AUS-SAS-NOL-ALX-CHI-FTW

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Chey

Lead Service Attendant
Joined
Sep 27, 2014
Messages
475
Location
NW TX
Aug 2015

My trip started in Austin. That's because we started out too late from Lubbock to get to FTW on time so I called them and had them change it for me and was pleasantly surprised to have them do it easily and quickly. So I finally did my first (and last) "points run" - 100 points for going from AUS to SAS. But for naysayers who think point runs are abuse - I feel like I earned it, seeing as how the 21 was three and a half hours late getting into AUS.

Spent a couple of days in SAS checking out the Riverwalk, and then on to the SL to NOL. Lunch was a very amusing affair with a crazy Lake Charles girl and two teachers from London seeing the USA. The food - meh - but the conversation was a lot of fun, lots of laughs. After Houston we went a way that I wrote a post about in Rail Discussions, going on track significantly north of where the Amtrak route maps show, and I was told that it's because UP has directional routing. Glad I GPS'd it, now I have a more accurate map.

After Houston the bayous became more numerous. They were beautiful, loved seeing cranes and other wildlife that we don't see in Lubbock.

The view from the HPL bridge over the Mississippi at NOL was blocked by a freight. I'm not crazy about high bridges (look up the Sunshine Skyway disaster, when I lived in FL I used that bridge a lot) and not seeing how high up we were - it wasn't an issue for me.

Stayed a day in NOL and went on a tour of the bayous and canal locks and such.

Got on the Crescent - the whole point of the convoluted route I took was to take my first ride on the Crescent. Everyone always raves about the beauty of the CZ and EB but I thought the country I went through in the South was beautiful in its own right. When you live in Lubbock anything that has a slope and is green looks fantastic I guess. From Lake Ponchartrain up through the Blue Ridge mountains, I loved the trip.

Something happened to the diner to make it unusable (something to do with the water hoses) and they ordered us takeout for dinner from McAlister's Deli in (I think) Anniston. Nobody complained. I had been sitting with a charming lady from Jackson who got on at Meridian. Great conversationalist, she was fun to listen to and I got a few words in edgewise!

Got off in Alexandria for a 10 day stay with my daughter and granddaughter. That's the longest I've stayed with them and I was hoping I wouldn't wear out my welcome but we found plenty to do. I once lived in Arlington when my dad was assigned to one of the military installations in the area but Washington has changed a LOT since then and there was plenty to see and do.

Coming back I chose a more direct route - the Cardinal (my roomette was unfortunately on the right hand side of the 51 and the New River Gorge is on the left so I had to find some windows not being used by people eating). The train was close to being on schedule so the sun didn't set until after Montgomery, so all of it was visible and beautiful. But again, the Gorge is the high point of the Cardinal, there was a lot of beautiful scenery in Virginia too, and after all I have seen the Gorge from a raft (in my younger days).

Then back to the 21 from CHI to FTW. I've mentioned in another thread that my sleeper car was sandwiched between two coach cars at the very back. I had never seen that configuration. I didn't mind it but the SCA and the dining car staff told me they hate it. What made this trip memorable was my SCA - Marcelo - he is funny, entertaining as can be and very attentive to everyone's needs. One of the best SCAs I've encountered.

It was good to be back in Texas; I was on the right hand side of the 21 and my other trips from CHI have been on the left so I got to see things I missed on previous trips. Including the infamous Tower 55.

Coming back to the news about the changes to AGR, I was really happy I had taken the trip. I've mentioned before that I have to drive near 300 miles to get to a station where I can check my luggage; so I don't get to ride the rails anywhere near what I'd like. Making it more expensive isn't going to help, I'm already on a limited income, it's buying all my stuff with the AGR card that's enabled me to go as much as I have. Now they're changing the card too and I've had issues in the past with B of A so I don't know if I'm going to switch.

(I'll probably find a way, although it may be coach from now on.)

All in all, it was a wonderful trip, I had a great time. I love trains - LOVE them. It's the best way to travel.
 
Wow, I found your May 'adventure' - you came through Texas at a tough time!

I'm headed to Arizona today - driving - funeral to attend Thursday, in the East Valley. Heard they had some exciting weather last week, hope our experience is better than yours was in Texas! We moved here from Mesa and I have vivid memories of microbursts that laid rows of wooden utility poles across major thoroughfares!

Almost went to school in Flagstaff...always loved that town.
 
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