printman2000
Engineer
Had a conference I was driving to in Dallas (from Amarillo) and contacted saxman66 to see if he wanted to meet for lunch. He was up for it so we met on Wednesday, July 29th at the LBJ/Central DART station. We rode the DART light rail red line all the way into Union Station.
Dallas has done great with their light rail. The stations are clean and have lots of parking, the trains are also clean and frequent. It is not near extensive a system as some other big cities who have had rail for decades, but it is really good.
We got to Union Station and waited 30 minutes or so and the southbound TE pulled in. Lots of people getting on/off.
We then rode DART over one stop to the West End where we had lunch. After lunch, it was getting close to my conference start time to we parted ways. I went back North on the red line and saxman66 went back to Union Station.
It was a good time and I am glad we got to hang together.
As some of you might remember, Amtrak sent me a $700 voucher because of problems on our last trip. Well, since the closest station to where I live is 4 hours away (8 hours round trip), I thought this trip might work out.
I usually buy my tickets 11 months out. I am fortunate that I can plan that far ahead. Next summer we have decided to go to San Diego for vacation. We will leave on June 26, 2010. I kept checking daily to see when that date would open up, and on Thursday morning, it was finally available. I called in right away and talked to the most friendly agent I have ever talked to at Amtrak. She got everything booked for us and the total was $671 for two roomettes from Lamy to LA and business class from LA to San Diego. Told her I would be going to a station to pay for them.
On Friday, my conference ended at noon and I was back to the LBJ/Central DART station. Took the red line back to Union Station. Went to the window and "paid" for the tickets with my voucher. The agent was surprised to see a voucher for such a high amount. Got my tickets and another voucher for $29.
Back on DART red line back to my truck. Then drove back to Amarillo (6 hours). Will get those tickets in the safety deposit box on Monday.
This whole voucher thing just worked out perfectly with my trip to Dallas so I had to share it. No I just need to get my return tickets when that date opens up. Assuming I get the low buckets on the return trip, our whole trip will only cost us $671 round trip.
Not sure what I will use the rest of the voucher for.
Dallas has done great with their light rail. The stations are clean and have lots of parking, the trains are also clean and frequent. It is not near extensive a system as some other big cities who have had rail for decades, but it is really good.
We got to Union Station and waited 30 minutes or so and the southbound TE pulled in. Lots of people getting on/off.
We then rode DART over one stop to the West End where we had lunch. After lunch, it was getting close to my conference start time to we parted ways. I went back North on the red line and saxman66 went back to Union Station.
It was a good time and I am glad we got to hang together.
As some of you might remember, Amtrak sent me a $700 voucher because of problems on our last trip. Well, since the closest station to where I live is 4 hours away (8 hours round trip), I thought this trip might work out.
I usually buy my tickets 11 months out. I am fortunate that I can plan that far ahead. Next summer we have decided to go to San Diego for vacation. We will leave on June 26, 2010. I kept checking daily to see when that date would open up, and on Thursday morning, it was finally available. I called in right away and talked to the most friendly agent I have ever talked to at Amtrak. She got everything booked for us and the total was $671 for two roomettes from Lamy to LA and business class from LA to San Diego. Told her I would be going to a station to pay for them.
On Friday, my conference ended at noon and I was back to the LBJ/Central DART station. Took the red line back to Union Station. Went to the window and "paid" for the tickets with my voucher. The agent was surprised to see a voucher for such a high amount. Got my tickets and another voucher for $29.
Back on DART red line back to my truck. Then drove back to Amarillo (6 hours). Will get those tickets in the safety deposit box on Monday.
This whole voucher thing just worked out perfectly with my trip to Dallas so I had to share it. No I just need to get my return tickets when that date opens up. Assuming I get the low buckets on the return trip, our whole trip will only cost us $671 round trip.
Not sure what I will use the rest of the voucher for.
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