The California Zephyr

[thoreau]

David and I are taking a vacation together in October. We're going to Milwaukee to meet his family, then Chicago to meet more of his family - then taking the train to Denver - stopping for a day - then finishing the train trip home. We'll be gone ten days. (Uncle Leo will be living with and taking care of Miss Kate) There are so many cool things about this trip!!

I've never been to Chicago or Milwaukee - so those will be great opportunities. We'll arrive in Chicago and head to Milwaukee on October 11th - and then coming into Chicago on the 13th - and heading out on the train for Denver at 2pm on the 14th. We'll arrive in Denver at 7am on the 15th - where we will soak in the palmolive that is septimuswarren and his kitties. (I'll pack the kittykat allergy meds!) (Brett is one of my favoritest people in the world - and I can't wait to introduce him to David)- then get back on the train on the morning of the 16th - and go over the Rockies with all the fall colours - sleep our way through the desert and wake up in Reno - to go over the Sierras in the fall colours - and arrive in Oakland on the afternoon of the 17th - with a weekend ahead of us to reacclimate back to San Francisco. YAY!

California Zephyr Route Map Here

As a surprise birthday present (I turn all of 41 on September 30th) David upgraded our accommodations to a private room on the train (from a "roomette" that we'd originally booked). So we'll have our own shower and bedroom/living room on the train. It includes a nice couch that folds down into a bed at night -(hubba!hubba! Can you say train sex? I knew you could!) - and the price of the train tickets includes three onboard meals a day, room service if we'd like and putting our bed together every night for us. Neato! The Zephyr includes a dining sightseeing car with large panoramic windows for taking in all the scenery - so you can imagine - I'll have the laptop and the camera and take gazillionbillion photos. (no amtrak trains don't have wireless - - but I might upload as we stop in big cities like Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake, Reno and Sacramento along our route)

I am so friggin' excited!

So - there won't be much time for Lj convergence on this trip accept for maybe a dinner in Denver on the night of Wednesday the 15th - and perhaps breakfast/coffee with Chicago area peeps on Tuesday October 14th. It's more about introducing David to my extended family (Brett, Connor, etc. in Denver) - and he introducing me to his sister and her family in the Chicago area. and then just taking our time across country - looking, picture taking, giggling, hand holding and just having a grand adventure just the two of us.

Comments

[kenwoodville.livejournal.com]

That sounds wonderful and so romatntic! I'm so happy for you and hope you have a wonderful trip!

Big coincidence too as was just talking to bentwright the other day about taking a train trip sometime.

I've never been on the California Zephyr...but have been on the Empire Builder and the Coast Starlight. The train is by far my favorite way to travel

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I immediately thought of you when we started thinking this through. : )you know I'll photolog it like a mad man :)

[kenwoodville.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to seeing your photoblog!

[qbear.livejournal.com]

It's good you upgraded to the room. The roomette is functional, but tight for one person, let alone two. And having a private shower will be nice. I traveled cross-country on Amtrak in 2004 (both ways). The food isn't half bad. And the scenery in Colorado is spectacular. Just pray they don't divert you through Wyoming due to track repairs, as happened on my homeward trip.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I am so excited! :)

yeah - if we didn't end up in Denver I'd be a little dissapointed. but - we're getting off of one zephyr and climbing on the next day's train - and we have wiggle room. :) so an extra day in Denver is possible if need-be.

[timzilla.livejournal.com]

Milwaukee in October, oh, yeah. Make sure you have a brat on a heinde roll and some good brew. John Ernst is the best for some good German food.

Have a great trip.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. The bedroom is pricey (oh, it's a present, I probably shouldn't have mentioned that), but it's worth it. Among other things, it opens onto a corridor along the side of the train, so you can see out both sides from your room, which you can only do in a roomette if both you and the folks across the corridor from you have their curtains open. And yes, the in-room shower is a nice feature, as is the almost-big-enough double bed.

Of all the Amtrak trains I've taken to date, the Zephyr (especially the part west of Denver) is my favorite. (I've got a few I still want to ride, assuming they last long enough.)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

when you consider it's a room for two - with room service and three meals a day - it's not all THAT pricey. I am so excited!!!

[altf4ljdrama.livejournal.com]

I think you'll end up in Salt Lake City in the middle of the night, but if not, I'd be glad to provide any information about downtown/directions to things. Also, the Front Runner train (may be stationed nearby) has free WiFi if you can dash in on the layover period.

Apparently the drive between Denver and Provo is also the most scenic in the country- hopefully you can see something! :)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

according the schedule we'll hit Salt Lake around 1130pm or midnight - and head out across the desert in the dark - arriving in Reno around 8am - just in time to wake up and go up over the Sierras.

Interesting!

[altf4ljdrama.livejournal.com]

Well, that's pretty late to be in that city, but if there's enough time - there are a few gay clubs right there at the depot. LOL! (no quick food options that late at night)

Sounds like an incredible adventure.

Re: Interesting!

[rsc.livejournal.com]

I don't remember for sure, but I'd be surprised if the train stays in Salt Lake City long enough to go into town and do anything. Also, no plans should be made that assume that an Amtrak train is anywhere close to being on time.

[major7.livejournal.com]

train sex is fun. are you gonna try once for each state?

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

at the very least.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Heh. It was my first Zephyr trip that allows me to claim that I've had sex in Nebraska even though, technically, I've never set foot there.

[bootglove.livejournal.com]

I hope to be able to meet you in person finally when you visit Chicago!!!
If not, it is a 1 1/2 hour drive to Milwaukee, I could drive up there depending on when you arrive.

*HUGS*

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

we're visiting his family in Milwaukee - is that were you live?

[bootglove.livejournal.com]

I live in the Chicago suburbs, but I can drive up to Milwaukee on a Saturday or Sunday very easily :-)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

Our friend Leo - who plays my boyfriend in the show - is living with and taking care of miss kate while we're gone....

[sjwarrior.livejournal.com]

Yeah for trips! If you have time while in Denver, I'd love to finally meet you and the Mr. in person. Let me know if time permits!

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

Sounds like FUN!!!!
Saying "train-sex" over and over again; starting slow and speeding up.... Choooo chooo. ;)

[starzinked.livejournal.com]

DUDE!!!

WE HAVE THE SAME BIRTHDAY!!!