Travelin' By Train

If you find yourself in need to really slow it down - take a train trip. You cannot be in a hurry on a train (for example they just announced "Grand Junction next stop in 3 to 4 hours"). So much of our lives is about speed but does it really need be? Train travel can also be looked upon as an opportunity to address your inner MacGuyver. The unpredictable happens. The A/C could go out 500 miles from the next major station (happened). The toilets in your car could stop working for 1/2 the day (again happened). During this time your 15 month old could have the world's record largest diaper blowout (unfortunately happened as well) while being deathly afraid of the train shower. But you have the time to figure out ways of dealing with this using what you've packed and what you have available to you. Sort of like the pioneers coming across in their wagons.

No one is stressed out on a train either (except maybe me during the diaper blow out). A type "A " personality expecting type A service will go crazy. It's not the Fours Seasons, it's barely a Holiday Inn, but it is somewhat clean and more comfortable than a sleeping bag on the ground. Older people love it - they can read, nap, do the crosswords and talk to strangers. Kids love it because they get their parents complete undivided attention, can run around and just love the whole concept of trains thanks in part to Thomas. It is also a great time for kids to play in a totaly unstructured way - for instance Eliza, Alden and i created a game that went on for days with papercups, plastic spoons, crayons and a pug beanie baby.

But for all the time it takes to travel by train I never found myself bored. When the girls were entertaining themselves I loved just staring out the window. I had planned on doing so much over my 6000 miles on the train. I was going to blog every day. Read the type of magazines i never have time to read: The Economist, The Atlantic, Scientific American. Plus several novels and a blank journal to be filled with my 5 year plan.

But instead I have found myself just daydreaming in my free moments. I realized i haven't done that in quite a while and it's an important thing to do every once in a while.

Amtrak is not perfect, nor is it horrific. In fact I already have a couple of ideas for our next train trip - next time with the whole family. It's a great opportunity to step off the the speed coaster of daily life and really reconnect with yourself, your spouse or you kids. Just expect the unexpected and go with the flow (or no flow in the case of our sleeping car toilets.) Choo Choo.