One thing I heard frequently when I told people what I was up to:
“Hey, I want to do that too. I’ve always dreamt about taking a long journey on Amtrak to see what’s out there.”
Bud Kraus
Bill
Here’s a story I could not have made up if I had tried.
Not more than 20 minutes after leaving Union Station Chicago at 4:45 PM CST on Monday, March 25 I find myself walking around near Michigan Ave (the prettiest street in America as far as I’m concerned) looking for my hotel. Mind you, I have this enormous back pack on me that looks ridiculous and way to heavy for a guy my age.
The Two Californians
Riding on the Coast Starlight from San Diego to Portland is a sight to behold. If only it hadn’t rained for most of the first day. The train hugs the southern CA coast. Doesn’t go quite as high as Highway One just south of Carmel and Monterey but the vista is fabulous if you’re sitting on the west side of the train as you head north.
I’m Back. What Did I Learn?
I’ll be answering that question for some time to come. What I didn’t learn is that the American people are open, kind, generous and willing to tell their stories of their lives and the places they come from. I didn’t have to spend 10 nights in hotels and 8 nights sleeping coach on Amtrak to figure that out.
The Way Back Home Starts In Portland
Here I am in Portland, OR and latter this afternoon I’ll be heading east to Chicago for 2 nights. After that it will be homeward bound.
Kat And Alisha
Meet my breakfast companions on the Sunset Limited somewhere in Texas where you see nothing but wide open spaces.
Michelle And Tonya
I could not have made this up had I tried.
On the Sunset Limited somewhere between New Orleans and Houston (probably in the Louisiana Bayou) I met Michelle who sat alone behind me. She’ll tell some of her story in the video.