VACATION:

 

Tammera and I took two weeks and went to Fort Myers, FL to visit with my mom and my step-dad, Mike. They moved to Fort Myers in August and so we decided to visit them by taking the train, Amtrak and seeing lots of the country on the way down. It was a five, four night train trip- long, but fun.

 

We left from Tacoma, WA on September 29th. It was our first time on the train and we were surprised by the amount of leg room. I’d have to say over twice as much as flying or Greyhound. From Tacoma we went to Portland, OR to catch the train known as the “Empire Builder.” This train runs from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL.

 

In Portland we had to check into the first class lounge as we had reserved sleeping accommodations on the train to Chicago. Checking into the lounge was a little odd for us as everyone, and I’m not exaggerating, was almost twice our age and could easily qualify for our grandparents. They were quite friendly and we met a nice couple on their way home to Washington, DC; but it did feel strange to be the youngest there.

 

The sleeping room was really nice and we loved the privacy it gave us. Also being able to lay down at night was really nice and though the first night wasn’t all that easy to fall asleep the second night we slept so good. I doubt we’ll do a cross-country trip by train again; but if we decide to it will be only with the sleeper. It is just so much more comfortable; even with all of the leg room in coach.

 

As part of traveling first class all our meals in the dinning car were included in our fare. That was really nice as the dinning car is quite expensive; though the meals are very good. It was nice to order what we wanted and just sign our bill, leave a tip and then leave. So we took advantage of it every meal except lunch the second day.

 

From Portland we traveled to Spokane, WA and met up with another train coming out of Seattle, WA. We made one big train and crossed Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and part of Illinois before arriving in Chicago. We made stops along the way in place like: Glacier National Park, MT, Minot, ND, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, Milwaukee, WI and other places along the way.

In Chicago we were to change trains for Washington, DC. Upon arrival we learned that due to a freight train accident our connecting train had been canceled and we were being put on a different train for Philadelphia, PA. So instead of a two hour lay over in Chicago we had a seven hour lay over.

 

Our train from Chicago to Philadelphia was fun. We were now in coach and so was able to experience traveling that way as well. No more dinning car, too expensive, we ate mostly from the lounge car which offered more a fast food type menu. We left Chicago late in the evening so we saw very little of Indiana or Ohio; waking as we came into Pittsburgh, PA. Most of the rest of the day was spent crossing Pennsylvania.

 

In Philadelphia we had to talk to a supervisor to get us on the right train to make our bus connection in Orlando, FL. The train was supposedly full and only a supervisor could put us on it. If we missed it we’d have to spend the night somewhere; and we really didn’t want to do that. They got us on the train we needed and we were going to arrive in Fort Myers about 4 hours later then originally planned.

 

The train from Philadelphia went all the way to Orlando. We originally had seats with no windows and no tray tables; but by Richmond, VA we were off loading more passengers then taking on so one of the attendants moved us to some better seats. We did pass through Baltimore, MD, Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC; but it was late at night and so saw very little of these places; not to mention we hadn’t gotten a window yet.

 

As morning arrived we were in the Carolinas and you could see the landscape changing. Not to mention the temperatures were warming up; the further south we went. We had a little light snow out of Pittsburgh and now in the Southeast it was warm. Passing through Charleston, SC, Savanna, GA and Jacksonville, FL we met people on their way to Orlando, Miami & Tampa, FL.

 

We were running almost an hour late into Orlando; but our connecting bus was a charter bus from Amtrak and so wouldn’t leave until the train arrived. We got on the bus along with a nice lady we met from Jessup, GA who was also on her way to Fort Myers, FL. The bus made a few stops on the way to Fort Myers: Lakeland, FL, Tampa, FL, Sarasota, FL and Port Charlotte, FL.

 

We arrived in Fort Myers about an half hour later then scheduled to find that Mom and Mike weren’t there. Luckily we had our cell phones and made contact only to find out they were waiting in downtown Fort Myers at the Greyhound and local bus transfer center. We were at a Pilot Travel Center just off Interstate 75. Not knowing exactly where we were I tracked our bus driver down and got the exit number and made another call. Before long Mom and Mike were there.

 

It was really warm and muggy in Fort Myers. Much more so then we were used to and I think that led us to curb some of the things we originally were going to do. It was very beautiful with all the palm trees and such; but we really didn’t handle the heat all that well.

 

We arrived late Friday night, October 3rd, and on Saturday we got our first daylight look at the area. We over to a large flea market area where they have just started a business selling the Italian-style charm bracelets and watching and such. Fleamasters is huge and though we walked a large portion of it I don’t think we saw it all. It was a nice place to get some of the souvenirs we wanted and so we dropped some money there.

 

Sunday we just did some shopping around town. Not really sightseeing; but getting some of the souvenir things we wanted. We did a place called “The Shell Factory.” It is a large gift shop with gifts of all kinds along with a year-round Christmas shop and even a Subway Sandwich shop inside. After leaving there we had finished our souvenir buying for our friends back home. Now it was time to do some real sightseeing.

 

Monday all four of us went over to Pine Island, FL and took an all day cruise of the area west of Fort Myers. We had a fifth generation local for our captain and he was really nice and informative. We saw houses worth millions of dollars as well as deserted islands that once held communities; including a school his great-grandmother used to pilot the schoolboat for. For lunch we ate a restaurant on one of the island. Barnacle Phil’s was really neat and the food was superb. We had our choice of eating inside or out - we chose out. After lunch we visited Coya

Costa State Park, an island. There was a beach there; but we weren’t quite prepared for the beach; so we sat a picnic area and visited with others from our tour group and another group that was there at the same time. We also got to see dolphins and our captain took us into a little cove where we watch an alligator swimming. It was a really fun day; and a nice beginning to our trip.

 

Tuesday we went and visited Thomas Edison and Henry Ford’s Summer homes in Fort Myers. It was really neat to see the gardens Edison had as well as his laboratory that was there as well. Also the gigantic Banyon tree imported from India; reported to be the second largest in the world. Also on Tuesday we went to a local “hands-on” museum called Imaginarium. It was OK; but more geared to children. Feeding the fish was fun though as they would wait watching for you throw them some food.

 

Wednesday was our down day and by the end of the day we were anxious to come back home. We were just tiring of the heat which was really getting to us. It was hard to sleep well and was really taking a toll on us. Our bodies just weren’t used to it being so muggy all the time.

 

Thursday we went down to the Everglades with Mom. It was a fun trip and I’m glad we did it. We thought about an airboat ride; but decided we’d pass this trip; money was getting a little tight by this time. We did stand a few feet away from some alligators. It was at a large tourist spot along the road; a place called Wooten’s.

 

Friday we went to Tampa for our return flight to Seattle. It was a nice flight and we got to add Colorado on our list of states visited as we had a lay over in Denver, before continuing on to Seattle. We were so relieved when we arrived in Seattle and felt how cool it was. We had to put our jackets on; but that didn’t matter - it felt so good and we only had to get a shuttle to bring us home.

 

We had a great time and may go back and visit again; but we’ll fly next time. The train was fun; but it was too long of a trip by train. We got to see so much of the country and visit places we’d never visit otherwise. I’m glad we went; but also glad to be back home.