There's Oil in them there flatlands!

The view from Bakersfield, Ca. This is a working oilfield seen from the heights of Bakersfield. What at first I thought were trees are actually oil derricks.

Ironic that the best and really, the only, view in Bakersfield looks out over this. 

Almost to LA

We’re a running at least an hour behind, and a few hours out of LA.   Stopped again up.  Apparently we are running on Union Pacific tracks and there was something about a bridge burnt down earlier this week.    Seems it’s taking us forever to get through this freight yard.

So far the trip has been very pleasant.  I  ate in the dining car last night for dinner, and again for breakfast.   Both were both surprisingly good meals.   Last night I had a pasta dish with green beans, corn, and a Bud Light.    This morning I had eggs over easy, a croissant, and some hash browns.  I wonder if they had any toast.   The waiter put two glasses of orange juice in front of me and I’m glad he did because I was so parched.  I had gotten up in the middle of the night a few times and drank at least 4 of those little paper cups of water each time.   And still my mouth was dry.

I was hoping to get a few hours to explore LA, but as it looks now I’ll probably have just enough time to hop onto the bus to Bakersfield.  

T-mobile signal is good here…I think we a bit outside Ontario, CA.   But I think the phone sucks a lot of the battery.   In this day and age, you’d think they have more facilities for electronic gadgets.   But, I guess they have few selling points for first class as it is so having access to electricity is a good motivator for todays upwardly mobile gadget geeks.

The things you see on the side of the tracks

You think this guy's belt buckle is compensating for something??? 

My Dream Home in the Mountains

Just thought I'd share some of the things you see in the middle of nowhere. I know I've said I've been in the middle of nowhere before, but it seems to be a pretty big place. Anyways, I've always wanted to live with a mountain view....I wonder if this place is available. 

Photos from Jan 1906

Photos from Jan 19/06 posted here:  http://www.daydream-massage.com/railtripjan19/

Inside El Paso Station

This would be great for town hall meetings or something. Community Theatre maybe. What a grand ol' building! 

El Paso Station

Looks like this building was restored pretty nicely. I met a gentleman on the train who had worked at this station 20-30 years ago. Only had enough to time to run inside and get a few shots. Probably much bigger than needed for this day of rail travel.

Currently it's 6am and the train is delayed by at least 1:40 minutes. Could miss my connection to Bakersfield. Just found out the Lounge Car attendant, Donna, lives near Bakersfield.

I woke up a few times last night to find that the train had completely stopped. Frieght has priority. We are only human cargo. 

Old Caboose - Alpine, Tx

Here's our view at lunch. We were stopped in Apline, Tx. I thought it was a fitting backdrop to the voyage. I love old cabooses. I'm not a 'nut' about old cabooses, but just like the whole essence of them. 

PillBox Row

These reminded me of the War World defences known as Pillboxes. Except of course they are all in a row. I wonder what the history is behind these things in the middle of nowhere TX. Not sure what that highway is right next to them. 

Abandoned Building

Just a snap from the train as we were going past one of the many abandoned buildings along the border with Mexico. 

FighterTown, TX

Laughlin AFB is where they do pilot and fighter jet training. We passed this once before last year on our way to South Padre Island for the Great Texas 300 Catamaran Race.

It seems there is always a few jets in the air around this base....I guess they take their training very seriously. 

Find the Border Patrol

The Sunset Limited takes us right along the border with Mexico. I spotted at least 3 of these Border Patrol vehicles in various 'hiding' spots. Good Hunting. 

Sunrise on the Sunset

Early morning just outside San Antonio. I got some sleep shortly after this was taken. 

Lunch on the Sunset

Just finished lunch while stopped at Alpine, Tx.  Elevation 4458’…about the same as Pueblo, Colorado.  At least I think it was Alpine.   Had lunch with a nice couple from Tyler, TX traveling on a ‘buddy’ ticket.   His name was Jean and her name I had never heard of before and for the life of me I can’t remember.  I told them about Trainweb.com and they are going to look for their photo on my blog.  

I ordered the Angus Beef Burger with Swiss cheese, which came with a plate a chips also.   It was pretty tasty overall, and although I prefer Coke, it was all washed down with a Pepsi.   I forgot to bring some cash with me so had to pay be Credit Card.   To do that one must present a photo id and your ticket (for the reservation number).   In the lounge car it’s a minimum of $10 order.  Early I had missed the last call to breakfast so had to dig through my pockets for a $2 King Size Snickers Bar.   Truthfully, I love Snickers and could probably last the whole trip on Snickers alone…..but my belt size might not agree.

