Previously on barskin on Amtrak: Well, I had planned a trip to see my brother and sister-in-law, traveling from Boston, MA to San Antonio, TX, and I couldn't have been more excited. Then, it all fell apart when my brother had surgery, leading to all sorts of complications. I had to cancel the trip (Lake Shore Limited to the Texas Eagle), and tried to come up with alternate plans.
Now that we are up to date, I decided on a trip to New Orleans, I have a reservation at a charming (i.e. old) guest house in the heart of the French Quarter which locals claim is the real-life House of the Rising Sun and haunted. I have my tickets on the Acela from Boston to New York and the Crescent in a bedroom to New Orleans. And tickets to return home, of course. Then, I come here and read that the Crescent is the poor relation of the Amtrak family, and there's no dining car, to boot. I am traveling alone, and I will miss the possibility of meeting and chatting with other soloists. Looks like dinner in my room for the 31 hours.
Still, I should be excited, shouldn't I? This is my first major train trip in over 50 years; at that time, I was in the British Isles, going everywhere by train, frequently in sleeper cars. It's my first Amtrak trip in about 40 years (business trips, Boston to NYC). This was a big deal to me. An adventure. I'm an old broad, who's willing to risk it.
Now that we are up to date, I decided on a trip to New Orleans, I have a reservation at a charming (i.e. old) guest house in the heart of the French Quarter which locals claim is the real-life House of the Rising Sun and haunted. I have my tickets on the Acela from Boston to New York and the Crescent in a bedroom to New Orleans. And tickets to return home, of course. Then, I come here and read that the Crescent is the poor relation of the Amtrak family, and there's no dining car, to boot. I am traveling alone, and I will miss the possibility of meeting and chatting with other soloists. Looks like dinner in my room for the 31 hours.
Still, I should be excited, shouldn't I? This is my first major train trip in over 50 years; at that time, I was in the British Isles, going everywhere by train, frequently in sleeper cars. It's my first Amtrak trip in about 40 years (business trips, Boston to NYC). This was a big deal to me. An adventure. I'm an old broad, who's willing to risk it.