Back from FC

[lionkingcmsl]

Well FC was a blast, though through most of it I wasn't really myself. :=/

Thanks go out to all of those that were concerned about me and Teri. She is doing fine BTW.

The cause - jet lag and being up for 25 hours on Friday! Also being in the Holiday Inn didn't help, as I couldn't just crash in my room whenever I wanted to. :=/

This will not happen again. Next year Teri and I will be taking the train to/from FC. ;=3

Yes, it will take four days, each way. We'll leave on Monday and get there Thursday evening. :=3

We will register with the Double Tree as soon as they let us.

We know we will have to rent a car, as the train station is about 4 miles from FC.

For those that are interested in such things, our route will be thus:
Phila - Wash.: Regional Service
Wash. - Chic.: Capitol Limited
Chic. - LA: Southwest Chief (this route parallels Rte. 66 for some of its length, though at a distance in some parts)
La - SJ: Coast Starlight

SJ to Emeryville: Capitol Corridor Service
Emeryville - Chic.: California Zephyr
Chic. - Wash.: Capitol Limited
Wash to Phila.: Regional Service

Thing to note is, except for the Regional and Capitol Corridor services, we will be traveling by sleeper (read First Class) all the way. This means all on-board meals are included. ;=3

True, I have to pay for the upgrades and Teri's tickets, but, if the days are correct, my base tickets will be free. :=3

Doing it this way accomplishes two things; no jet lag, as we will be accustomed to the time changes gradually and I'll be doing something I always wanted to do, go coast to coast by train, by different routes to boot. :=3

BTW, the longest layover will be approx. 6 hours and 35 minutes at Chicago; between the Capitol Limited and the Southwest Chief. This is not as bad as it seems. I just spent >5 hours trapped at the Houston airport. You don't want to have to go through security screening more times than you have to. With train travel we can go out and see the town, somewhat, without the hassle of security check points. Also being the Southwestern Chief originates in Chicago, they will let the first class passengers on before time. Also we get use of all "First Class" lounges. :=3

We will also have a lot more room to move around, and will not be strapped into our seats! That's one thing trains have over jets, personal space area! :=3

Also my laptop will not keep shutting down as the battery dies. All trains have AC available somewhere, and definitely in the roomettes.

Another great point is that we're not really limited to what we can carry. Though on the non-sleeping car services, we do have to watch bag limit, to a point. Also no ham-fisted security guy will have (read: is very curious) to take a look at my new mask.

So, next year at FC, you will have one very well rested lion and tigress, who will be very bouncy after their trip. Be ready for long travelogues. ;=3

Comments

[nekura-ca.livejournal.com]

That train trip sounds like a great time. I've always wanted to take a long distance train trip, too, and I'm going to get to this summer. I'm as excited as you sound. ^_^

[kamau-d-lyon.livejournal.com]

Glad you're home safe and sound and that Teri is doing better. Hope you will bounce back fairly quickly as being run down is no fun.

This will not happen again. Next year Teri and I will be taking the train to/from FC.
Oh that sounds so tempting.
Still I'm not betting that I'll be doing FC next year. With all that's happening ATM I got a feeling the Marine Corps is going to be sending me on a slightly different vacation later this year.

[quickcasey.livejournal.com]

Hey, when you're in Chicago for the layover, let's do lunch. I'll even take the day off.
When I retire, let's get a private car full o'furs and do FC.

[rrwolf.livejournal.com]

You can actually charter private railcars relatively cheap, it's the Amtrak Charges that get expensive and a place to store it at the other end. I looked into it a while back. There are many many nice old heavy weight Pullmans and lots of really nice light weith passenger cars too from the good ole days.

But hell that's an awsome idea and would be cool to do. We could probably get enough furs to do it to make it worth it too.

[quickcasey.livejournal.com]

Well, LK can probably get those charges waived.

[rrwolf.livejournal.com]

Good thing you guys aren't coming back the southern route from the west, since Amtrak is not running through New Orleans and into Jax and may not anytime soon thanks to the hurricane.