On a side note, imagine the Dining Car announcements being read by actor James Wood.   It’s something to smirk about.

Another lunch companion was Pam…headed to El Paso, TX.    Another couple of gentlemen out of a small town in Arkansas that I met in the Lounge Car were also headed to El Paso.   He was picking up his daughter and grand-daughter.  She gets to take the train back while they hump it back in a u-haul.   Guess that’s what family do for each other.  

I’ve gotten some nice photos so far, but zip for a internet connection out here in southwest TX.   I also really need another battery for this laptop.  It’s lasting an hour at tops, especially if I’m editing photos.   The only real electrical receptacles I’ve found are in the Lounge Car on the Observation Level, and downstairs in the lounge itself there is one.    Most of them are filled up with cellphones recharging.   I brought a triple socket, so I can share with the cellphones if need be.    What I’d really like is some internet connection.   I see some people using their Verizon phones, but no signal at all on T-mobile and Cingular.

There’s a gentleman sitting beside me who reminds me of Morgan Freeman.  He was sleeping when I got on in San Antonio, but when he woke up he immediately began writing in his letter writing pad.    Kept a dictionary on his foldup-tray.  And, from the Jazz music I could hear through his headphones I’d say he was from the New Orleans area.   His seat stub says he’s going all the way to LA.    An interesting looking character, maybe I can get to chat with him later even though he’s kept kind of quiet so far.    Ironically, the book he is reading is ‘A >>> from Woman’

Another interesting site onboard are the three couples of Pennsylvania Amish.   Just weird seeing them on a train in Texas….in the middle of nowhere part of TX at that.  

California Dreaming

Currently listening to California Dreaming.   I guess it’s a weird fatefulness that Denny Doherty, of the Mamas and Papas, is from my hometown.  The town where I plan to end my journey.  

I’m sitting here on the train, at the San Antonio Sunset Station.   I’ve just said my goodbyes to my wife and son who came up to look around after the attendant offered.  And, I’m headed for Bakersfield, CA.   It’s not ‘such a winter’s day’ here in Tx.   The temp when we left the house was a balmy 54F….warm enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt for me.  I suspect it’ll get up above 70F before the end of the day here.  

But that’s no matter for me.   The train should be departing the station shortly.   It’s fairly dark, and the few people onboard are either sleeping or in quiet-mode.   I’ve left my camera up in the overage storage for now.  I won’t need it until sunrise I figure.  

The gentlemen at the ticket wicket were friendly and made sure they explained the terms of the North American Rail Pass, and emphasized not to lose it.    IT has Value they stressed.   Tickets can be reissued…passes can’t.

I just want to get this post out before we leave the station.  I’ll need to conserve batts on the laptop, and I won’t be able to find a receptacle for recharging until we get more daylight.

Booked - Finally!

Well, as predicted, the Amtrak North American Rail Pass was closed Monday.   I did as the info line suggested and tried to pay/book through a travel agent.   They had to research it and call me back.  When they did, it wasn’t good news.   She said that she couldn’t do anything, but that I could buy the pass at the station.    

That would be all fine and dandy, but considering the train leaves at 5:40am, we would have had to get up at about 3am just to get there in time to sort it out.  AND, what if she was wrong and they couldn’t process the ticket?  OR, what if the train was full and I couldn’t get a reservation.   Even if that was unlikely it wasn’t worth the gamble at that time of the morning.   I opted to stay on with wife and son for a few extra days.  

We got a few more things straightened out.  I didn’t feel as rushed.   Cooked up a good dinner of grilled chicken, spicy pasta, and spinach last night --- a bit of a departure from the fast food they’ve gotten used to.    I was also able to get a few boxes put away, we got the aquarium situation straightened out, and much to the delight of TJ, we got the Xbox360 hooked to the network and ‘live’.

Today I went to hop in the shower and got a knock on the door.  ‘Water will be shutoff for the next 2-3 hours while we dig up the street in front of your house.’   Great!   So, I got on the phone and tried a few times to get through to Amtrak’s North American Rail Pass operators.  After about 10-15 mins each time I gave up.   Finally a little after noon I got through.  

The operator took my info, booked me on Thursday’s train to Bakersfield, California, then transferred me to the VIA RAIL Canada operator who booked me on a leg from Vancouver to Winnipeg.   I quickly confirmed that the leg to Hudson Bay was running year round, and that was about it for that.   They took my passport number (expires Feb 08/06 btw) and gave me my reservation numbers.   Didn’t even ask for a credit card number.    Guess I’ll be paying at the ticket wicket after all.  

