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This summer we will be taking another train trip, but I don't know yet what the extent will be. I am going to a college reunion in Indiana in June, so I know my wife and I will take the Meteor to WAS, then the Cardinal to Crawfordsville, where we'll get a rental car to take to my reunion (DePauw University, in Greencastle -- 20 miles S of Crawfordsville). We will then drive the rental car to Chicago to visit family and friends for a few days, then, who knows?.........
If I have MY way (not to be selfish!), we'll take a "western trip" and will go CHI-#5-EMY (or SAC)-#14-SEA-#513-Portland-#28-CHI-#59-NOL-#20-WAS-#91-WPK (we'll stay overnight in SEA and in NOL). However, I am not sure if my wife will want to take such an extended trip after the reunion.
Or we may skip the NOL portion, and just go #28-CHI-#30-WAS-#91-WPK. We were going to try and work in an Alaska Cruise with this vacation (starting and ending in Seattle), but we decided to save the cruise for next year and just do that, with maybe a quick train trip out and back -- no reunions, no Chicago. We'll see.
If my wife does not want to take such a trip, maybe I will go alone. I will keep everyone posted.........
notelvis Member # 3071
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Vagabond Inn in Sacramento.
Make it a point to spend the night between #5 and #14.
Have a nice dinner, visit the California Railroad Museum, see a movie, catch a minor league baseball game if the team is in town..... ALL of these possibilities are located within 10 - 12 minutes walking of the Vagabond......and of course Amtrak is more-or-less just across the street.
A 36 hour layover in Sacramento might be the highlight of the non-moving part of your trip
palmland Member # 4344
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Sounds to me like you might have two or three trips there. In the interest of a happy spouse, how about just a New Orleans excursion from your reunion. It's a great place to wine and dine your wife, although can be steamier than FL in the summer.
Or, if you want a cooler climate, the CZ to the Rockies, maybe Glenwood Springs, for a few days, then continue on through the Sierra's to Sacramento with a return via Southwest to FL.
Use your Alaska cruise as an excuse for a west coast rail trip next year.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I'd definitely do the western trip, not New Orleans, in the summer! Even though you may be used to the heat, the nice long days are perfect for western scenery. I think the advice of a stop in Glenwood Springs might be very good, though I've never been I plan on correcting that soon. Then continue to Emeryville if you want to go to San Francisco, or just to Sacramento if you don't. Then just go to Portland, with an overnight there (or maybe Eugene) and leave from Portland on the EB down the Columbia River Gorge back to Chicago and home. OR go down through California, with a stop in Santa Barbara (really nice town) and return on SW Chief.
An alternative or trip for next year is to take the Zephyr all the way to Sacramento & change for Coast STarlight without an overnight (you'll have some hours there) & go to Eugene or Portland OR. Overnight there. Then next day up to Seattle. Overnight at Best Western Pioneer. Then early Victoria Clipper to Victoria, 2 nights there (with visit the great gardens nearby). Then Pacific whoositz public bus to Vancouver, 2 nights there. Then Alaska cruise on Holland America out of Vancouver. Then day of return take 6PM train back down to Seattle, overnight there, again Best Western Pioneer. Then head home.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Thanks to all for your suggestions!!! To Notelvis -- The Vagabond Inn is great, I know, but sorry, I have booked a same-day connection in SAC from #5 to #14 (booked on-line on AMTRAK web site)-- I'd actually prefer to go all the way to EMY on #5, then connect to #14, but the AMTRAK reservations part of their web site has you change at SAC, if you specify "Chicago to Seattle" as one of the 4 allowed "segments" of a multi-city trip. I can change that with the agent at AMTRAK in WPK, though. Obviously, I may or may not be able to actually go all the way to EMY, depending on how late the CZ is into SAC, but if I book it to EMY, I can always get off the CZ before EMY (at MTZ, DAV, or SAC) and change. Due to poor OTP for all trains out there in recent years, I have not been able to actually ride the train along SF Bay between MTZ and EMY during the day for many years, and I would like to try and do that again.
Sojourner -- yes I know we can take #14 to PDX and stay overnight, then catch #28 the next day. I chose the SEA option, though, since I like the route and scenery between SEA and PDX. We are still planning to catch #28 in PDX (one day connection quite possible from #513 from SEA), which of course goes along the Columbia River. We'll probably stay at the Crowne Plaza in SEA instead of Pioneer Square, since I believe Pioneer Square now requires a 2-night minimum stay in most cases. I tried to book us there for 1 night only on our 2008 trip, and they wouldn't do it -- told me I had to stay minimum 2 nights.
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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If you DO go to NOL, we suggest the Drury Inn and Suites a couple of minutes from the station by cab. We've stayed there twice in the last three years and have been quite satisfied. The place is SPOTLESS, the rooms/suites are comfortable and well appointed and the complimentry "breakfast" is a cut above other buffets we've experienced. We'd also recommend the Red Fish Restaurant on Burbon Street a short walk from the hotel for dinner. Bon Chance. Best regards, Rodger P.S. The World War II Museum a 5/10 minute walk fromt hotel is highly recommended.
sojourner Member # 3134
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RRRich, Am not sure about Pioneer Square policies but it may depend on the night/s involved and/or whether there are cruises the next day too. Also, maybe if you tell them (a) you have stayed there in the past and (b) you are coming in on Amtrak, that could change things. Where is the Crowne Plaza? I would imagine it's more expensive but do report back on that hotel if you stay there as to whether it is a good alternative, since others too will have to find another if Pioneer Square is indeed requiring two nights. If you're upping the price range, you also might consider that boutique hotel on 4th St, Hotel Monaco, in the Kimpton chain--not that much further away. I don't know what their rooms are like (better check trip advisor) but the lobby and bathrooms off it were lovely!
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Ms. Sojourner -- Crowne Plaza is in downtown Seattle, not far from King Street Station. On our 2008 trip, I believe we were off the train, into a taxi, and at the hotel to check-in within about 10 minutes maximum!
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Well, it looks like the recession has also hit the home of Railroad Rich & Mrs. Railroad Rich. We are taking a much shorter trip this year than originally planned -- we'll save the Alaska Cruise part (plus AMTRAK from Florida to Seattle and back) for next year.
We are still going to my reunion at DePauw University in June, via the Silver Meteor WPK-WAS, then the Cardinal WAS-CRF (that's Crawfordsville, IN) -- we'll rent a car in CRF, drive south 20 miles to Greencastle for the weekend for my reunion, then drive to Chicago for a few days visiting family and friends, then we'll come home CHI-30-WAS-97-WPK. We have a bedroom for all segments except WAS-CRF, where we'll take a roomette. I know the roomettes are designed for 1 person only, but we figured 1 night in the small room with the 2 bunks won't be bad -- the Cardinal is a Viewliner, and there will be a window for the upper bunk.
Of course I'll post a report on my web site when we return.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I know what you mean about the recession, Mr Rich; but have a great trip regardless. The one thing I'd have suggested is that you try to take the Cardinal east, not west, for better scenery, but I know with the 3-day-a-week schedule that is difficult to plan!
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Thanks, Sojourner -- yes I know about westbound and eastbound scenery on the Cardinal, but our rental car arrangements and the dates of the reunion (and schedule of 50-51) pretty much govern our itinerary!! The Cardinal is the only train which goes anywhere near our reunion!! (well, there is also the Hoosier State, but.....)
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