And She's Off!! Traveling the Rails Once More . . .

Left the Vincent Hill Grade/Acton Station on the Los Angeles County Metrolink this morning at 7:12 AM and ended up about an hour and a half later at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. It is a scenic and historic landmark, built in 1939, and the scene of so many traveling service personnel during America's involvement in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and those who have been deployed during their "peace time" overseas assignments. It is now a very busy rail depot, right across the street from the site of the original settlement that was called El Pueblo de Los Angeles and is now simply known as Olvera Street. The oldest remaining home is located there.

>Anyway, I am now on the Amtrak Coast Starlight traveling along the California coast until San Luis Obispo and then turning inward to the central valleys, past Salinas, San Francisco, and Sacramento, and moving steadily toward Portland, Oregon through the northern most areas of California. It is a beautiful route and one of the earliest here in the far West. I will be overnight on this train until 3:00 PM on Thursday, and an hour later will board the Amtrak Empire Builder.

I think train travel is the civilized way to go -- I will only board a plane if there is an emergency in my family!! If I wanted to be a sardine I would grow gills. The last experience a year ago on a plane scarred me for life -- and hubby and I have been train buffs all our lives anyway. So happy trails to all of you as you contemplate your summer travel plans, and let us all say a prayer for safety, rest, restoration, and coming home renewed and refreshed.


Until next time . . .