Getting ready to leave

Passenger Train - One of the Amtrak passenger trains
@fwidman (11514)
United States
November 2, 2008 6:18pm CST
I shall be taking off early Wednesday morning to take a week long trip up to Seattle Washington. One of my stepsons is getting married and he'd like me to be there. Of course, I like the trip, as it is on the train, although I wish they had not gotten rid of the smoking car I have a few things left to do before I go, like pack my suit and tie and stuff like that, but for the most part, the hard part has been done. I got my tickets already so all I have to do is show up at Union Station on time It will seem really, really strange not to have the girls around me for a week. How will I survive? Or, how will they? So, tell me, my friends, do you like to travel? Do you travel long distances by Amtrak or some other train? Or do you prefer to fly and get there quicker?
5 people like this
18 responses
@rsa101 (38148)
• Philippines
3 Nov 08
Well I am pretty sure that they will be able to survive. how long wil you be staying at your destination. It will also be a great break for you to travel from time to time to break the monotony of things around you. I am just glad that you're close with your stepson too.
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I am sure we will all survive, although they may party too much while the mean old man of the house is away I will be in Seattle only for three and a half days. The rest of that time will be spent on the train. It's a 36 hour train ride. Yes, it should break up the monotony of Life for all of us
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38148)
• Philippines
3 Nov 08
Oh I think you should just trust your siblings back home I guess they are old and responsible enough for their well being while you're not here. I guess its also time to enjoy your trip too.
1 person likes this
@camomom (7535)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I have never flown so I can't compare the 2 but, Yes, I have taken Amtrak from Maryland to Connecticut a few times to visit family when I was young. I liked it. I'd rather do that then drive.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Train rides are fun, and certainly a lot less stressful than driving.
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
12 Nov 08
The wedding was very nice and so was the reception I had a great trip but I am happy to be back home
@camomom (7535)
• United States
3 Nov 08
good luck and have fun on your trip. hope the wedding is nice.
1 person likes this
@Erilyn (3020)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Lucky you!! I would love to go on a trip! I have traveled by car, train, plane and bus. The last trip I took was 3 years ago to visit my best friend in Arizona. I felw from Jacksonville FL, to Pheonix AZ, and had to take a bus from there to Flagstaff AZ. I prefer to fly, but I also like taking the train. I HATE going by bus and will avoid it at all costs! BTW even though I don't like red I do like your avatar!
@Erilyn (3020)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I bet they do! I would still prefer them to be purple though. And what do you have against the color purple anyway? The last time I took the bus there was this guy that sat in front of me Stunk SO BAD that it was miserable. I had to sit there for 3 hours and deal with that. It was the WORST experience in my entire life.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I've never had that problem with the bus, nor would I want to
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Flying these days seems to be more of a pain than it's worth. Busses are fine by me, I like those too. But the train was the cheapest way to go when I checked the prices so it's the train for me I'm happy you are pleased with this avatar. Those are some nice shoes. Bet they cost an arm and a leg though
1 person likes this
@flowerhorn (1008)
• Malaysia
6 Nov 08
Actually I prefer to drive to any locations that could be reached by land. I know its tiring but I just got to be in control of where I am going. However, I did take train before in Japan which is known as shinkanzen in Japanese(bullet train). Man, they are real fast. I don't mind the speed as it is almost vibration free as you can have your hot drink while you are onboard and nope, you won't find those pretty ladies that you will find when you are taking a flight. That's the only reason that I love to take the plane. These sweet creatures that serve us never fail to melt my heart as they are so friendly,soft voiced and nice. If you miss the girls, bring them along.LOL!!!
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
13 Nov 08
Oh my god! I guess that your phone company will be very happy with you this month as you have contributed a lot to their bottom line this month. Isn't it nice if you have a notebook in which case you can talk with them over the net by using Skype or Yahoo messenger? Anyway, how was the wedding? Did you enjoy it? Is it a simple or a grand one? Have you met any beautiful girls there?
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
13 Nov 08
The wedding was a fairly simple one, done in the Orthodox church that my son and his wife attend. It was interesting as I've never been in an Orthodox church before Almost all the women were in heels, so that got my attention. Other than that, I wasn't paying attention to them to tell if they were pretty girls or not. Shelly doesn't let me look for pretty girls anyways so it didn't matter
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
12 Nov 08
There are some stretches of California that makes one wish they were on a bullet train I love to drive, but since I have no car I didn't have that choice. The train ride was fun. Of course, it takes way too long to get back home I left the girls at home and seemed glued to my cell phone the whole time because they missed me so much. That was nice though
@msedge (4011)
• United States
18 May 09
I would really love to travel and i prefer by vessel if for adventure.I really enjoy watching the waves and the fishes in the ocean but if its for emergency its better to fly because its faster.Travelling by train is nice too.You can see the environment upon passing a certain places.
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
18 May 09
I've never been on a real boat trip, I've been on a few ferry rides. I'd love to take an ocean cruise
• United States
6 Nov 08
I hope that your having a awesome trip. Be safe and com back and tell us all bout it! I never rode on a trian. I wonder if you can really sleep on one!
