OK, before you go on, this isn't a river trip report. If that's all you want dont read this.
In answer to a need in wisconsin to help with a family crises last week it was necessary for me to shut down production here in Louisiana and travel north. For several reasons I decided to take Amtrak instead of flying/renting a car or driving my Mazda 1200 miles and buy motel time and meals. So, I got Amtrak tickets and walked the two blocks from my shop to the station and climbed on the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, headed north. I got a Roomette, just a small private room with 110 V. power, a great view, very quiet ride, free coffee, toilet ten feet down the hall, shower on the lower level of the car, and a car attendant on duty. First class tickets gave me meals on board at no cost and access to the Metropolitan VIP Lounge in Chicago during a layover.
The food was great. People on trains make eye contact and speak with one another. The crew was helpful and friendly. No one checked my pockets or my bags. In fact, no one touched my bags, I carried them in and put them on the shelf in the lower level of my car and had access to them the whole trip.
The view was great. the ride was a bit rocky, but hey, it's a train. The bedding was clean and fresh and I slept well.
Overall, I traveled on one of America's great overnight trains and a nice bus a total of about 2400 miles and ate six good meals, all for $425......total.
I you haven't ridden a train lately, give it a try.
Cheers, Piper
In answer to a need in wisconsin to help with a family crises last week it was necessary for me to shut down production here in Louisiana and travel north. For several reasons I decided to take Amtrak instead of flying/renting a car or driving my Mazda 1200 miles and buy motel time and meals. So, I got Amtrak tickets and walked the two blocks from my shop to the station and climbed on the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, headed north. I got a Roomette, just a small private room with 110 V. power, a great view, very quiet ride, free coffee, toilet ten feet down the hall, shower on the lower level of the car, and a car attendant on duty. First class tickets gave me meals on board at no cost and access to the Metropolitan VIP Lounge in Chicago during a layover.
The food was great. People on trains make eye contact and speak with one another. The crew was helpful and friendly. No one checked my pockets or my bags. In fact, no one touched my bags, I carried them in and put them on the shelf in the lower level of my car and had access to them the whole trip.
The view was great. the ride was a bit rocky, but hey, it's a train. The bedding was clean and fresh and I slept well.
Overall, I traveled on one of America's great overnight trains and a nice bus a total of about 2400 miles and ate six good meals, all for $425......total.
I you haven't ridden a train lately, give it a try.
Cheers, Piper