Any brushes with greatness?

[Ziv]

John Madden was on board the Empire Builder when it got delayed in Glasgow Montana for several hours. He led a bunch of folks from the train over to the Mint Bar and it was such a great party people still talk about it today.

In the 1980's I not once, but twice had the pleasure of riding the CZ from SF to Chi with John Madden.

I have told this story here before, but I went to the lounge car outside Sacramento and there he was sipping a Miller Lite.

No one spoke to him for about fifteen minutes so i went over and introduced myself. We had several meals together, more than a several beverages, and he was two doors down in the sleeper.

Perhaps a year or so later it happened again. I was flattered he remember me as "the crazy librarian."

Conversation wandered all over the place and his wit and intellect is much more than a football coach and commentator. If Ernie were alive I believe he would describe him as a wonderful traveling companion.

And another example of the wonderful folks you meet on Amtrak.

 

[Ispolkom]

On the other hand, the most interesting semi-famous person I spoke to was in the diner on the Crescent about a decade ago. We got discussing NPR and how on a few late night drives from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Toledo, OH I listened to their program on organ music. He asked me how I liked it. I told him I enjoyed it quite a bit. He then replied he was the host of said program.

Wow, you had dinner with Michael Barone? Neat. He really is a nice guy.

 

[StriderGDM]

On the other hand, the most interesting semi-famous person I spoke to was in the diner on the Crescent about a decade ago. We got discussing NPR and how on a few late night drives from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Toledo, OH I listened to their program on organ music. He asked me how I liked it. I told him I enjoyed it quite a bit. He then replied he was the host of said program.

Wow, you had dinner with Michael Barone? Neat. He really is a nice guy.

Thanks, I honestly could not recall the name, but yes, he was quite enjoyable to have dinner with.

 

[Shanghai]

My wife and I had dinner with the executive assistant to former US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice on the Lake Shore Limited

from NYP to CHI.