the_traveler has left the building!

[the_traveler]

the_traveler has left PDX for the 3rd time! (2nd time today! :lol: ) Right now, I'm on the CS, and plan to post as track conditions permit! :lol: (I'm typing on an iPhone!) When I (finally) get back, I will do a real trip report.

I will check back every so often, so if you have questions - please post.

Departing PDX on 8/20 was interesting. I got to Union Station - and found out my reservation got CANCELLED! Then when rebooking, they said there were NO seats on the CS! (Calling back I found out there were lower level coach seats - I booked it! (It turned out I got an upper level seat! )

 

[sunchaser]

the_traveler has left PDX for the 3rd time! (2nd time today! :lol: ) Right now, I'm on the CS, and plan to post as track conditions permit! :lol: (I'm typing on an iPhone!) When I (finally) get back, I will do a real trip report.
I will check back every so often, so if you have questions - please post.

Departing PDX on 8/20 was interesting. I got to Union Station - and found out my reservation got CANCELLED! Then when rebooking, they said there were NO seats on the CS! (Calling back I found out there were lower level coach seats - I booked it! (It turned out I got an upper level seat! )

Hey, have fun! How's the weather, were you able to get dinner, how's the staff? Please keep us posted if you can....

 

[the_traveler]

Just had dinner - the special was crab cakes. Was good - did not try the flat iron "mystery meat" because I had to pay for it. Had a real bottle of wine from the PPC!

So far the OBS has been great. Just past the landslide area - still bare but had a landslide detection fence.

Next stop (for me a short connection :lol: ) MTZ - before I backtrack to SAC for a full day layover - CSRM here I come!

 

[tp49]

Just had dinner - the special was crab cakes. Was good - did not try the flat iron "mystery meat" because I had to pay for it. Had a real bottle of wine from the PPC!
So far the OBS has been great. Just past the landslide area - still bare but had a landslide detection fence.

Next stop (for me a short connection :lol: ) MTZ - before I backtrack to SAC for a full day layover - CSRM here I come!

CRSM is always a fun time. Hope you brought $$$ to spend in their store. It's practically in my backyard so I have to stay clear because I know I could spend a full paycheck in their book section.

 

[sunchaser]

Forgive the ignorance, but what is CRSM? Are you referring to the California State Railroad Museum?

 

[Bob Dylan]

the_traveler has left PDX for the 3rd time! (2nd time today! :lol: ) Right now, I'm on the CS, and plan to post as track conditions permit! :lol: (I'm typing on an iPhone!) When I (finally) get back, I will do a real trip report.
I will check back every so often, so if you have questions - please post.

Departing PDX on 8/20 was interesting. I got to Union Station - and found out my reservation got CANCELLED! Then when rebooking, they said there were NO seats on the CS! (Calling back I found out there were lower level coach seats - I booked it! (It turned out I got an upper level seat! )

Glad to hear youre back in civilization(on a train!)!!How is it that your res got cancelled,the train is usually full this time of year so perhaps they sold your seat for $$$ instead of AGR points?I had tacos @ a taqueria for supper,am envious about eating on the CS,did you win the wine or buy it in the PPC?(crab cakes yes!!!pot roast adios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I look forward to seeing the rr museum when I can get some time in SAC,everyone raves about it as you know!Will look for your reports as you continue your epic journey through the US!Also I PMd you!

 

[the_traveler]

CRSM is always a fun time. Hope you brought $$$ to spend in their store. It's practically in my backyard so I have to stay clear because I know I could spend a full paycheck in their book section.

The last (and only) time that I was at CRSM was over 15 years ago - and I wanted to get back there!

 

[tp49]

Forgive the ignorance, but what is CRSM?

Whoops, actually it's CSRM California State Railroad Museum.

 

[tp49]

CRSM is always a fun time. Hope you brought $$$ to spend in their store. It's practically in my backyard so I have to stay clear because I know I could spend a full paycheck in their book section.

The last (and only) time that I was at CRSM was over 15 years ago - and I wanted to get back there!

I'm glad everytime I run past it it's late enough that they're not open so my wallet is safe. I last went in February on "Free Museum Day."

BTW, if you're into Abe Lincoln there is a great exhibit traveling around that is at the California Museum and runs through Sunday. To get there just take light rail from Amtrak over to the Archives Plaza station (4 stops.)

 

[the_traveler]

Forgive the ignorance, but what is CRSM? Are you referring to the California State Railroad Museum?

CSRM = California State Railroad Museum - one of the best in the country!

