We're setting off on another adventure - circling the United States by train with 45 day Amtrak rail passes that allow up to 18 stops. We'll drive to Minot and leave the car in long term parking at the airport. (Apparently they're geared up for this because it's common for Canadians e.g. from Regina to drive to Minot to catch cheap American flights.) The rail pass doesn't cover sleeping cabins but we're planning to upgrade on a few of the longer segments.
We've done some planning, but we haven't booked everything so we can adjust our plans as we progress. The trains run daily on most of the route, except from Los Angeles to New Orleans which only runs three days per week.
Some of the stops we have planned are:
- Seattle, WA
- Salinas - to go to the Monterey aquarium
- Santa Barbara, CA (to avoid stopping in Los Angeles)
- Tucson, AZ - meeting up with Shelley's dad
- Alpine, TX - backpacking in Big Bend National Park
- New Orleans, LA
- Suwannee River, FL - five day kayak trip
- Jacksonville, FL - hoping to take in the nature photography / symphony event
- Savannah, GA and/or Charleston, SC
- Charlottesville, VA - wine country and Skyline Drive through Shenandoah Nat. Park
- Washington, DC
- Chicago, IL
Unfortunately, the train no longer seems to run from New Orleans to Jacksonville so we'll have to take the bus on that section. (or go further inland)
I've loaded my Kindle with a stock of reading matter, including Waiting On A Train: The Embattled Future of Passenger Rail Service: A Year Spent Riding Across America
This is a trip I've thought about for a number of years. It should be fun. Stay tuned for more blog posts and photos from Shelley and I.
See also: all the posts from this trip and all the photos from this trip
Cool. This should be an awesome trip. I'm looking forward to reading about it.
ReplyDeleteThis should be a very interesting trip. We did our circumnavigation between December 2006 and February 2007 in our old Dodge camper van. It was great. We liked the "gold coast" of Florida where bird (and alligator) watching was fun, we crossed the Suwannee River at one spot and had a real "southern" lunch at a small restaurant there. We both liked Savannah. Washington, DC is a must-see. And of course almost anything in the USA southwest, Big Bend... So much to see. Have a great trip.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. I look forward to reading your posts. Have a grand time!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great adventure...lots of variety, challenge and relaxation combined. We will enjoy reading your blog. Perhaps it will give us some ideas for our winter travel plans next year.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time!
That's very cool. I'll have to take note of your route and try a trip like that. What a fabulous relaxed way to travel and take in the country.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy. :)
This looks like a great idea! Hope all goes well. Just stumbled upon your blog via your "Don't Forget to enable Java assert" article in your other, technical blog. Cheers!
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