I wrote most of this on the train - my first train trip in the USA. Did it today, August 8 . . . from Austin to Norman, OKie land.
So I decided to take the train from Austin to Norman. It costs a bit more than going by car, and it takes longer, its cheaper than plane (I am guessing, I never did check) . . . it seems definitely worth it.
The train station in Austin seems a bit of an abandoned building, but, hopefully, Lucy (my car) will be fine there for the week. Got there early, way early. Blame the travel jitters. I saw my fellow travelers there. Much more than I expected. I did hear the engineer say that this would be a full trip.
I can deal with this kind of full.
Right now I am in Temple, Texas, a smoking stop for the train and to get new passengers. Speaking of, it is not as crowded as a plane (read: not sardine cans here). The aisles are unbelievably wide. The seat reclines so far back you can actually sleep comfortably in it. The gentleman in front of me has. He falls asleep every few seconds and snores himself awake.
His wife just made him sit up straight from now on.
Behind me, someone is listening to Louie Armstrong and sleeping.
And, the coup de gras, there is so much astonishing leg room. You know how much you wish you could get those front seats on economy on the plane? Sure you do. You know, the ones usually given to the pregnant woman or the dad with two kids. Roomier than that. You know how in the front of the plane, those lucky bastards of first class can actually stretch out their legs? Try a little more.
They do have a dining car (take THAT planes!) . . . burgers, pizza, beer, wine. Reasonable prices. Seriously. You’d expect to pay about $7 for an Angus beef burger, right? Am sure there is some trick to it, but I don’t care. I can actually eat in here.
There is an observation car with nothing but windows wrapping themselves all around you. Since it is on the upper deck, the view is amazing.
AND you can walk around from car to car. Sit pretty much anywhere; once you claim it, it’s yours. At your own risk, of course, cause these puppies move from side to side quite a bit – almost like a cruise ship. But no seat belts for turbulence.
Right now, to get in the mood, I am listening to “This is Big Band.” It is a new band that plays swing style, 40s type big band music. Just seems to go hand in hand with the whole travelling by train routine.
And if my battery decides to start running out, no need to worry, there are plugs conveniently placed next to you.
I am reserving a final judgment until I get to Norman. I have a stop over in Ft. Worth and then a non-stop to Norman, OKie land. In the mean time . . . there is a burger, or even a pizza, with my name on it and the dining cart is open.
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Just had a great Angus beef burger (with FREE cheese), chips and a drink ($7.77 – in case that interests you). Because of the way the tables are set, for more than just one person, you get to share your table with someone if you dine alone.
Met a fellow traveler – Frank – he is headed out to Duluth via Chicago and St. Paul’s. His trip will be an overnight trip so he got a sleeper. He is what I call the preacher of the train travel. Frank told me about a trip he made when he was 13 or so. His parents decided he needed to experience new things and they went on a two-week train trip called the American Express.
He traveled from Chicago, around California, through the Grand Canyon and even into Tijuana. It was basically a trip all around the U.S.
He did say that this was one the few good things his parents did for him. Although it would have made a great conversation I decided not to pursue that topic and stuck to talking about train rides.
He lives in San Antonio but travels to visit family and he does it by train every time. Sure, you can’t help but go by plane when you are talking over seas. Frank mentioned that the last time he went anywhere by plane was probably 2 or 3 years ago.
The one word that Frank used to describe train travel sticks in my mind because it fits so well: civilized. No canned fish on an overcrowded plane, no checking and double-checking your identity, no having to wait to get to the airport to find some food, and no getting to your destination all disheveled and tired because the traffic on the interstate was horrendous.
Have I mentioned how much roomier these seats are?
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I do have to add a caveat . . . beware the weirdoes in the Fort Worth station. You have your train travelers but also your bus riders . . . and we know those, right?
While I was sitting at the station, some woman was staring at me, while sitting next to me. I turned to face her and she said "I don't know why she asked me. I haven't decided what to do. I come here to decide what to do. I haven't decided yet. I am deciding. So why does she ask me what I want to do?"
Smile and nod. Smile and nod.
(To me - while staring and smiling) "You look like a rocker"
"Am not"
"I know. But your ears are pierced" (I only have one, she assumed the other)
Finally, she slowly scooted and swung her legs and off she went.
Guess she decided.
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By the way, I am checking on Thanksgiving and Christmas trips also.