 

[JayPea]

Just had dinner - the special was crab cakes. Was good - did not try the flat iron "mystery meat" because I had to pay for it. Had a real bottle of wine from the PPC!
So far the OBS has been great. Just past the landslide area - still bare but had a landslide detection fence.

Next stop (for me a short connection :lol: ) MTZ - before I backtrack to SAC for a full day layover - CSRM here I come!

The CSRM is well worth it. I could spend that whole day's layover there!

 

[the_traveler]

What I think happened with the cancellation is I rescheduled some travel on 7/7 - and AGR also included that trip in the cancellation. I didn't know it until 8/20!

It stopped me from doing the PDX-SEA-SPK-PDX circle. Instead, I did a PDX-TAC-VAN-PDX circle trip - using points and paying for VAN-PDX to get the 2 million points!

 

[jmbgeg]

Just had dinner - the special was crab cakes. Was good - did not try the flat iron "mystery meat" because I had to pay for it. Had a real bottle of wine from the PPC!
So far the OBS has been great. Just past the landslide area - still bare but had a landslide detection fence.

Next stop (for me a short connection :lol: ) MTZ - before I backtrack to SAC for a full day layover - CSRM here I come!

Inquiring minds want to know. Why would you have to pay for the flat iron mystery meat but not the crab cakes? :unsure:

 

[the_traveler]

Inquiring minds want to know. Why would you have to pay for the flat iron mystery meat but not the crab cakes? :unsure:

Because I'm cheap and went coach for this "short" segment! I figured it was better to pay $16.75 than $22.50 for whatever it is! After LAX, I will have a roomette so may take a chance! :blink:

 

[Bob Dylan]

Inquiring minds want to know. Why would you have to pay for the flat iron mystery meat but not the crab cakes? :unsure:

Because I'm cheap and went coach for this "short" segment! I figured it was better to pay $16.75 than $22.50 for whatever it is! After LAX, I will have a roomette so may take a chance! :blink:

Please sir take the word of we experienced folk and do NOT order the "rose by any other name",so called,alleged flat iron armadillo grilled to your taste in a secret sauce known only to ancient extinct train riders that tried it! (Doesnt taste like chicken! :lol: )Even for Free,your favorite word ,its not worth it!

(this is the one post by that fellow from Australia that I might agree with,IMHO its terrible and I had it on the SL!!)Must be in SAC by now

getting ready to roll to MTZ,did the conductor/OBS let you stay in the sleeper or did you have to make the long walk to the back of the train to sit among the great unwashed for an hour? :unsure:

 

[the_traveler]

Arrival into SAC @ 5:45 - over 30 minutes EARLY! It's very surprising since the CS was late at Chico - the last stop!

 

[the_traveler]

I was among "the little people" all night! It didn't make sense to spend 15000 points for <20 hours - so I spent 5500 instead!

Now 20000 points for 5 nights - that's a different story! :lol: (That's Sunday night!) Today is some train riding and an overnight Ambus to SBA (and LAX)!

 

[jmbgeg]

Arrival into SAC @ 5:45 - over 30 minutes EARLY! It's very surprising since the CS was late at Chico - the last stop!

On my last two CS trips, we got into SAC very early and it allowed me to take earlier San Joaquins connections. The CS is doing a lot better on OTP, and the delay buffers allow it to get in early without freight interference.

 

[the_traveler]

Sitting at OKJ awaiting an SJ to MTZ and then a Capitol Corridor train back to SAC! (Don't ask - more train time and 400 more points! ) Arrived OKJ @ 8:35 - on time!

 

[mercedeslove]

I LOVED the CSRM! I had so much fun there. I was so glad I went.

 

[the_traveler]

When I got to the CSRM, I took out my camera from my overnight bag - expecting that I would need to check it. I was wrong! They have no bag check - and let you carry your luggage around! So I carried my overnight bag & netbook case around!

Even stores like Wal-Mart & BJ's Wholesale Club make you check your bag. I was surprised that CSRM did not!

 

[RTOlson]

I kinda wish they made you check your bag, or at least had the option available. I once walked around with an overnight bag and a backpack. I got sore after a while.

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

Since I work shows, and starting with Elvis, "Left the building", Each time I see the Subject heading I want to change it to say "Traveler has left the Station"

Mahalo

Eric

 

[the_traveler]

But which station? :huh:

Just today alone, I have left EVERY station between OKJ and SAC 3 times! :lol:

 

[the_traveler]

I survived the overnight Ambus from OKJ, and am waiting for 768 in SBA.

BTW: The Ambus goes from OKJ to SFC before going south.