Well my bumper stickers finally came in about a week and a half ago, and I was able to drive down to NOL a few days ago to start the process of "spreading the word to the masses", so to speak.
First stop was the Amtrak station, where I had a nice chat with the ticket agents shortly after 58 departed OT for CHI. They appreciated what I was doing. I left 100 stickers with them, and they said they would pass them out to the crew base as well as putting one of them in a ticket jacket when they sell a ticket. I thought that was a very nice gesture. Surely the 100 stickers will run out quickly so I'll probably be back down there in a few weeks to give them some more. Hey, you have to start somewhere. I also gave a bunch of stickers (and route guides) to some of my friends down there who said they would make sure the word will be spread around town.
And then this morning...as I was driving back to ATL...I stopped in Bay St. Louis (the metal Amtrak street sign was still up and showed me the way once I reached the city via Highway 90). The small station shelter was still standing although beat up a little, but the track platform area looked as good as new, and the huge visitor's center right behind it was looking good. I spoke with a nice lady there who said everyone in the town wants to see the train stop there again. I gave them a stack of stickers and they said they would spread the word.
After leaving Bay St. Louis I didn't have time to hit any stops further East since I had to be in ATL by 8:00pm for work. But next time I drive down to NOL to see the family I'll be hitting Atmore, Biloxi, and Gulfport at the very least. Mobile will come at a later date.
Posted by mr williams (Member # 1928) on :
Good luck with your campaign, I was lucky enough to take the Sunset Ltd the entire length of its route just two months before Katrina struck, and it was the best train trip I've ever taken
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
That's nice that you took the time and effort to do this. I'm sure the Amtrak ticket agents love it!
I have a quick question for you---I hope you don't mind. Since you're in New Orleans, are you familiar with Slidell at all? I was there before Katrina (helping a friend move cross-country in a U-Haul), and I've tried to re-trace our steps and where we stopped/stayed along the way. I'm having a tough time figuring out where we were in Slidell. I can describe it this way:
We stayed in a Holiday Inn Express off I-10, and we were across the road from a Wal-Mart. On the other side of the road (or freeway off-ramp I think) was a big U-Haul center. In searching for the locations of Wal-Mart, U-Haul, and Holiday Inn Express hotels I think I've narrowed it down to the area of I-10 and Gause Blvd. However, I can not find a Holiday Inn Express in Slidell. I'm wondering if it was once there, but wiped out by the hurricane? Or am I looking in the wrong area of town? I know for sure we were right off the highway and could see the U-Haul sign, and it was about a 2 or 3 minute drive to the big Wal-Mart on the other side of a busy road.
Here is a Google Map link (tiny URL) of where I think we were. The "A" is where U-Haul is (although I don't see any U-Haul trucks on the satellite view), and just below the "A" is where I think the Holiday Inn Express is (was):
If you can help out with any info, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks!
Posted by City of Miami (Member # 2922) on :
I remember that trip report, mr williams: you got the picture of the alligator! I've been envious ever since, awaiting the return of Sunset East so I have my chance.
Posted by yummykaz (Member # 475) on :
Best steward..Mr. Ed...he made that train awesome!
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: I have a quick question for you---I hope you don't mind. Since you're in New Orleans, are you familiar with Slidell at all? I was there before Katrina (helping a friend move cross-country in a U-Haul), and I've tried to re-trace our steps and where we stopped/stayed along the way. I'm having a tough time figuring out where we were in Slidell.
Smitty: If you spent the night, did you have a glass of water in a restaurant there? Slidell is famous primarily for one thing: Horrible tasting water. Most people who travel through there make the mistake of drinking the water ONCE, and only once.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Funny you should mention beverages.......I don't remember drinking the water, but my buddy and I went next-door to a bar/restaurant and had a few brewskies.
I've been trying so hard to re-trace where we went on this trip, and this is the only place where I'm unable to pinpoint it. I'm almost positive I've got the location right, but I need someone familiar with the area to let me know if a Holiday Inn Express used to be at the location on the Google Map that I posted a link to.
Posted by NativeSon5859 (Member # 2993) on :
smitty195...sorry for the delayed response.
I am not too familiar with Slidell, but I know the area around Gause Blvd is the main area in town. Also, the Hwy. 11 area is quite busy with retail and other businesses, but 99% of the hotels are along I-10, with quite a few around the Gause exit. Nothing in that area of Slidell took on any major flooding. The neighborhoods close to the lake got hit hard.
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