Before it leaves my mind, I want to talk about the rest of our train trip. When we finally arrived in Palm Springs, we were to pick up Lora's car and the keys were hidden in the gas cap. In case anyone every owns a Mercedes, remember that when you lock the car, you also lock the gas cap. The car is 20 years old, but never noticed that the gas cap locks when the doors are locked. We were in very good (luck) or karma because I talked with a man at the station who was just there with his 2 little boys on a Sun. afternoon ride. He happened to be the former chief of police of Palm Springs and also a present council member. He was able to get the police and the locksmith within minutes.
We were so tired when arriving at Lora and Bill's house. I went straight to the shower and washed my hair 3 days on the train without a shower is awful. We went to bed before Lora and Bill got home from L.A. We did not see them until the next morning. Our stay with them was just wonderful. The weather was sunny and warm about 80 degrees. Janet and Ray (Jan being my other classmate) came into town on Mon night from Mt. View, CA. Bill and Ray played some golf while Gary sat by the pool. One day they took the gondola (sp) up the side of the mountain. The girls did all girls things, like shopping, getting our hair done, and also took in a movie. The movie has inspired me to read all the books about Henry of England. The movie did not get good reviews, but we liked "The other Bolen Girl"
After our vacation in the sun Bill took us to the train station and of course it was at least 2 hours late. We met most interesting people on the train. Every dining experience was with a different person. One man was a sciencetist (sp) who claims he healed himself of cancer after he had ordered his coffin, etc. He was on his 5th wife. Another was a teacher from Germany on holiday and he was headed for Mexico before returning to Germany. We ate with many couples from Maine and Vt. Many going to visit their kids in AZ. or CA. I noticed that there were many more women traveling alone than men. Could be because we were in the sleeper car. I am sure of one thing, most people who travel by train are deathly afraid of flying. There was one woman who had her dog with her. Dogs are not allowed on the train, but she claimed it was for therapy. It was a hoot to see her get out of the train for a smoke break with the little dog with his pink raincoat on. Our last person across the way from us was a single mother with a 18 month old son. She was running away from a violent relationship....had no job, no education. I just kept wondering how that little boy will every have a chance for a good life.
On Tues Mar 18 the announcement was made that we had good news and bad news. The bad news was a tornado had just past the town we were coming in to. The good news is will be getting off the train and getting on a bus. The rails were flooded We were on the bus all night from Long View, TX to St. Louis MO. (not fun) In St Louis the conductor said we would not make our connection to Galesburg and would have to stay overnight in Chicago or get off in Bloomington, Il. and bus to Galesburg. We decided we just wanted to get home at that point and chose to get off the train in Bloomington. Scott picked us up in Galesburg and home around 9p.m.
Tomorrow will be more of a normal day if any of our days are really normal. I will go to the Y and swim class and Gary will go to rehab exercise and then we have a meeting after that. Jake will come over after school while Olivia goes to dance class.
More later.
