate if the train could sway too much and tip over.

Is it morning? Is it wise to apply mascara when you are on a moving train? Breakfast in the dining car and more new people to get to know. Polly and Fabian are happy to take your order. "Coffee please." "Which state are we in?"

Next stop! Yours.

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Ride the train: Discover your country * Discover new ways to spend time together * Discover yourself.