Summer Picnic Canceled
7 years ago
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
We Arrived!
Okay, late update about the fact that we arrived, but we did safe and sound. Picking up our baggage from the station was an interesting procedure. First of all, they place everyone's bags on carts and bring them to the building area. Everyone who wants to pick up a bag stands on one side of a wall, and the carts of baggage is on the other. The baggage is passed through an opening that perhaps measures 4 feet wide. Basically, the passengers call out which bags are theirs, and the guys standing on the other side try to find which black bag belongs to them. We just waited until everyone else had gotten their bags before we went up for ours, no need to be in the mosh pit of people trying to get their luggage. Pictures will be forthcoming of the station in Tampa, very cute.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Still on the Train
Well, we made it through the night. Dinner in the dining car was an interesting experience. Our dinner reservations were for 7:15, but it was about 8:30 when our actual main course arrived. Kind of like the delay of fine dining, without the fine dining. We sat with a lovely woman from the Tampa area who writes children's books, so at least we had good conversation during our time waiting. Others in the car were not as patient, and tempers boiled, but that added to the evening's entertainment.
Sleeping in the seats was not as awful as it could have been, but you were definitely aware that you weren't in your bed. Being seated towards the front of the car also did not help as people were walking to the club car ahead of us all through the night and early morning hours. But, we made it through and are awaiting our arrival in Tampa. Only three more hours to go!
Before we fell asleep we did travel through some neat places that are worth noting. The first was Ashland, Virginia. When we traveled through this town, we were literally in the middle of main street. The railroad tracks run right down the center of the street. On either side of us, there were beautiful Victorian houses decorated with Christmas lights. It was such a sight to see that no pictures were taken, but we were so glad that we got to see it.
We also got a chance to see Southern Pines, as again we were traveling down the main street. What beautiful shops surrounded us all decorated so nicely for the season. Pete also got to reconnect with Cary, North Carolina as we stopped in the middle of the street to pick up more passengers. Cary is where he lived when he went to school at Campbell University.
Of course, the one place that we did want to see as we drove by was Savannah, Georgia (home of Paula Dean), but we were sleeping, so we have no first hand experiences to speak of.
We are currently traveling through the swamp land of Florida. The last name that we recognized was Jacksonville, and we have since made stops at dusty little train stops.
Sleeping in the seats was not as awful as it could have been, but you were definitely aware that you weren't in your bed. Being seated towards the front of the car also did not help as people were walking to the club car ahead of us all through the night and early morning hours. But, we made it through and are awaiting our arrival in Tampa. Only three more hours to go!
Before we fell asleep we did travel through some neat places that are worth noting. The first was Ashland, Virginia. When we traveled through this town, we were literally in the middle of main street. The railroad tracks run right down the center of the street. On either side of us, there were beautiful Victorian houses decorated with Christmas lights. It was such a sight to see that no pictures were taken, but we were so glad that we got to see it.
We also got a chance to see Southern Pines, as again we were traveling down the main street. What beautiful shops surrounded us all decorated so nicely for the season. Pete also got to reconnect with Cary, North Carolina as we stopped in the middle of the street to pick up more passengers. Cary is where he lived when he went to school at Campbell University.
Of course, the one place that we did want to see as we drove by was Savannah, Georgia (home of Paula Dean), but we were sleeping, so we have no first hand experiences to speak of.
We are currently traveling through the swamp land of Florida. The last name that we recognized was Jacksonville, and we have since made stops at dusty little train stops.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Passing Through D.C.
We have made a few stops to let people onto the train, but by far the most exciting part has been when we stopped in Washington D.C.. We were allowed to get off of the train to stretch while they switched over from the electric engine to the diesel one. Lots of people got on in D.C., and it appears as if the train is packed. We have reservations in the dining car for dinner, so it will be interesting to see what kind of food they have to offer. As we were boarding the train in Philly we got to see into the sleeping cars up front, those people must be having a nice ride. Not that we aren't, there are no complaints here. We have plenty of leg room, plenty of room for our bags, and a power outlet right here next to the seat. What more could we ask for under these circumstances?
Below are a few pictures of what we saw as we passed through D.C.; we hope that you enjoy.
Below are a few pictures of what we saw as we passed through D.C.; we hope that you enjoy.
Our Trip to Florida Begins in Philadelphia
Right now we are on the Amtrak Train taking us to Florida where we will be spending the next seven days enjoying the sun and the sights. The starting point of our trip was from the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Here are just a few pictures of this amazing building.
Traveling by train has been a lot of fun so far, we are currently on our way to Washington D.C. The time that it takes to get on a train and get moving is pretty fast. There was no waiting, like that that takes place at the airport, and everyone has been incredibly pleasant.
Traveling by train has been a lot of fun so far, we are currently on our way to Washington D.C. The time that it takes to get on a train and get moving is pretty fast. There was no waiting, like that that takes place at the airport, and everyone has been incredibly pleasant.
**We forgot to mention that as we got on our way, there was an accident that happened right in front of the train (we didn't see it, but saw the first responders). Anyway, here is a link to the article:
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081229/NEWS/812290338Welcome to our Blog
In an attempt to stay better connected, we have decided to create a Blog in which we can share our comings and goings with you, our family and friends. We hope that we will have interesting adventures and stories in the upcoming new year to share with you, and that you will enjoy learning about them.
For those of you who are new to the Blogging world, do not panic. You will not only be able to read and see what has been going on with us, but you will also be able to leave comments for us as well as other visitors to the Blog.
For those of you who are new to the Blogging world, do not panic. You will not only be able to read and see what has been going on with us, but you will also be able to leave comments for us as well as other visitors to the Blog.
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