crescent2
Conductor
Long detailed post, sorry:
I've been thinking :huh: about changing my hoped-for Amtrak trip next year on the CZ to an around-the-US trip instead. I came up with an itinerary and would like your expert opinions on it, especially if you see any major problems that I'm overlooking. Except for the Crescent, I've never taken any of these trains. I would also like suggestions for the best time of year for it. I'm thinking late spring or mid-late summer for the longer daylight hours. I'll avoid June (July?) because of the likely bustitutions on the CZ at that time.
First, these are my priorities:
Some additional info: (Please bear with me, as it's usually simpler to provide more info up front rather than having several people post about something that just won't work for me.)
PS-- A special :hi: to June the Coach Rider for being an inspiration to consider greatly expanding my trip!
I've been thinking :huh: about changing my hoped-for Amtrak trip next year on the CZ to an around-the-US trip instead. I came up with an itinerary and would like your expert opinions on it, especially if you see any major problems that I'm overlooking. Except for the Crescent, I've never taken any of these trains. I would also like suggestions for the best time of year for it. I'm thinking late spring or mid-late summer for the longer daylight hours. I'll avoid June (July?) because of the likely bustitutions on the CZ at that time.
First, these are my priorities:
- Scenery on the CZ, and secondarily the coastal scenery on the CS. This, along with simply the experience of riding trains, is my original purpose for the trip.
- I want to avoid bustitutions or routing changes, especially on the CZ. Yes, I know anything can happen at any time, but I want to avoid scheduling my trip at likely times for any fairly common problems. The usual June track work on the CZ is the only one I'm aware of, so please tell me of any others.
- I want to minimize connections and hotel stays. I know I'm passing up opportunities to explore wonderful places, but for several reasons, I want to mainly be on my way on the trains.
- Of course, I also want to minimize the number of AGR redemptions that are required.
- I want safer hotel areas and layover times and places. I will likely be traveling solo (my first solo travel of extended duration), and if not, my traveling companion would probably also be an older (ouch!) female.
- This will probably be a once in a lifetime trip, so I want to avoid as many problems, schedule changes, etc. as careful planning can eliminate. Obviously, I'll just have to deal with any unforeseen ones.
- Sun: depart Anniston (or ATL?) #20 Cres, 3:59p
- Mon: arrive WAS 9:53a; depart WAS #29 CL, 4:05p
- Tues: arrive CHI 8:45a; depart CHI #5 CZ, 2:00p
- Thurs: arrive DAV (or EMY?) 2:44p; overnight layover in DAV (now allowed ) -Hallmark Inn?
- Fri: depart DAV (or EMY?) #11 CS, 6:50a; arrive LAX 9:00p; depart LAX #2 SL, 10:00p
- Sun: arrive NOL 9:40p; overnight layover in NOL (hotel near station?)
- Mon: depart NOL #20 Cres, 7:00a; arrive ATN (or ATL?) 3:59p
Some additional info: (Please bear with me, as it's usually simpler to provide more info up front rather than having several people post about something that just won't work for me.)
- I plan to use AGR points for this trip. I think all the connections and layovers qualify now, and I am willing to do an additional redemption if needed, when I have enough points. I'm not trying to abuse the new guidelines; I would truly enjoy traveling around the country on Amtrak, and I want to avoid flying. I'm not sure if this will require two redemptions or three.
- I plan to redeem for bedrooms, especially for the western segments, if I have enough points. Please don't tell me how extravagant that would be. There might be a second traveler, and I usually get up during the night and don't want to have to traipse down the hall in my pj's (not a pretty sight). Plus, there are at least limited views out both sides of the train from a bedroom.
- I don't want to prolong the trip more than necessary or needlessly increase the miles traveled. I think I can handle this itinerary, but I'll probably be eager to get back home by the end.
- Circles the US and includes the wb CZ.
- All connections and layovers should qualify under the new AGR guidelines.
- No flights needed. This greatly cuts down on additional expenses, and makes it more feasible to cancel or change the dates of travel should an emergency occur.
- Most connection times seem adequate and are scheduled at reasonable hours.
- Can be done in only a little over a week.
- I should have a few hours in DC and Chicago--maybe enough time to find a geocache and glimpse a few nearby things. (I've spent time in DC a few times, but have only had a short layover in the Chicago airport, so I don't count that.) I'll also have some time in Davis (or EMY?).
- Hopefully only two hotel stays, Davis (or EMY?) and New Orleans. Davis seems safe and pleasant, with a hotel close to the station, and I'm familiar enough with NOL.
- Connection time in LAX is only one hour (but guaranteed), although the AU consensus seems to be that it's probably a safe one. I know that many might hope for a stay in LAX courtesy of Amtrak, but I don't. I also wouldn't want to be pulled off the CS early during the best scenery, but catching up on a bus out of LAX would be OK by me. I know it could happen but I hope to avoid it if possible.
- If arrival in NOL is late, the layover might be only part of an overnight but still require the hotel.
- It may require three AGR redemptions. Re-entering the central zone on the way home will be a separate one-zone, and they may not let me travel all three zones on the first redemption. Thoughts on that?
- Are the usual track work busitutions on the CZ normally only in June, or do they continue into July? Any other common problems that usually occur at a specific time and therefore should be planned around?
- Any other pros and cons as to best time of year?
- Davis or Emeryville for the overnight layover between the CZ and CS? According to AGR Insider, either should be allowed. I like the look of Davis better, but am I overlooking something important?
- If Davis, is the Hallmark Inn still a good hotel for the overnight? Anyone on AU stayed there lately?
- Any suggestions for a good hotel very close to the NOL station? We always stayed in the FQ, but I'd prefer one closer to the station for just the overnight.
- Your thoughts on whether AGR might allow a 3-zone redemption for most of (the travel before re-entering the central zone) my trip? I don't know why they'd not allow at least WAS (or maybe a little farther south)-LAX, but I'm not sure they'll allow me to start at ATN or ATL, because obviously there's a more direct route to the west coast from that far south. Understandable, but I'd have to rack up some more points for that. It's not practical for me to board any farther north than ATL, and I'd need a roomette because it's an overnight to WAS. That would be kind of expensive to pay for with $$, but maybe better than using an additional AGR redemption? Thoughts?
- Is this a bit much for my first solo (probably) Amtrak trip? I'm pretty independent, as long as I've planned well and have a good idea of what to expect.
PS-- A special :hi: to June the Coach Rider for being an inspiration to consider greatly expanding my trip!