The train was a half an hour late, while we were waiting I struck up a conversation with a fellow passenger who was taking the train to Reno for his daughters wedding in Tahoe. Luckily the weather was very mild so I was comfortable in my shorts and Teva‘s. The train arrived and I was directed up to my ‘roommette’, a very apt term as there was room for a single bed and for my feet to hang over the edge and that was it! Since I was traveling by myself only the bottom bunk had been made up, giving me more headroom, I can’t imagine how it would feel to have a second person in here especially to have to be the person to climb up to the top bunk! There were curtains all around so I could have privacy from people walking down the passageway. I started out with my train window curtains open so I could watch as we rolled along. Since it was after 10pm by the time I even got on the train I didn’t end up lasting very long. Plus the rolling motion of the train was very soothing, just like going on a long car ride. I thought the slight rattling of the door was going to keep me awake, but obviously that wasn’t an issue! I did get woken up at 11:30 as we rolled into Salt Lake City and the harsh station lights shown in my window. I closed my curtains and listened for a while as passengers moved on and off the train and other work was done, then fell asleep and except for a couple of trips to the restroom down the hall, slept very well in my rolling bedroom. It felt very snug and cozy and I loved having my own space where I could spread out a little bit having my book, phone and extra layers available in case I got cold. When I did wake up I peeked outside to see the stars.
I woke up just after six and sat in my cozy space watching the sky lighten around me as we traveled through the Nevada desert. Had some coffee, surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad, wrote in my journal then headed out to find the dining car. Since I got a sleeping room all my meals were included. I was seated at a table with two other people, Todd, who was headed home to Truckee, having come from a trip to Denver, and Heidi from Wisconsin who got on the train at Salt Lake and was going to the end of the line, Emeryville. I found out that Heidi wants to travel to all 50 states and all 30 major league ballparks, so for this trip, her first one to California, she was arriving on Friday, going to an A’s game on Saturday, then flying home on Sunday. She decided to just go to an A’s game since she wasn’t sure where the team was heading in the future, and figured she could go to a Giants game later. Todd and I encouraged her to have a stroll around Berkeley, check out the campus, see the redwood trees and whatever else she could fit in during her short trip. It seems like most of the rest of the people in the breakfast car were from the UK, I suppose taking the California Zephyr from Chicago is a good way to see the country without having to drive. After breakfast I got back to my room and it had been set up with two seats. The seats recline slightly, making for a very comfortable ride. It’s cool getting a peek into different neighborhoods and backyards as we cruise through the countryside. We traveled next to the Truckee river for quite a while.
I sat in the lounge car for a bit when the scenery on the other side of the train was better but spent most of the morning in my compartment, listening to my audiobook and enjoying the different outlook, sometimes we paralleled Hwy 80, sometimes we were high above with an amazing view, sometimes we were hidden in the trees, occasionally going through tunnels. After we left Truckee we climbed eventually getting to Emigrant Gap, an area that I used to think was quite elevated, but having spent weeks at 6000+ feet it seems quite low now.
I wonder where do the other train tracks go? Saw some cargo cars stored up near Truckee. At lunch I sat with a couple from Pacifica who had spent the weekend gambling in Reno. People at other tables were talking about their horses and farms.
Going from Roseville to Sacramento on the train is very depressing, the view is not of trees or mountains or any sweeping vistas instead it is homeless encampments, garbage and tents and burned out cars, it looks like a scene out of Mad Max. It is heartbreaking that this is reality in a state where so many people have so much more than they need. Especially having spent time in two cities where many of the homes are second or third or fourth homes for the uber wealthy.
It was beautiful traveling on the shoreline from Martinez to Richmond. Don’t get to see this view from the road, and even when hiking. Richmond was the final so on my train journey, then it was a 1/2 hour Uber ride and I was back home. I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I left – so much has happened in that time. I visited 8 states, 3 National parks, several state and local parks, hiked many many miles, saw so many beautiful places, spent time with wonderful people, read or listened to 14 books, and am so excited about whatever comes next!
