Once I arrived in Utah, I basically began packing up again. I took care of some business and got everything packed up for the summer. Once all that was taken care of, I was on the road again, figuratively. I boarded the train in Provo, and headed east.
The train trip across the country was great. The weather was perfect, and everything ran on time, allowing us to spend most of the daylight hours in Colorado, which really is quite spectacular. The whole trip to Chicago went off without any problems, and we arrived in Chicago the next day, just a few minutes ahead of schedule. In Chicago, I was to catch a train to New York. I decided to check on the possibility of upgrading to a sleeper roomette for that leg of the trip. I was in luck. Rooms were still available, and I was even offered a very good price, so I bought one. At the same time, I decided to check a bag to New York, just so I wouldn't have to carry it anymore. I still held onto my other bag. I checked those at the station, and then left for the few hours I had in Chicago. One of these days I'll spend more than 8 hours there at a time! I walked over to the lake and the Navy Pier and just enjoyed the pleasant weather and the breeze. I also found some dinner at a local restaurant, and then made my way back to the station. Before long, the train was boarding, for the first class passengers, so I got on.
The first class passengers board the train over an hour before it is scheduled to depart, and have some time to get settled in their rooms. Before the train leaves, there is a free Wine and Cheese event for all the first class passengers. I went to that, and then retired to my room. When I got to my room, the bed was made and turned down, and all I had to do was go to sleep. Breakfast was still 600 miles away.
I woke up the next morning, as we were pulling out of Depew, NY, which is the stop that serves Buffalo. I looked out the window, and lazily got ready for the day. I really did not have a lot to think about that day, as all I had to do was sit on the train and watch upstate New York roll by. I eventually showered and went to the dining car for breakfast, followed by a leisurely late morning nap. It was a great day. When we arrived in Albany, we were about 45 minutes late, but we made up that time along the Hudson River, before arriving in New York City. By then, it was the end of the evening rush hour, and things were beginning to quiet down to some degree in the city. I collected my luggage and got on the next train to Long Island, to go see my grandparents.
I had a very nice, although short, visit with my grandparents. Once the visit there was over, I got on the train again, and headed for Boston. This was a comparatively short trip. After a short delay in the Bronx, due to a failed signal, we really got moving. We did arrive a little late everywhere, but we did not get further delayed. The trains really move through that area. Our maximum speed was 126 mph. At one point, we were stopped at the station in Kingston, Rhode Island, and one of the high speed trains passed us in the other direction. As I understand, the track speed there is 150 mph, so you can just imagine the blast as it roared by. Our entire train shook from the air it pushed out of the way. We arrived in Boston about 20 minutes behind schedule, and I continued to New Hampshire, where I have been for about a week now. It has been nice to visit the east coast again. It always will be my home.