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
13 Nov 08
That coupled with the fact that almost everytime I started to fall asleep my cell phone rang to tell me I had a text
• United States
12 Nov 08
Maybe you could not sleep because you just Weren't in your own home in your own bed.. that messes with a lot of people!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I love to travel, but usually I drive whenever I can. I just got back 3 days ago from a two week trip to Virginia, southern part, and Virginia Beach. I went to see my daughter and she and I went to a Scrapbook Retreat at Virginia Beach. I'm only home for a little over a month and a half, before I fly down to Texas for Christmas for a week. So after this traveling and Christmas trip I'm pretty sure I'll be ready to just stay home for a while, and I'll have plenty to scrapbook! lol Normally if I don't drive I fly, I did check the price for taking the train at Christmas, would love to travel that way, but it would almost double the cost of the trip.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
If my car were not broken down I might have driven up to Seattle, but that is a long, relatively boring, trip. Much better to let someone else worry about getting to the destination
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 08
Hi there fwidman, I hope you enjoy yourself at the wedding. Well when I travel we do it by car or bus. There is only two way one can travel by plane in my country different from when you are going outside of it. Montego Bay to Kingston and vice versa. This route by bus/car will take one three hours. I really don't go there much because I don't have any relatives/friends. It is a tourist resort area though.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Hi, kerriann! I am sure I will enjoy the wedding, I like weddings, even though I always cry at them I wouldn't mind being able to visit either Kingston or Montego Bay, they look like lovely places
3 Nov 08
Hi fwidman, I have not travel far a long time and I don't think I wil in the fouture, but saying that I plan to go on a few days away from home next years if I saved enough money and it will by train, it will take four hours to five to get there. I hope you have a nice time at the wedding of your stepson, have fun. Tamara
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Thanks, Tamara I am sure to have fun, visiting with all my sons and the grandchildren. But, Shelly says I cannot have too much fun
@ShellyB (5241)
• United States
5 Nov 08
I love more the trains and buses than airplanes, not only I am a big chicken but flying is a pain nowdays.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
5 Nov 08
I like trains and buses too, but only because I tend to sleep a lot on them
@ebought (56)
3 Nov 08
Hello Have a great time at your step son's wedding... I hope it's a smooth journey...I haven't been travelling for ages... you've reminded me that it's a great thing to do...
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Yes, it is a great thing to do, especially if you are not the one doing the driving
• Nigeria
3 Nov 08
i love travelling.. its my best hobby. but when it clashes with programm that are very important,i just resolve it by looking for alternative. so i will say, it a state of mind.. if that guy is important to you stay and if not the choice is your to know what to do!
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
My wife is very important to me, but I am going just the same. I have not seen my stepsons in a long time and it has been at least ten years since I saw my grandchildren. So, this will be a blessed trip
• United States
14 Nov 08
First of I would like to say... I love weddings! Have a nice time..... I love to travel and when i do I travel by car because I am not going more than a 5 or 6 hour drive. I will take the airplane when i am going a far distance because they are reliable. I am a bit scared of airplanes but it cuts the time in riding a bus or a train. I have rode the bus in the past and really hated it. I have not rode a train before but I am looking forward to the experience in the future.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I did have a wonderful time, but it's always nice to get back home You definitely should try the train ride, the first time is the best because everything about it is new
@romfreak (40)
• United States
6 Nov 08
I am more of a homely guy,that's why I don't travel much although with friend that's not the case
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I don't travel very often myself, as I discovered when I got to Seattle and all my sons that were there were reminding me of how long it's been since they have seen me
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
3 Nov 08
Have a special trip and don't pack your new shoes..I want them!.....I love the trains and travel Amtrack over flying anyday..I love the area you will be traveling..the coast is beautiful and you will have fun..sorry the girls aren't going, but don't be sad ok.. Huggs and bring me back a present..lol..
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
You'll be happy to hear that the only shoes I plan on taking are a pair of tennies and my black dress shoes I, too, love the scenery of the train ride up the coast. The girls already told me I am not allowed to have too much fun Bring you back a present? That's what my daughter said, only she also told me what to bring her
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Hey fwidman! I wouldn't mind taking the train I don't think. I'm not really sure since I have never travelled by train for a long trip. I usually only go to Florida to visit Mom once in a great while and as much as I had to fly that's how I go. It is only a 2 1/2 hour flight but since it is a direct flight it is the easiest way. Although I haven't gone since before 9/11 so I'm not quite sure how easy it will be when I decide to go again. I am supposed to be going at the beginning of 2009. Not really looking forward to the trip. I hate to fly as it is. I actually thought about taking the train a number of times but a 17 hour ride is not something I think I could deal with either.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I do not mind flying and it is quicker, but the train is so much more fun. Lovely scenery as you travel, and the relaxation of the train rumbling along is just so much nicer for me. The trip will take me 36 hours but most of the time will go by quickly. And, I think this time around the train was actually cheaper
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
3 Nov 08
You have a good time and take a lot of pictures. Tell your stepson congratulations. Yes, I love to travel. Here we do not have Amtrak, if I travel I would have to go by automobile, bus (greyhound) which I don't see much of anymore. Or airplane. I like flying the best.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Flying is okay, but too time consuming just getting into the plane these days I don't have the patience for long lines and silly people looking for terrorists. The only thing the train requires is a picture ID. Guess so if my baggage blows up they'll know who I am
@Shar1979 (2722)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I havent really ride a train nor a bus here in US. I would want to try it though. I hope you have a safe trip. Best wishes to your stepson.
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Thanks You really should ride a train, it is so peaceful and they have big windows so you can look at the scenery as you go by