If you’ll notice I put my itinerary on the sideboard (right).  If you scroll down you’ll see the dates I plan to be where.   These are subject to change, and I can do so easily….it’s an RSS feed from RSSCalanders.com --- anything changed there will reflect here.

Also, if you haven’t noticed already, there are links to the different trains I plan to travel on so that you can get a general idea of the route I’ll be taking.   And, there are a few links to places I want to visit.   These are subject to change also, and I’ll be adding more as I go.  

Note again, that this is a blog.   It is best read daily to keep up-to-date,   or read from ‘The Beginning’ if you’re just joining me.   You’ll find the links for each entry also on the right-hand sidebar.  

So, that’s it for now.  I’ll be trying to enjoy some quality time with my son TJ before I get underway early Thursday morning.    Including doing some laundry, making some last minute decisions, etc.   It’s not like I’ve gone on month long trips before….just never on a train.

A Slight Snag

A Slight Snag

I hate to plan things TOO far in advance.   Too many things can go wrong.  In this case, I held off buying my rail pass until I got to a point where everything else was behind me.   The details are too mundane to explain, but I’m now at that point.  

On Sunday, shortly after noon, I loaded the last of my worldly possessions in my ’95 Lincoln Continental, backed out of the driveway of the place we had been living for the last year (and a bit), and turned the car South.  I stopped a few houses down to say a last physical farewell to a friend,  then headed down past the HEB, left onto 1431 for a few blocks.  I noticed the new Lucky Buffet was packed…I was looking forward to eating there but never really had the chance.

A few more blocks and I once again aimed South on Hwy 281, and straight on for another hour and a half.

”Second star to the right, then straight on 'til morning.Who knows what we'll find there, who knows what we'll see.” – Peter Pan

As I cross the bridge over the non-existent Falls of Marble, I glance in the rearview and think how surreal it all seems.   I only lived there a little more than a year, but had worked in that town for the previous year also.   It’s a little microcosm of Texas life --- feeling the growing pains of a city about to burst, while trying to hang onto rural values.     Being pushed by those who want to see growth, and pulled back by those who wish things to remain just the way they are.    A sanctuary from hustle of the capital city of Austin, and a holdout for rodeos and the ‘cowboy way’.    Where hospitality gets lost in the bottomless cup of coffee.

I stop at Round Mountain, population 111, most of which seem to center around the truck stop where I usually grab a chicken salad sandwich and a coke.  This time I opted for Sprite, and it tasted like bleach.   They must have just cleaned the machines.   I hung onto it, and confirmed the taste with son and wife.   I figured if I got sick, I wanted backup witnesses.   Also, they have this awesome Oriental Mix snack bag.   I usually get one, but didn’t this time.   I wasn’t THAT hungry.

Johnson City was next.   You can’t miss that sign that proudly let’s you know it’s the hometown of 36th president of the good ol’ US of A.    I heard he liked dogs.  (    This is also a good base for wildflower season…something central Texas if famous for each spring.  http://www.wildflower.org    
Not far past that is Blanco.  I didn’t even glance over at the head office of the Internet company I used to work for in Marble Falls.   Just glad that is behind me.  

Forty minutes.  Right on schedule.   I used to have to drive to Blanco about once a week.  Funny, but even with the heavy load, and the car topper messing with the aerodynamics, I’m actually averaging better than the usual 20mpg.   Must be that lead I took out of my shoe a few days ago.

And onward to San Antonio with the feeling I’ll probably never see Marble Falls again.  It wouldn’t be the first town like that in my travels.   And I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.    When I arrived at my wife’s new house,   I got to hug my son, and pet the cats, which were only out of my site for 24 hours, but were missed.    I spotted phantom cats in the corner of my eye the previous day.   Funny how they have that affect….and I’m not a cat person.

I quickly went about setting up wifi in her house.   Tj’s computer was at the other end of the house and he hadn’t been online in weeks.   I needed access for the laptop, so I could order the Rail Pass.   Now that the car had made it to San Antonio I could relax about that leg of the trip.    When I phoned AMTRAK, I got a recorded message that the Rail Pass office was only open between 8am-9pm Monday-Friday!   Oh great!    The train I want to catch is leaving 5:40am on Tuesday, and Monday is a semi-holiday.   Will they be closed or not?   Only time will tell.

Bon Voyage

Here's a photo Charles Nardone made at the Javabean during my send-off luncheon. That's Lisa right beside me taking a photo of Charles. I'm hamming it up with my headset giving a Skype demo. The Javabean has a free highspeed wireless hotspot....a rare combo in the Hill Country of Texas.

I sure am going to miss a great bunch of folks from that part of the world. Maybe someday I'll return for a visit.