Hello!

Hi everyone. I'm Josh from Ferndale, MI. I've been lurking around here for a few months now, but I figured I might as well create an account so I can actually participate in some of the great discussions I've seen.

I've loved watching trains ever since I was little, and although I haven't gotten to take many train trips it is definitely my favorite way to travel. (Driving gets monotonous, and I *hate* flying.) What first brought the AU forums to my attention, though, is that I finally am getting to take my first long distance trip in just a couple months. The joys of having a stable job and paid time off. In August, I'll be traveling from here in SE Michigan to Chicago, then on to San Francisco on the Zephyr. Then back again the following week. I'm so excited, I can hardly wait!

I look forward to participating more in the forums!

Welcome!

Welcome to AU! You picked a great route for your first LD trip!

Welcome to AU and have a great trip on the California Zephyr

I don't know where you're going in SF, but you might want to investigate getting off the Zephyr at Richmond and making an easy transfer to Bart into the city rather than going on to Emeryville and getting the bus over to wherever. You'd have to have no checked luggage though. I have done this a couple of times when I was heading to the Mission District near 24th and Mission.

Welcome. Aboard! :hi:

And if you haven't yet done so, be sure to register with AGR within 90 days of your trip.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. Much appreciated!

City of Miami said:

I don't know where you're going in SF, but you might want to investigate getting off the Zephyr at Richmond and making an easy transfer to Bart into the city rather than going on to Emeryville and getting the bus over to wherever. You'd have to have no checked luggage though. I have done this a couple of times when I was heading to the Mission District near 24th and Mission.

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My hotel is between the Financial District and Union Square. A little less than a mile from where the bus drops me. That seemed more convenient after looking into various possible ways to get into town.

the_traveler said:

Welcome. Aboard! :hi:

And if you haven't yet done so, be sure to register with AGR within 90 days of your trip.

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Already done! I'd actually signed up when I lived out east for a couple years. Never really got to use it, though. I guess that's finally going to change!

The bus is more convenient, but it depends on the time/day you arrive. I took the bus into the city during my last trip, and it took for-ev-er to reach my stop. It would have been much faster if I'd gotten off at or before EMY and hopped on BART.

That's just my two cents, though. The bus is quite comfortable, and you get a great view of the city coming across the Bay Bridge.