As I type this I am on a train traveling from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO. This trip has been my first experience traveling by train as an adult, and by and large it has been a good one. Some observations using this mode of transportation:
- More laid-back than flying and more relaxed than driving. This is, however, at the expense of time, amongst other things.
- No security... no baggage checks, no metal detectors, no groping. Hell, they even let me take a fingernail clipper on board.
- Very scenic. You're at ground level with all the creeks, trees, rivers, small towns, etc. Missouri is a beautiful state, especially in the country.
- Trains have horns. Amtrak isn't shy when using them, either. And as a passenger, I can hear the horn loud and clear every single time it is used as we cross the entire state of Missouri.
- Lots of free time to read, to write, to rest, to sleep, to take in the scenery, etc. In our rapid-fire world, having a long contiguous block of 'me-time' is a good thing.
By the way...I AM CONVERTED! I got an iPod and I am forever an Apple convert. FABULOUS!
Posted by: Cati | June 01, 2004 at 05:41 PM
David and I took the train to Chicago for Easter...went to visit my aunt Pam and her partner for the holidays. I must say that I will .never. make that boring ass drive again! I am Amtrak all the way!
Plus, since I will be student teaching in Chicago for 5 months without my new husband, the train will be the cheapest connection for us. Yippee!
Posted by: Cati | June 01, 2004 at 05:40 PM