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The approach into SLC was nothing like I had ever seen, mountains, more mountains, the pilots taking us past yet more mountains, and then, pink and purple lakes!? I am from Michigan, lakes are not lavender! I don't know how to describe how otherwordly this looked to me. It was so far from my...

However, I had to focus my attention on how to get to the airport. At the end of the train platform, there was wonderfully clear signage directing people to go up a level to catch the airport connection. This turned out to be an enclosed platform, with more clear signage, and while waiting for...

So here we are, the final morning in California for me, the start of a conference for my son. Other attendees had started arriving the night before, but he wasn't concerned as there were no professional obligations yet, as people were mostly getting checked in to their rooms and maybe getting...

Happy Thanksgiving all, and thank you for the comments. In terms of the grocery roundup, my absolute favorite is a Michigan based chain, Meijer's, which has been in business continuously for a long time and offers variety, quality, and mostly decent pricing, in my opinion. Kroger is a...

Exiting the subway in San Francisco reminds me of exiting the Red line trains in downtown Chicago - escalator ride upwards, a beautiful cityscape greets you and if you're lucky, beautiful weather. I loved the city on sight. One day was not going to be enough time. It was a very short walk to...

I went to sleep relatively early, son stayed up later catching up on his correspondence and such in the living area. As is our norm when traveling together, I was up first and went downstairs in search of coffee, although there was coffee available in the room. The Hyatt actually offered a...

Thanks Caravan! You know I very much like your reports too. You get great photos, I probably need work in that aspect. Maybe I can try to append a couple at the conclusion. Anyway, the Caltrain ride to Emeryville went by very quickly. The interior California stops were interesting in that...

The Sacramento Amtrak station is an impressively large building, with an imposing exterior and an expansive waiting room inside. You enter from the street side, and just opposite, exit to the track side. Outside the back doors, you will find another outdoor area where you can sit in the shade...

Once you exit the airport, the city bus stop is across the street from the terminal entrance/exit. Apple Maps was right on the money as to its location and the bus times. I had singles ready for the fare which was only, one of those! The signage at a covered shelter there was impressive, with...

Thanks as ALWAYS to Eric and Pat, my enduring inspirations for these reports! On to Day 2 of travel! The alarm went off at 5 am, and I groggily got out of the comfortable bed to look out the window. It was still dark and rather drizzly. Brewed a cup of coffee to sip on while getting everything...

In room, unpacking some, time for dinner and what do you know, there was that uneaten stromboli in my suitcase :) I'm sure this goes against every food safety rule, but I ate the whole thing, with no ill effect, along with some celery, carrots and apple slices I had brought from home. I also...

The CTA Blue Line, to me, is just as iconic and brimming with a sense of possibility, as are Union Station and O'Hare. The slow and hypnotic strains of a musician playing his saxophone filled the air as I descended onto the platform. This was during rush hour and the trains going in both...

With the late morning arrival into Chicago, I was getting hungry, although no coffee was needed, having properly caffeinated before leaving home. It was fun to just stroll around the station for a bit, pulling my rollaboard, in no particular hurry, taking note of the construction progress on...

It was a cool, sunny and pleasant fall morning, with a decent crowd. The conductors were not concerned with directing traffic, we all more or less found seats wherever we could. I was close to the end of the line and ended up walking back to almost the last car, where there were still open...

Departure day was getting closer! Son flew to LAX from Raleigh-Durham on a nonstop. He's a tall guy and was very ready to stretch his legs on arrival after being cramped for almost 5 hours. Upon arrival he got busy with conference activities very quickly, and I started packing my bag while...

Earlier this fall (late September) I had the opportunity to travel in California, and by rail at that. My son was presenting at 2 different conferences and he invited me along for some adventure. I jumped at the chance and we started trip planning late in the summer. He was going to be in LA...

Great report, fun to read! I chuckled at the mention of an Ohio State fan making a comment to you. They are feeling their oats this year, compared to last year when the OSU fans at the stadium for The Game were downright civil and even courteous. Had the same experience in NC recently when an...

This is an amazing report... but you're not home yet right? There will be more?

Yes, the subject matter is not exactly cheery but it’s a catchy tune. The police siren and bullhorn “give yourself up” oddly seem to work in the context of the song.

Thank you as always for this wonderful travelogue! It's been a long week but I had a sneaking suspicion there would be this report to look forward to, as a reward, the next time I logged in. And now, like everyone else reading, I am daydreaming once again about a long distance western train...