Originally Posted by FlyingFinn
OMG, a new Seat2A report! Guess whatever things I had planned for this weekend are now officially cancelled. Just have to survive through the workday somehow knowing that I can dig into my absolute favourite writer's report once I've made it through it! I feel like a kid the day before Christmas...
Hey Now,
FlyingFinn! It's nice to see I've reeled you in for another shared adventure - hopefully without any work related repercussions
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you caught this and here's hoping Christmas comes early today and tomorrow
Originally Posted by Loose Cannon
Thanks for the fascinating Trip Report. I'm glad you got to see some of the fall colors back east even though they may not have been peak. I can attest that Pennsylvania has excellent fall colors. How much of North Dakota did you get to see on your train trip from SEA to MSP?
Good to see you back,
LC!
It's hard to imagine you and some of the larger trucks you drive on some of the small back roads Google Maps took me on through rural Pennsylvania, but PA is a state I could easily return to for a much longer visit. What a beautiful place!
Riding the
Empire Builder eastbound does not give you much of North Dakota during daylight hours. Now westbound on the other hand starts with an 8:00am station call at Minot and a good chunk of the state is passed through before entering Montana at about 1:00pm. I hope you get to enjoy this ride someday
Originally Posted by lamphs
At least you posted this while I was having dinner last night. In the past you've interrupted work. Your trip reports are the 'book I can't put down'! And good to see you here again!
Thank you lamphs! It's nice to be back - if only for a visit. Sorry about the timing - you guys are all over the world - who knows when a Seat 2A trip report will strike!
Re. smartphones - like I say, I'll likely have to break down and get one sooner than later. How much time I spend on it (or don't) is on me, but the benefit of having certain apps is undeniable.
Re. daypacks - I don't recall where I read that about daypacks being considered "uncool" in the business world. On the internet or a GQ type magazine lying around in a doctor's office perhaps... Were I in that office type situation, I'm just enough of a rebel that I'd wear one anyway, I'm sure.
That's quite an amazing trip you've got coming up next month. Trip report or not, here's wishing you a great time!
Originally Posted by allset2travel
I am drawn to the train journeys. Fall foliage and trains, what a combo!
You won't go wrong there
A2T, especially if you blend a bit of a road trip in with those train rides. If you do, I'd recommend getting a recent copy of the Tourist Train Guidebook. The newest version - the 9th - will be available soon on amazon for about $23. As for me - I'd love to follow in your footsteps or tracks as the case may be and do that circumnavigation of Michigan by road. What a great trip!
Originally Posted by TommyD2
We've done Empire Builder and Southwest Chief - California Zephyr is on my list as well. We've also done Denali Star(?) Fairbanks to Anchorage with a two-day stop in Denali - maybe you were our tour driver
).
Glad you enjoyed the report
TommyD2 You'll enjoy your ride on the CZ when you get around to it. Another nice trip - albeit much shorter - is to ride the Zephyr from Denver up to Glenwood Springs, a ride of about 6 hours through the best of the Rockies. Glenwood is a year round destination with all manner of summer activities and skiing in Aspen during the winter, easily accessed by the inexpensive RFTA buses.
I drive the green transit buses in Denali - although I still give out a lot of information. I've had three or four FTers ride along with me over the years...