I am completely face-palming myself.
We moved to Pittsburgh 5 years ago. My sister and her four kids live in the Philly area.
I only just discovered Amtrak.
To think, over these last 5 years, my kids and I could have been visiting the cousins way more often via a super relaxing train trek that only took over 6 hours, and costing us about the same amount we would pay in gas.
6 hours spent reading.
Listening to music.
Drinking coffee.
Writing.
Enjoying my son’s enthusiasm for the scenery:
“Look! It’s beautiful!”
“Mom, wetlands!” (For the record, I don’t know if we actually passed wetlands.)
And, “Well this is a nice stop for the people who need to get off for a smoking break.”
The seats were spacious and comfortable – such leg-room!
There were outlets.
The aisles were wide.
The dining car had a great choices. (We packed food, but the kids were excited to visit the dining car – and I wanted to give them the full experience.)
The bathrooms were roomier than an airplane. (Albeit, not necessarily as clean. Then gain, who really knows how clean an airplane bathroom actually is.)
We will definitely be traveling by train in the future. For while it does take a bit longer to reach one’s destination, it was a much nicer experience than driving. We arrived at my sister’s well rested. Heck, I finished an entire book! And for one lucky traveler they will now have a a complimentary yoga mat/bag which I absentmindedly left behind. My response to forgetting this item is a true testament to how relaxed the trip was for me . . . I could care less.
Namaste, travelers.
My children agree, that the train is a GREAT alternative to driving. And with gas prices as they are, the train is cost effective. Where to next? Any suggestions?
And to put the perfect button on the experience, we even met a young gal from Indiana who was traveling to New York, following her dream to become an actress. Sounds cliche, but it happened. I mean, how perfect is that?
Have you ever taken Amtrak? Where did you go, and how was the experience?
