The story so far....

The story so far....

This trip nearly didn't get started. I missed the Metro North train out of Fairfield by literally seconds. It was a sobering experience – not so much missing the train itself but the fact I was simply in capable of running for the train. Well, this is a warning sign I cannot miss – it's time to get back into shape.

Having missed the train I called my brother Jason. Poor Jason! Every time his older brother gets into a tight spot he gets called upon to perform some odious task. This was no exception. Not 10 minutes after I called him he appeared, gimpy foot and all, at the Fairfield train station to give me a lift to Stamford. So, mission saved thanks to the younger brother!!

The trip from Stamford to Grand Central was uneventful. I listed to the “Wall Street Journal” report on the iPhone and relaxed. Took the subway to Pennsylvania Station and arrived with 10 minutes to spare (whew!). “The Lake Shore Limited” awaited!!

People who know me (or even people who are stuck next to me for more than a few minutes) know how much I love train travel; even the Amtrak variety. The “Lake Shore Limited” was just what I imagined it to be after watching all those old movies. I knew the elegant dining cars were gone and people no longer dress to travel (stretchy pants and “Stone Cold Steve Austin” T-shirts are now the norm). But even so: what a trip. I attempted to e-mail some pictures earlier to the blog with limited success – that will give you an idea as to my level of excitement.

Dinner was good – Salmon with rice and greens washed down with a decent Cab (hey, I'm not one to be stuffy about whites with fish). And the attendant (don't call them porters!!) were helpful and enthused.

One oddity was that there were many empty berths and roomettes when we left Pennsylvania Station. When I asked the attendant she said they fill up in Albany with connecting passengers from Boston. Sure enough, when I arrived back at the sleeper cars that evening all the roomettes were filled and there was only one full berth left in two full cars.

I spent much of the evening in my roomette with the lights on low watching the scenery go by. After a surprisingly emotional stop in Utica the attendant made up the cabin and I played my computer game until Buffalo. I wanted to see the Buffalo Central station but it was just too dark.

I slept though breakfast; too content sleeping to the click-clack of the tracks and the speeding scenery going by.

More later on:

Chicago

Minneapolis

other things

I'll “back fill” the story as I go. Meanwhile, I'll continue to (try) to post via the Phone while on the train.