My first post vaccination Amtrak trip -- where to?
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Off to Worcester, MA and then a ride on the Downeaster to Brunswick, ME to check out the mileage from Portland. Bedrooms on the LSL to avoid as much contact as possible. Have had our second shots four weeks ago, but still wearing masks everywhere, avoiding large crowds, and only playing golf three times per week. 
Glad yall are back on the Rails!Off to Worcester, MA and then a ride on the Downeaster to Brunswick, ME to check out the mileage from Portland. Bedrooms on the LSL to avoid as much contact as possible. Have had our second shots four weeks ago, but still wearing masks everywhere, avoiding large crowds, and only playing golf three times per week.
Best to Claudia, yall keep on keepin' on!
jis
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Well, my first post-vaccination Amtrak trip turned out to be a spur of the moment unplanned Amtrak day trip from Kissimmee to Tampa and back by the Silver Star in Roomette yesterday (4/10/21).
Outbound it was a little over an hour behind schedule, but still got lunch served in my room. The Creole Shrimp Andouille was pretty good. On the way back we were about half an hour behind schedule, and I had dinner in my room. This time it was the Red Wine Braised Beef with a glass of Red Wine, and that was pretty good too.
Also got to travel through one of those famous Florida Thunderstorms on the way back. Further North in the Panhandle the same line of storms spawned at least one Tornado (actually a Waterpsout that came onto land) near Panama City.
On the outbound, for no apparent reason I was upgraded to the H Room, something that I have never traveled in before on a Viewliner. So that was somewhat interesting.
The next trip will be to New York City in a couple of weeks, to visit the Moynihan Train Hall.
Outbound it was a little over an hour behind schedule, but still got lunch served in my room. The Creole Shrimp Andouille was pretty good. On the way back we were about half an hour behind schedule, and I had dinner in my room. This time it was the Red Wine Braised Beef with a glass of Red Wine, and that was pretty good too.
Also got to travel through one of those famous Florida Thunderstorms on the way back. Further North in the Panhandle the same line of storms spawned at least one Tornado (actually a Waterpsout that came onto land) near Panama City.
On the outbound, for no apparent reason I was upgraded to the H Room, something that I have never traveled in before on a Viewliner. So that was somewhat interesting.
The next trip will be to New York City in a couple of weeks, to visit the Moynihan Train Hall.
jis
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It will be a while. So far I think Amtrak has received only 16 or 18 of the 25. They have about 12 in circulation of which 8 are on the 4 Silver consists, and 4 for standby and shop. The last four received I don't think are in service yet, but soon to be. When that happens I suspect the Silver consists now and perhaps the Silver Meteor after June 7 could go all VII.
The H Room on the VIs was the best Room I've ever had on Amtrak!Looking forward to riding in a VII before they get "rode hard and put up wet!"
About three hours, with looming thunderstorms, with the sky all lit up with lightning, so no, I did not venture far from the station. It is no fun getting hit by a lightning
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Never been to Coney Island but do completely agree with the Staten Island Ferry, incomparable, would take it twice and three times.
What's good at McSorleys?
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The ferry ride is nice, but I've done that several times already. What I'm interested in is actually seeing some stuff on Staten Island. I think I might ride the train all the way to Tottenville and walk over to Conference House Park, which has the southernmost point of New York State. Not sure what else I might want to see, or whether I can fit it in, but there are beaches, a museum of Tibetan art, and a "Chinese Scholars's Garden." Not sure where I want to have dinner, either.
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jis
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Maybe that is what I will do during my several hours layover between the arrival and departure of the Silver Meteor.
Mystic River Dragon
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I want to take a short trip before the seating capacity goes back to full. Trying to decide between Alexandria and Mystic. I could go as early as three weeks from now (my second vaccine dose was yesterday) or as late as the week of May 17.
Don't all speak at once—yes, I can hear everyone saying “Do both!”
Don't all speak at once—yes, I can hear everyone saying “Do both!”
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For me it looks like there will be a trip to Washington DC sometime in September for the RPA Fall Meeting, before I set off for the Gathering trip in October.
Do they have Jamesons and other Irish Spirits or just Beer??
Just beer. Been that way since they opened. Just their drafts
Thanks, I'm partial to "Black and Tan" myself!
And as they say," On St. Paddys Day,everyone is Irish!"
Assuming there IS a gathering (hoping & praying!) - I need to get going on planning transportation. I live in Indy - but I'd like to be a bit more creative than simply taking the Cardinal back and forth to Chicago. That being said - sleeper prices are at an all-time high, and I'm not sure the cancellation policies are as friendly now as they were before...
The kids & I have a LSL trip planned for mid-May, rescheduled from last year at the same time.
We will be fully vaccinated a week before departure. Have not been anywhere since pre-pandemic so hoping we don't have to cancel or reschedule this one too.
We will be fully vaccinated a week before departure. Have not been anywhere since pre-pandemic so hoping we don't have to cancel or reschedule this one too.
Mystic River Dragon
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Now that I’ve had my second vaccine shot, I’m going to Mystic in early May for a few days. That’s my favorite close getaway town — but this year I couldn’t get away to it!
Since I haven’t spent any travel money for a year, I am splurging and staying at an inn on the river that I’ve always wanted to try, in a room that has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river.
I’m not ready for anything indoors yet like restaurants or stores. I am planning to do a lot of walking and eat either at outside restaurants or do takeout.
I would like to try to get another short trip in as well before the Amtrak seating goes back to full capacity, so I am looking at Alexandria, Virginia, in mid-May.
Since I haven’t spent any travel money for a year, I am splurging and staying at an inn on the river that I’ve always wanted to try, in a room that has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river.
I’m not ready for anything indoors yet like restaurants or stores. I am planning to do a lot of walking and eat either at outside restaurants or do takeout.
I would like to try to get another short trip in as well before the Amtrak seating goes back to full capacity, so I am looking at Alexandria, Virginia, in mid-May.
Here's something to consider doing in Old Town Alexandria. Daylight outdoor concerts in The Secret Garden:
https://www.classicalmovements.com/secretgardenconcerts/
There are several options in mid May.
Welcome HappyTheHobo! I'm going to be in Yuma before you. (May 3). I'm going into Los Algodones for some dental work. Get your passport if you don't already have one.
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As far as I am concerned, unless the country somehow manages to descend into a complete new outbreak chaos by October, I am planning to make the Gathering trip irrespective of whether there is a Gathering or not.
It is now starting to also look more and more like about the time when the booster shot also comes about, specially if the South Africaqn and Brazilian and the Indian variants show up in large numbers and manage to elude the current vaccine generated immunity somewhat.
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