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I’m in a seat like that only on the other side.

This trip is great with an empty car. It would suck if I had someone next to me, especially since I can’t escape to the no-outlet observation car.

The breakfast announcement was very soft and hard to hear, but thankfully went on long enough that I got the gist.

Dining is at the front of the train so I’ve “explored” now. The observation car will definitely be a draw later.

Sitting with Bob & Helen. Old, nice people. Met 6 months ago. Married 4 months ago. They’re 89 so they didn’t want to waste any time.

No power outlets!

I expected this. Remember mumbling parka woman? She mumbled “mm bmmm mmm 41 next car mm blm”. I walked ahead and the next car had a sign that said 41. Sounded good.

The conductor just told me I was supposed to go upstairs and that I was in a reserved seat. First: upstairs? I had no idea there was an upstairs! Second: I thought what I bought was a reserved seat.

I was supposed to go to my assigned seat, 41. This was TOTALLY unapparent.

No matter. He said I could stay there until they need the seat.

1 minute later he told me they needed the seat.

Upstairs is different. No tent people. Many more seats. Most rows occupied by a person. Still got a row to myself. Still got power outlets. Still deathly quiet.

I was told to find a seat with a blank white card. I realize now that he didn’t tell me to go to 41, which is good because I can see that there’s someone sleeping across it and 42. Not sure how it got reassigned. I don’t care because my seat is fine. And now the white card has been replaced by the conductor with the little yellow tab mumbly woman gave me. Freaky system for a newbie.

Now I can see a door to the next car and a sign that says “please proceed this way to the lounge car”. Tempting, but later. Downstairs that was the bulkhead I sat by with no door.

Wish I didn’t have to sleep more. May be a challenge now that I’m up. I’m going to be tempted by the $200 upgrade to a “sleeper” room on the way back. I’m afraid it’ll be a done deal if they tell me I won’t have to share it.

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?