The Train, The Train, OMG The Train

Things never, ever work out as you think they should.  My fantasy train trip to Oregon has turned into a soft type of nightmare that I don’t think will ever end.

It all started when I thought this would be one great adventure.  Well, an adventure it is, just not the one I imagined. Plus trying to type on a train is not the easiest thing in my world. The tendency of my hands to randomly move around coupled with the trains ability to rattle and jostle to and fro like a demented flea does not produce any sort of logical typing.

First of all, engine trouble coming out of Union Station, WDC. Somewhere in Maryland they brought in another engine. Okay for that. However, due to the engine trouble plus the fact that Amtrak must defer to all commercial trains managed to put me 5 hours behind schedule. 

Boarding in Chicago was business as usual until we came to my car.  Great news – it was a double decker car – not so great news – it was a double decker car.  My Sleeper was on the upper level, great for viewing, not so great for accessibility.  The stairs were very narrow and circular. Once up there, I had to stay there due to my own safety concerns.

Due to the engine trouble and the amount of very long commercial trains, we crossed Montana at night.  I did not got to see Glacier Lake since it was midnight when we went through there. I did see that it was snowing, these large beautiful flakes, but alas, midnight, darkness, so bummer de bummer.

Now, traveling across Washington State into Portland, OR, my  cell phone said I had no service (emergency calls only), no wifi (ever since leaving Chicago), spotty phone service when it does work……I was not a happy traveler. I could not connect with my daughter or the hotel about my delayed arrival.  Eventually all things worked out, made it to Eugene and the adventure continued.

Absolutely wonderful time exploring around Eugene and the Oregon coastline. I discovered 2 new beaches and fell in love again with Hecate Cove. My final stomping grounds.

Then it was leaving the Land of Water to travel to the Land of Sand for what I thought was Part 2 of my adventure.  Tucson was wonderful, family were fantastic, a really great relaxing time was spent there. Walking around the Tucson Zoo with my middle granddaughter was amazing. There was a new baby elephant, a sloth, African Wild Dogs, and beaded statutes everywhere.

BUT THEN IT WAS THE PLANE, THE PLANE, OMG THE PLANE

The ending to my trip should have been simple, a real no-brainer. But American Airlines had a totally different idea of what this meant.  Once boarded, we had to deplane due to a mechanical issue.  Other passengers on the plane consisted of two service dogs, one cat in a carrier, and one very noise parrot in a carrier. I was sitting there thinking I was in Dr. Doolittle Land……

Instead of traveling from Tucson to Dallas/Fort Worth to WDC, I was routed from Tucson to LAX, to Charlotte (NC), then on to WDC. So my 4:30 pm arrival on Tuesday turned into a 12:30 am on Wednesday. Never, ever, again. It has been almost a week since I returned home and I am still very tired.

Has this made me think about having additional adventures? Nope, no way possible. However, my next one is about two years away and I plan on taking a cruise through the Inside Passage of Alaska.

Just for sanity’s sake, check back in closer to 2027 and see what I think about this idea. Happy Travels to those of you who love adventure!!!