pianocat
Lead Service Attendant
I'm in the process of composing [yes, that's how I view this] a MAJOR trip this summer out west that will actually help me come closer to deciding exactly where I want to finally retire. I'm still about 3-4 years from being able to do this, but I need to be scouting places at this stage and getting my ducks in a row, so to speak. The December trip to Riverside, CA to visit my daughter was incredible and we found several areas in the So. Cal. basin that I might enjoy. But I want to explore Arizona too. On the SWC, I saw Arizona out my window - no stops. I want to explore Flagstaff more. One of my adult students actually has a rental property there, which she and hubby will take over in about 5 years for THEIR retirement. She's been giving me tons of literature about this place, and I want to investigate this firsthand. So. Part of my summer adventure should include a MIN. of 3 days in Flagstaff. If I don't like it, that's fine. Artistically - it seems perfect for me, a pianist and teacher. Bottom line is this - is it truly affordable for an independent, self-employed private tutor like myself. Not independently wealthy, but I do have substantial resources to help out for a few months. The differences between Flagstaff and Newburgh Indiana are HUGE. This is all I've known, all my life...but I've traveled the world so I know there are places better suited to me and my social/political tastes than the redneck so. Indiana quagmire. Flagstaff, or a suburb of Phoenix...who knows... I have to go where the market is for piano lessons. I'm fortunate to be able to continue to work as long as I can speak.
As far as a projected trip/scouting mission.... I would like to go west in early June. The SWC is the best way to get to Flagstaff from this midwest area. Probably would take the same route I took this winter - MRR from STL to KCY, then SWC to Flagstaff. According to my student - I'll fall in love with the Arizona area and never want to leave......well, that's dependent on a lot of criteria. .... but it sure sounds good
Now....I'll be more specific about what I'm wanting to do - I'd take the SWC to Flagstaff, spend some days there...then re-board and visit my daughter in Riverside, CA again. A couple of days there, then take the CS north to Seattle. I spent some time in SEA on the 2011 VBR tour, but didn't nearly see all I wanted to see. EB back to Chicago. Does this sound like a RailPass option? I could do it in 15 days. Ideas? Is this do-able?
Next question is....By time I book this, I will have apx. 23,000 AGR points and of course would like to redeem as many for this trip as possible. What might I see as redeemable with this sort of routing? And of course, thanks for any information might be provided here!
As far as a projected trip/scouting mission.... I would like to go west in early June. The SWC is the best way to get to Flagstaff from this midwest area. Probably would take the same route I took this winter - MRR from STL to KCY, then SWC to Flagstaff. According to my student - I'll fall in love with the Arizona area and never want to leave......well, that's dependent on a lot of criteria. .... but it sure sounds good
Now....I'll be more specific about what I'm wanting to do - I'd take the SWC to Flagstaff, spend some days there...then re-board and visit my daughter in Riverside, CA again. A couple of days there, then take the CS north to Seattle. I spent some time in SEA on the 2011 VBR tour, but didn't nearly see all I wanted to see. EB back to Chicago. Does this sound like a RailPass option? I could do it in 15 days. Ideas? Is this do-able?
Next question is....By time I book this, I will have apx. 23,000 AGR points and of course would like to redeem as many for this trip as possible. What might I see as redeemable with this sort of routing? And of course, thanks for any information might be provided here!
