Crooks.net

1) Instead of smiling and being all friendly like in the movies, the person telling me where to go mumbled small amounts and hid inside her parka.

2) When you get on a train at 10pm, it’s deathly silent. We’ll see if it’s always this way once the sun is up.

3) It’s clear some of these people have done this before. It almost looks like they’ve erected tents. No one is ever going to sit by them.

4) Checking baggage would suck. 45 minute wait (so the sign says) to get it when you arrive. I didn’t check my 1 bag.

5) These cars are dark at night! I almost sat on one of the tent people.

6) The seats aren’t quite as big and luxurious as the pictures show. Not too bad though, and for now I occupy two all to myself.

7) Amtrak pillows are anemic, scratchy, sucky, tiny, thin pads. Glad I have more than one.

8) Power outlets abound! This is good.

9) No wifi, of course.

10) No one EVER looked at my ticket. Bizarre.

11) I like the gentle movement. We also haven’t hit any freight trains or run off a bridge yet.

12) The leg room is enormous when you have a seat in the front. Looks good elsewhere also, there are even pop open footrests!

13) We stop a lot, at least so far. Weird.

I’m eager to see the other cars (dining, observation?) but it’s too quiet and still to explore. I’ll try to sleep and check things out in the morning. Although I did spot the bathroom and will check it out soon. Isn’t that where I’m supposed to struggle with the bad guy and toss him out the window?