Los Angeles

I had to write a practicum for my Education Law class so we decided to stop off at the Admirals Club for a little.





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Definitely a great club, maybe AA’s best domestically, but wow was it crowded. We eventually found seats way in the back past the restrooms…an area I’d never even known existed.



Slow clap for AA’s food offerings. People’s exhibit number one for why I’d never pay for an AA lounge membership.



Not a bad view to write to. The 321 pictured is one of AA’s new two-class ones.



Here’s why I love living in 2014. I’m sitting at the LAX Admirals Club and with my laptop and Westlaw I have access to the same amount of legal research material that you used to need a whole law library for. Soon enough I finished up and off we went. We had all the time in the world so we decided to go the public transit route to get to Union Station.





Let me tell you, it is slow going. It took a total of one bus and three trains but we had no where to go and all night to get there. Besides, it cost us a total of $5.50. And some of the views were okay



Plus we got the joy of watching traffic crawl along the 105.





Now that’s a station. When it comes to airports, I want em brand new. When it comes to train stations however, I want em at least a hundred years old.



I deposited my Dad at the new Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge and headed out on a little mission. If you’re traveling in a sleeper, you’re allowed to BYOB. My Dad and I like a little cocktail or three and we certainly don’t like paying $7 for an airline bottle of Dewers. So I was on a booze prospecting mission.





Thankfully, I found this rundown “mall” only a quarter mile from the station. As long as you don’t mind the smell of pee and seeing topless homeless people it’s a great place to buy alcohol, snacks and even an e-cigarette for my Dad.





Back at the station we killed some time at the lounge. It’s one of the better Amtrak lounge as the Wifi worked surprisingly well, the bathroom was nice and it even had windows overlooking some of the commuter platforms.



Food was limited to just soda, coffee, water, chips and cookies but we were heading out for a real dinner anyway.







It’s expensive and overpriced and I felt like a mobster sitting in that dimly lit interior but it was keeping with our railroad theme.



Crabcakes which were pretty bland, thankfully they had my favorite vodka (Chopin) and made a good martini so all was well.



A steak Oscar with crab meat and asparagus plus some onion rings…absolutely delicious



Tirimisu and Port to close it out. Now, we did have two cocktails and a bottle of wine but a bill of $390 before tax, even in LA, is absurd. But like I said…railroad themed. Soon after we hopped a cab and headed back to the station.





After our last trip, a total disaster on the Capitol Limited which departed 90 minutes late and eventually arrived almost 7 hours delayed, being on time was a blessing. In fact, we got on board 40 minutes before our scheduled departure of 10 PM.

Amtrak 2 LAX-NOL 2200-2140 (+2)



As expected, our room was made up when we arrived but despite the long day, we weren’t ready for bed quite yet.



Not without a nightcap at least! Oh and if that glassware looks familiar to you, it’s because my ulterior motive to stopping at the Admirals Club was swiping us some real glasses. Maybe it’s all in my head, but a good scotch tastes far worse if it’s out of a plastic glass.



As is our tradition, we played several games of Gin Rummy before I couldn’t take it anymore and declared it to be bed time. Three hours of sleep only gets a man so far!



Goodnight indeed!



Talk about your morning after! Also, how do I get down from this crazy place? And where are we?



Ah, Picacho Peak, Arizona (a little north of Tucson) which means we’re basically on time. What a relief! This calls for a celebration!



Sadly, it was this. There’s a lot I like about riding the rails but the showering aspect is not in the like column. It’s virtually impossible to scrub yourself well as the space is so confined and hot water is in short supply. I also refused to shave as I’m terrified we’ll hit a bump and I’ll be short a cheek. After cleaning I headed to the dining car where my Dad had secured us a table.



Our dining companion was a gentleman from Munich who after I prompted him, went on a very amusing rant about Angela Merkel.







Breakfast was tasty, albeit microwaved, and the conversation was very enjoyable.



Plus we got a gander at the boneyard in Marana. It’s funny, I lived in Arizona for seven years and I would drive to Tucson fairly regularly. I even did it once earlier this year. I saw the tracks beside I-10 but never thought I’d be riding on them.



Speaking of Tucson, we pulled it almost on time and as we had an hour here, we decided to walk downtown in search of a newspaper.







