The train trip

Our train trip from Chicago to CA. was a real adventure.  We started from Galesburg to Chicago.  When we arrived in Chicago we asked directions and found out that we were eligible for the VIP room since we ordered the "Roomette."  We had a 3 hour layover in Chicago so that was nice.   The restrooms were clean and we had some snacks.  We also met some people from the UK.  We walked like it seemed a mile to get to the sleeper cars. ( I was really glad that we had sent our luggage on by Fed-Ex).  We went directly to our little roomette and the young lady across from us was a seasoned traveler by train.  We directly made a connection between us.   It seems we had a lot of things in common...like perfumes and purses.  She had the best!!!   We will talk more about her later.  We ate in the dinning car with a new set of dinner partners at every meal, which made it very interesting to me, as I always like to talk to people.  Gary is the quiet one, but remembers more that I do.   

It was a hoot when the attendant came about 9 p.m. to make our beds.   I had already made my statement that I would not be on the top bunk.  How I wish I was a little more agile when night time came around on the train.  The first night Gary really did go to the top, however, that was the first and last time he went to the top.  We finally figured out a way to sleep on the bottom bunk head to toe.  Would be great if you had a foot fetish!!!  Neither of us complained, but we really did not sleep soundly...but remember this is an adventure!  Of course, I had to get up in the night and use the bathroom, that was a bit of a challenge since I was on the inside.  I had to look for my slippers.   I brought along a bathrobe, but never used it....you sort of just do when on the train.  The bathrooms leave much to be desired in my opinion.  They are very small and are only cleaned once in Chicago and not again until you reach L.A.  

In the morning, a shower was available, but I could never get up the nerve to use it.  Gary did it once....just like once on the top bunk.   He said you could look down the drain and see the tracks.  I just washed my face and changed my underwear each day.  Also brushed my teeth in that little sink.   It was like a doll house sink.  

I really expected the scenery to be nicer, but I forgot that the RR tracks are not always in the best part of town.  I did a little reading, but mostly just talked with Gary and my roommate across the way.  It seemed to me that we just came back from breakfast and it was time to go to lunch.  Food was Ok most of the time.  

The second night we arrived in San Antonio TX and the Chicago part went back to Chicago and we were just left on the track waiting for the connection with New Orleans to go to L.A.  We were there all night....quiet night..no whistles or announcements.  When we finally connected with our train from New Orleans we were now at the back of the train.  That means we had to walk through about 6 cars to get to the dinning car.   Oh boy you need to be quick going between the cars...you press the button and the door opens..and sometimes I got caught in between the cars.  Oh brother...." Gary wait for me!!!"  My friend was very helpful if she was around at that time.  More later