Rockin' along with Amtrak

Earlier we started our California trip, with the first day on the Southwest Chief.  Today, a full day across America or, Rockin' With Amtrak.

Day Two – No parsley, lots of sage, no one named Rosemary, no thyme.

One noticeable difference is the smoothness of the rail itself.  This is a pretty rocky ride, and instead of being rocked to sleep, you’re at times rocked awake.  Even the staff admits that because of the heavy usage of the line, it’s not a smooth ride.

Slept through most of Missouri, all of Kansas, and awoke in Colorado.  After breakfast, the first chance to get off the train came in La Junta, CO.  Along the walkway the natives had tables set up with trinkets, junk jewelry, and things that passengers might need (ear plugs, headphones, etc.).  After passing Fort Carson, the first hints of mountains are coming in to view.  Say what you will, in spite of the rocky rail, the Chief is running pretty much on time.

Going through the first tunnel of the trip, not too far from the New Mexico border.  It’s a long one. My ears are telling me we’re climbing, but it’s gradual. Memo #2 to Amtrak: clean the car windows once in a while.  There must have been a fire through here not too long ago, we can see scorched trees and new, green growth.

New Mexico was fairly boring until we got near Albuquerque when the mountains came in to view.  In many of the backyards abutting the track are lots of old cars and trucks, parked but still looking pretty solid.  Now, through western New Mexico and eastern Arizona, red buttes, fields of sage (always,) and best of all, triple track.  Lots of BNSF freight traffic going both ways.

The train had to actually make two stops in Williams, there were so many people getting off that they let the first class people off first, then pulled up to let the coach people off.  It was getting dark, so the “station” (actually a shack on a siding,) couldn’t be seen too well.  It was totally dark when we got to Flagstaff and Kingman, but as the saying goes, “I remember them well.”

Instead of going all the way to LA, we’re going to de-train tomorrow morning in Fullerton, CA., on suggestion of the car attendant.  Day 3 will be updated from the Pacific Surfliner (hopefully.)