The station is in an upscale, gentrified part of Tucson (by the way did you know they have a light rail? I didn’t) and we went into the beautiful Hotel Congress to buy a New York Times



Awesome history! Especially if you’re like me and you love Public Enemies



The station was also stunning and it housed an upscale restaurant-cum-coffee shop and wine bar. I bet they do a brisk trade supplying train passengers.



Technology is not their thing though. Also, note how this train is not daily.



My Dad is the greatest station master. We still had time which was good as I like to walk around at every stop I can to get fresh air and of course take lots of pictures.





Not our longest train today. Two engines, two sleepers, dining car, café/lounge car and four coaches.





What a lame skyline, no wonder I chose to do my undergrad in Tempe, not Tucson!



Back on the train where our room was ready for daytime consumption. Annoyingly, we had the worst Sleeping Car Attendant we’ve ever had on this train. She hadn’t greeted us on our first night and not once during the 48 hour run did she check on us. Also, she never brought ice for the car and every time I tracked her down to get the room made up she acted like it was a huge imposition. We usually tip $20 up front but this time she never saw my Father until we were detraining in New Orleans so we gave her zilch.



Speaking of my Dad, here he is being a happy camper. Me, I just stuck to watching the scenery.







And there was so much to look at.





How about Benson AZ? They have a nice little station building but no…you get to use a bus shelter.



Up to our usual tricks. For those keeping score at home, we played 9 games and I won 5. Boom!









This was supposed to be a dry lake (and Air Force bombing range) but I guess they didn’t get the memo. This also seemed like a good time to take a walk and see what everyone else was up to.



I was going to sit a spell here but then someone decided to have a 100 decibel level phone call and I bailed.





Lord, thank you for blessing me with a man who likes to travel by rail but has the resources so we don’t have to do it back here. As you can see it’s not terrible…for maybe 6-7 hours. But overnight? Never. Not in a million years.



Two states down, three to go.



As you can see, NM looks a lot like AZ. Also, wow must California be jealous of how much rain they’re getting down here. Also, it’s lunch time! You know what they say…nothing could be finer than dining in the diner!





Today’s companion was an event planner from California whose son was at University of Arizona so basically he was dead to me. His Mom was alright though and lunch was pretty good.







We gradually made our way west following Interstate 10 and playing cards, talking and laughing. Basically, all you could want out of a trip.





That Border Patrol truck meant we had made it to El Paso and what you are looking at is the border with Mexico.





Lovely, eh? I’m sure Mexico is a very nice country and has a lot about it that makes it worth a visit but Ciudad Juarez was not it. But hey, how often do you get to gaze at another country from the privacy of your rolling hotel? Plus, we pulled into El Paso early! Saints be praised!







See? This is why I like the stations that are oldies but goodies.







We got back on the train and headed into West Texas. But me, I headed somewhere better



Dreamland! Napping on the train is great. The gentle rocking lulls you to sleep. Plus, I’m always taking pictures of my family when they’re asleep and blasting it on Facebook so I’m sure my Dad enjoyed his revenge.





When I woke up it was 5 o’clock and you don’t need me to tell you what that means



And may you get to Heaven at least an hour before the Devil knows you’re dead.



One of those Border Patrol checkpoints inside the US. My Dad may be far to the right and I’m far to the left but we can both agree there’s something very wrong with these. But enough politics, because it’s Sunset Time!







After that and a few more hands of cards, we headed to Dinner for our 7 PM reservation. But first, because of the miracle that was this early train, we arrived into Alpine, TX early enough that instead of being a quick stop it became a you can hop out stop. And you know me, I always hop out.





I was surprised by how high up we were. After a couple minutes breathing in the night air I got back on the train and headed to the dining car







As all meals are included in a Sleeper ticket, I got the steak as it’s the most expensive and I have to get my Dad’s money’s worth! Well that and it’s actually pretty good, especially as they’ll cook it to the temperature you want. Tonight’s companion was a woman from Sacramento and her three year old granddaughter. They were my favorite companions of the trip. In fact, everyone we ate with was good company. We’ve had bad luck in this regard in the past and I was glad we broke our streak.





Well after that Little Debbie style chocolate bundt cake it was time for bed. Another great day of train travel in the books!