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 and then San Francisco, and it seemed tailor made for a leisurely exploration on the San Joaquin to get from Point A to Point B, and experience the rail journey along the way. We thought it would work if I used my retiree flight bennies to join him the last day in LA, and take the train together North. From SFO the plan was for me to book a paid flight home to DTW, and his travel back to Raleigh was already arranged for him.
Well, as it turned out, this plan needed to be revised. Eric and Pat, among my favorite writers here, have taught me that it is a good idea to have a goal in mind when planning a trip. At this juncture, we had not really thought about the goals, just the fun idea of taking a new train. But as the conference planning got underway, and he learned more about the schedule and the venue, it became evident that having me show up in LA was perhaps not the best idea. So we had a Face Time meeting and talked everything through. We clarified our goals: successful meetings for him, hopefully some time for both of us to explore if possible, and an avoidance of unneeded stress. My goal was to assist in whatever direction this took, for his professional commitments, and I offered that I didn't need to be there at all, if that was best. He mentioned the chief concern that the 9 hour journey on the day in between. In fact he was worried. The first 2 hours were on a bus to Bakersfield to catch the train, and this incited the angst. It sounded fun when first discussed, but what if the bus was late? And even if everything was on time, that was a late arrival with so much to get done the next day. 4 days in LA meant he would need to get his clothes cleaned, and his presentation poster ironed, materials printed, and other tasks. We solved the issue by canceling our tickets on the San Joaquin, and booking him a one way flight from LAX to SFO. I abandoned the flying to LAX in favor of meeting him in SFO. Having changed the plan, I just assumed the cost rather than bother his travel desk again. This far ahead, there were numerous inexpensive options between the 2 airports. The flight would arrive in the early afternoon, and we would have a free night before the conference opened. The SFO venue was also housed in the gigantic Marriott downtown, which made it a little easier for a tagalong to blend in. So with goals clarified, travel arrangements made, the stress was gone and we both looked forward to the adventure. The only regret was daughter not being able to join us due to her work schedule. However, we will definitely plan a family trip, after how wonderful this turned out to be!
Well, as it turned out, this plan needed to be revised. Eric and Pat, among my favorite writers here, have taught me that it is a good idea to have a goal in mind when planning a trip. At this juncture, we had not really thought about the goals, just the fun idea of taking a new train. But as the conference planning got underway, and he learned more about the schedule and the venue, it became evident that having me show up in LA was perhaps not the best idea. So we had a Face Time meeting and talked everything through. We clarified our goals: successful meetings for him, hopefully some time for both of us to explore if possible, and an avoidance of unneeded stress. My goal was to assist in whatever direction this took, for his professional commitments, and I offered that I didn't need to be there at all, if that was best. He mentioned the chief concern that the 9 hour journey on the day in between. In fact he was worried. The first 2 hours were on a bus to Bakersfield to catch the train, and this incited the angst. It sounded fun when first discussed, but what if the bus was late? And even if everything was on time, that was a late arrival with so much to get done the next day. 4 days in LA meant he would need to get his clothes cleaned, and his presentation poster ironed, materials printed, and other tasks. We solved the issue by canceling our tickets on the San Joaquin, and booking him a one way flight from LAX to SFO. I abandoned the flying to LAX in favor of meeting him in SFO. Having changed the plan, I just assumed the cost rather than bother his travel desk again. This far ahead, there were numerous inexpensive options between the 2 airports. The flight would arrive in the early afternoon, and we would have a free night before the conference opened. The SFO venue was also housed in the gigantic Marriott downtown, which made it a little easier for a tagalong to blend in. So with goals clarified, travel arrangements made, the stress was gone and we both looked forward to the adventure. The only regret was daughter not being able to join us due to her work schedule. However, we will definitely plan a family trip, after how wonderful this turned out to be!
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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 had some cookies and pretzels for later, and a couple of pints of beer. My firm opinion is that this (beers) helps protect you against possible food poisoning. I went for another walk around the hotel grounds for fresh air and to stretch legs, and then returned to the room. By this time it was getting late, and I had to make decisions about what the heck I was going to do the next day. I don't normally wing it to this extent, even using benefits, but I was so undecided up until this point. There was a direct flight to SFO that looked feasible, but there was also a flight to Sacramento with seats open, and that opened up a possibility of taking Amtrak from there into the Bay area. There were seats available on the train, and I had so hoped to be able to ride one of these California trains, so that cemented the decision. Early wake up so jumped in the shower after doing some prepacking, setting my phone alarm after confirming the shuttle times with the hotel. Slept like a baby in that King bed. 
