(I apologize to any Iowans who read this. I'm sure you're a lovely person with many great qualities.)
I am so bored on the delayed Zephyr #6 right now that I'm starting my trip report early.
When I got on the Zephyr at 6 this morning in Lincoln, I was so happy to be back in a roomette. I was also excited because my excellent SCA from my last trip, Nathan, was my SCA once again. And since the delay had caused people to cancel their plans, he moved me to an upstairs roomette instead of #13 that I was booked in.
Knowing I was only booked in coach on the way back, I realized that would be untenable. I called Amtrak to see if any roomettes had opened up. One had, as well as two bedrooms, the bedroom being only $20 more than the roomette! So I'm booked in a bedroom for the way back, which will be my first.
My good friend is picking me up in Chicago, she works quite near the station and her plan was to pick me up after work. I told her last night it'd probably be a couple hours delayed, and then texted her this morning saying to make it a three hour delay. Then after sitting in Omaha, I told her it was looking like she'd pick me up around 8. Then 10:30pm. Now Midnight. My friend is more annoyed at Amtrak than I am. I'm pretty positive and hey, I'm still on a train, right?! What's to be grumpy about?
Growing up in Nebraska I had plenty of reasons to hate Iowa. It's right next door which makes it convenient. Their football teams sucked, plus I dated a male ("man" is too generous) who was from Iowa, and was a die-hard Hawkeyes fan. And was also the worst. Just the worst.
So when it took us three hours to get from Boone to Ames, sitting. In sidings. Staring at Iowa corn. Even my good humor was starting to wane. I should have brought more than one book. I should have brought some booze. I should have never dated that jerk 5 years ago. I can't believe the Huskers barely beat the Hawkeyes last season. So many regrets in one roomette.
Dinner was Amstew though, so I can cross that off the bucket list. And we're moving along at a pretty good click, which helps the spirits. Every click of the rails brings us closer to the glorious Mississippi, and thus my salvation from this desolate place.
When I'm back and sane, I'll add some pictures and make this more coherent and more train-details-y, but I just had to write to SOMEONE to cut the boredom and make me feel productive.
Thank you for your time, this has been a public service announcement.
I am so bored on the delayed Zephyr #6 right now that I'm starting my trip report early.
When I got on the Zephyr at 6 this morning in Lincoln, I was so happy to be back in a roomette. I was also excited because my excellent SCA from my last trip, Nathan, was my SCA once again. And since the delay had caused people to cancel their plans, he moved me to an upstairs roomette instead of #13 that I was booked in.
Knowing I was only booked in coach on the way back, I realized that would be untenable. I called Amtrak to see if any roomettes had opened up. One had, as well as two bedrooms, the bedroom being only $20 more than the roomette! So I'm booked in a bedroom for the way back, which will be my first.
My good friend is picking me up in Chicago, she works quite near the station and her plan was to pick me up after work. I told her last night it'd probably be a couple hours delayed, and then texted her this morning saying to make it a three hour delay. Then after sitting in Omaha, I told her it was looking like she'd pick me up around 8. Then 10:30pm. Now Midnight. My friend is more annoyed at Amtrak than I am. I'm pretty positive and hey, I'm still on a train, right?! What's to be grumpy about?
Growing up in Nebraska I had plenty of reasons to hate Iowa. It's right next door which makes it convenient. Their football teams sucked, plus I dated a male ("man" is too generous) who was from Iowa, and was a die-hard Hawkeyes fan. And was also the worst. Just the worst.
So when it took us three hours to get from Boone to Ames, sitting. In sidings. Staring at Iowa corn. Even my good humor was starting to wane. I should have brought more than one book. I should have brought some booze. I should have never dated that jerk 5 years ago. I can't believe the Huskers barely beat the Hawkeyes last season. So many regrets in one roomette.
Dinner was Amstew though, so I can cross that off the bucket list. And we're moving along at a pretty good click, which helps the spirits. Every click of the rails brings us closer to the glorious Mississippi, and thus my salvation from this desolate place.
When I'm back and sane, I'll add some pictures and make this more coherent and more train-details-y, but I just had to write to SOMEONE to cut the boredom and make me feel productive.
Thank you for your time, this has been a public service announcement.
Hope they rest of the trip is better for you.
