Twenty-six hours after boarding a train near New Orleans, I arrived in Washington, DC. Forty years ago I took an around the country trip by Amtrak and what a change between now and then. The high-backed seats in coach recline and the space between rows is about double that of airplanes, which made sleeping more comfortable. Other new features: overhead spot lights for reading, free Wi-Fi, and spiffy, clean bathrooms. The dining car had lots of seating. The coffee was super.
And the people! People, interesting people in my car, all jabbering with assorted southern accents, which I sometimes could not understand. But what music, when everyone around me chatted. I met two gals at the train station while we waited for our train to arrive. Instant friendship! However, after 20 mins talking with these two African-Americans, I started to feel embarrassed about our president and the people who elected him. What if they think I am one of those racist white folks who put Trump in office? I felt overwhelmed by the urge to confess that I am not one of those who wants to make America white again. Then, I just blurted out:”I just want you to know I did not vote for Trump”. They laughed and we chatted politics until the train arrived. Turns out they didn’t vote for him either. They were women of great faith and clearly let that faith anchor them in this chaos. Good lesson.
The views! I was busy with my Kindle but also spent time staring out the window. We passed through small towns and some big cities; however, most of the time, we glided through the woods. The trees changed from mostly pines to mostly hardwoods. While in Alabama and Mississippi, I saw climbing vines with purple flowers and I peeked onto turtles sunning on a log in a small creek. South of Birmingham, I saw dilapidated, small, wooden homes, mile after mile. Some were slightly askew, others totally derelict. They were never much more than small cabins hoisted up on bricks, but now the area looked almost war-torn. Later when I mentioned it to my friend in the dining car, she said the area reminded her of Hurricane Katrina damage and that some places have never recovered. North of Birmingham, after a modest layover, I saw homeless camps not far from the tracks. Through the trees I saw tent and fire rings but no people. The area was littered with hundreds of plastic one gallon water jugs, something I recognize now as a tell tale sign of homeless people.
Later, the sky slowly turned black and the huge moon rose right outside my window. The night was quiet and spooky as we inched through the woods towards Atlanta. Then, the world came alive with a stunning nighttime view of the Atlanta skyline. New people came on board and some staff changed. As we wandered further north, I read late and then managed to sleep. Not super refreshing sleep, but enough given the circumstances. To the east, I watched the sun rise in Virginia, while gaping at the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills to the west. Ahhhh. Perfect. Perfect.
Atlanta!
About 4 hours later, Union Station in DC. As we drew closer, I looked out on greening grass. Green? Didn’t they just have a horrendous snow storm? Why am I hauling around my snow boots when the terrain is brown and green? Oh well, better to be prepared, right? My parka was most welcome as I stepped into a breezy chilly day.
Beautifully restored Union Station in DC. Lots of presidents passed through here, and Biden went home by train a few weeks ago.
So, my next task, after de-training: finding the DC Metro station. I knew from online research that it was a level below the Amtrak part of Union Station. I wandered into the old part of the station and back around. Bingo! The Metro. I bought my 7 day pass from a vending machine, which I had also read about online. I boarded the right train on the Red Line then transferred to the Green Line for a few more stops. I had planned to walk the .3 miles to my room but the wind chill was too much. I was prepared! I had previously downloaded the Uber and Lyft apps and set up automatic payment options (credit card or Paypal). I opened the Uber app, made a request, and a minute or two later my Prince Charming showed up and drove me around the Metro station and parking lots, over to my room. By car the trip is several miles.
By the way, also for the first time, I got a room through Airbnb. These are rooms that people rent out in their homes, and it is far cheaper than a hotel. I read all the reviews and picked a highly rated home near the metro that has kitchen privileges. Since I plan to spend each day at museums in DC, this is perfect, just a place to crash. The home is a bit rough around the edges; in fact, it reminds me of places I crashed in as a college student. My room has a set of plastic drawers, a pink plastic bookcase, a rolling desk chair, and a bed on the floor!!!! The only other guest is a college student (in his own room). I am not picky and for $25/night I am content. I could do without the house cat but it’s only a minor thing.
This is a commuter area with big roads filled with cars. I couldn’t find any convenient grocery stores or restaurants where I could avoid those roads so I ordered Pizza Hut delivery. The guy said he only delivers the Big Box–2 mediums pizzas, bread sticks, and wings. Since I can’t get to a grocery I ordered it. Late lunch and late supper today. Breakfast tomorrow and even more left over after that. Pizza mania.
So I am chilling the rest of today and reviewing my game plan for the museums. Thinking what I want to say to Tr— in case I see him. Would I dare give him the middle finger salute? Probably not. Could I boo? Maybe. Also using the fast, awesome Wi-Fi at my “house”. I am happy to have entered the modern era of travel, made easy with Airbnb and Uber. I have to give my dad credit, though, for teaching me how to use subway systems and installing a sense of confidence. When I was growing up, I often visited my dad in NYC, and he spent lots of time teaching me the subway system. As a teen, I could take the subways by myself, which I loved. He also instilled in me my general love of travel and I thank him for all of that.
One more thing: I could not help compare train travel to pulling my camper at 60 mph. In approx 24 hours, the train whisked me 1000 miles. Driving and pulling the camper would take 3 times that long. It’ all good, though. Tomorrow, I am off to the Smithsonian that houses the national quilt collection. The Vietnam Memorial is high on my list as well.
Grrrr. Don’t think I will be stopping by for a fireside chat. On a second thought, Steve Bannon is single…or never mind.
