Hi everyone,
I am home. My trip, thought I made the bast of it I could, was not as I expected. My friend in Illinois got mad at me. I ended up in a hotel one night and was ready to come home the nsxt morning. Mark convinced ne to stay for the rest of my vacation and, I am glad I did but I am sad over my friend though.
I kept a journal on my vacation. Rather than trying to recap my whole vacation here I will copy a page from my journal everyday for those of you who are interested.
I won't be able to get my pictures developed for a coupe weeks yet.
DAY ONE
Wed Sept 27
Smoky grapevine. I boarded the 7:45 AM bus out of Bakersfield. Got a picture of me and the bus driver who looked like she could be Fannie's daughter.
Mark cut 5 of his roses for me, oranges and pinks, and made me a train bag of green tea packets, sweet and salty granola bars, goldfish crackers, chapstick, St. Ives lotion and my favorite sweedish fish candies, then did a Corinna wave to work.
Mom showed up, I just knew she would and gave me 20 dollars to buy dinner on the train and waved me bye.
I ate 2 Entemanns donuts on the bus, a chocolate and a powdrered one and some OJ. It was NOT an Express bus and I had forgeteen to ask. Well, we did pull up right near my Cleansing Stream hotel in Van Nuy's to pick up passengers and that was a cool memory!
There's a really bad fire on the grapevine, been burning about a week now.
LA Union Station, one of my favorite places to be! Leather seats, marble floors, Union Bagel, Traxx Restaurant.............
Lot's more security here nowadays. Carts went from a buck to three dollars in two years, the hooks are missing on the one I got and so I have tied my bags together and it is quite a sight!
You have to show your ID now and get your ticket stamped before boarding..All new.
I just ate a boiled egg and some more OJ. I have two more hours to sit here and people watch.
I just opened a card from Dorothy which she told me not to open until my trip..................I AM So Surprised!! She Gave Me A Fifty Dollar Bill!!!!!
Sept 28 Well, I told DeBora initially we might be late into El Paso but I certainly wasn't expecting to be this late! We were due there this morning at 8:15 AM and just left El Paso now!!!!!!
It is 9:30 PM!!!!!
I was so sad to miss her. I called her this morning and told her what had happened and that I was sorry. She said not to worry as one of the colleges she was thinking of applying to is in EP so it was good to see what the drive was like. Coming from west Texas she said "It's a very different world over here and I've got to bring Bruce!" We were stuck behing freight trains nearly all day and I don't know WHERE we were last night. Stopped somewhere in Arizona. I have been late many times on the Eagle but this is the worst. I have learned not to try to meet people on this route. I hope I will be able to see Barbar when I return home........
As soon as I woke up this morning, having no idea where we were (and assuming close to El Paso) my watch said 7:45 and I thought, Oh my Gosh, I am meeting Debora in a half an hour and I hurried downstairs to brush my teeth and freshen up having no idea we had lost that much time overnight. Anyway, a big dissapointment.
Last night for dinner I had a ham and swiss, and half a brownie from the Sequoia deli I had packed from home. I still have two seats and hope to keep them so I have my "stuff" spread all over. I am reading "A Sunday World" and doing word searches. The book is about a woman reminiscing of her childhood days and how everything has changed so much. I had a cheesbeburger for lunch today and my tummy was still so full I just had munchies tonight. I called Dorothy to thank her for the money and , bless her 86 year old soul, she didn't know I could call from aboard a train and she just thought that was the most amazing thing!! She said she remembered I didn't get that purse in Morro Bay that I had liked so to use the 50 to buy myself a "little trinket" while on vacation!! Thank you for my train, Jesus. I am going to look out into the darkness now before I fade.
Donna can hardly wait to read all your journal entries. Sorry it was not what you expected and that you missed DeBora but I am sure you still have some great memories! Glad to have you back.....unless you want to start a trip up this way!!! LOL
Hugs Debbie
__________________
Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
thanks Train, it will be nice to read your journal. We all felt bad too when your train schedule got held up and you and DeBora couldn't meet. But you got to talk on the phone!
__________________
Ellen in PA
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power, and a sound mind."
Sept 29 AM El Paso Station is red brick with a big tower, about the size of Portland, Oregon's station. I had went in to get a paper but they were all sold out. In the summertime there is jewelry sold trainside and the "burrito lady" who makes the best burritos I have ever tasted!! As you roll into El Paso you can see the squat like, pastel colored homes in Cuidad Juarez, the fenceline, as well as border patrols. We could only get off the train for 10 minutes last night but it was better than nothing. Next break will be Dallas.
Sept 29 PM
We are somewhere between Longview and Little Rock right now. I read most of the morning, finished my libraby book about Sunday's, picnics and fried chicken. Longview Benny just got off the train and I don't miss his dirty mouth at all. Everyone else on this car is polite and courteous. Well, tonight was bad. I ate dinner in the dining car and got food poisoning that was awful. The sevice was real good and the food was too but my tummy is very unhappy. It's a real nice crew on this train, all around. The Eagle has some of then best conductors. Going to go play sudoka awhile and then go to sleep.
train here's me and what my tummy feels like today
Hi Train,
Enjoying your trip! In spite of the problems it makes me want to try going to Boise, Idaho to see my girlfriend. I had thought about a bus trip but the short trip I took to meet you, and your experience, has convinced me that the train is the best way to travel.
Love & Prayers,
Linda
__________________ May God give you for every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, for every care, a promise, and blessing in each trial, for every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh, a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer. ~An Irish Blessing
Linda,
I've no doubt that you would love the train! Having met you you are a great people person and I think you would enjoy meeting with and talking with other travelers! AND, The Coast Starlight up to Washington is one of the most beautiful Amtrak routes!!
Train, I am now hooked on your journal. Can't wait to read more! I have never been on a real train (other than a subway train) but now you make me want to give it a go!
Ellen in PA 
