Vacation/2013

[paddy.shadow]

Hi, fellas! It's been awhile since I have had time to surf the site, and boy do I miss it! The last few days I have entered into the preliminary planning stages of my vacation this year. The bride and I are planning to go to key west in the late spring, and then to Maine in the early fall. First things first, My bride can not get sustained time off from work and she really doesn't want to ride 800-900 miles per day to arrive. I know, I know the journey is the best part, however, to keep her happy, we have decided to load the wing onto the autotrain in Lorton VA., and disembark in Sanford FLA. which will give us more time to putt around south FLA. at our leisure and still meet time constraints in comfort. The train thing is intriguing, in that it is the first time we will be able to afford to do something first class. We reserved a compartment, which was only slightly more expensive than coach! Gotta Love AmtraK!I have started to print some maps also, we want to visit several places that Guy Fieri from Diner, drive ins, and dives has been to. Other than that, I have been trying to keep my enthusiasm in check because we won't be going until the last week of april ! Can't wait!

 

[dan filipi]

The train does sound interesting.
I've never been on one other than the local subways in towns I've visited, never a long trip like that. Should be fun.

 

[backlander]

Wow. Cool vacation. Always wanted to take a train trip but like Dan have only ridden subways like in Boston, Ma. Have a great time.

 

[sledge]

Ohhhhhhhhhh that sounds nice , I have rode a Train , many years ago . but never anything like That far , I'm sure that will be a nice trip . Congrats . :music: take lots of pictures ..., and post some so all the rest of us can dream about going. :smilie_happy:

 

[Winger 82]

Sure sounds like a heck of a trip, please let us know how ya made out :moped: :moped: :moped:

 

[toytender01]

Yah!! Trains ,Planes and Automobiles are always fun. My "UNCLE" gave me those opertunities back in 58/59. Went on my first Airplane ride from Boise Id. to Colorado Springs then had a train ride from Lawton Ok. to Shreeport La., then a Boat ride from Shreeport to Bremerhaven Gremany. He gave me many other trips by plane and boat over the next 35 yrs. :salute: :salute: :music2: Have a happy vacation... :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[mwbill37841]

heck all my uncle gave me was plane and bus rides. :sensored: and i had to pay for most of them. :cheeky: :crying: :sensored:and even through in a few rocket attacks. :shock: :Awe: :Awe: :shock:

 

[riff raff]

I've entertained the same thought but never looked into it. The lack of a traveling companion makes taking such adventures less interesting to me. That kind of a trip I would want to share with someone. Ithink it would make it more fun!
Just remember rule#1. No pictures, it never happened! Have a great trip! :good:

 

[mcgovern61]

I ride the train monthly from Philadelphia to Providence RI on the Amtrak Acela (our only high speed rail). It is a blast traveling at ground level at nearly 160 MPH! :moped:

I love riding trains and we have wanted to do the Autotrain for years but the cost is too much for the whole family. :crying:

Years ago, I made the mistake of taking the train to Montreal and only getting coach (big mistake!) Getting the sleeper compartment is the right thing to do! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[paddy.shadow]

Plan is coming together, My bride is going to keep a journal, and I will document with photos, and we will post our journey and adventure.

 

[paddy.shadow]

17 April we loaded the Goldwing and pulled out of Saint Clair around 8:30 am, the temps were in the high 40's. It is about a three hour ride to get to Lorton Va.. My gps gave us a completely unnecessary tour of a Washington suburb and put us back on I95 farther north than we exited, but it was all fine. We arrived at the Amtrak station in plenty of time. We loaded the Bike on the train and were allowed to board at 2:00 pm. The train doesn't depart untill 4:00, so if you are in sleeper class or above they have free wine and cheese from 3 until 5!

 

[paddy.shadow]

Barb and I chose the early dinner, they serve at 5, 7, and 9. I had steak, she chose the chicken. It was delectable! As fine as a 4 star restaurant. then we checked out our digs. We had more pictures , however our camera was lost or stolen at some point, so these are all from my phone.

 

[paddy.shadow]

Our sleeper compartment small but comfortable and after dinner we slept very well. Dinner is neat also because you are seated with other passengers to meet and share tales with. after dinner a movie is shown, we skipped that, due to the wine and a long day we were ready for the rack. We awoke at 7:30 the next day to a complimentary continental breakfast and the news that the train had made good time and that were arriving an hour early, at 8:30 am.

 

[paddy.shadow]

We set out after de-training on a 2 lane eastbound for US 1 south. we rode as far as Ft. Pierce where we stopped at Pineapple Joes for lunch. I had an oyster po'boy, while the bride had some sort of salad and we shared an appetizer trio. Everything was fresh, not frozen reasonably priced and DELICIOUS!

 

[paddy.shadow]

After lunch, we stayed south bound on US 1 headed for Boynton Beach where we would spend the night. We found this quaint, tidy and very clean 40's era Motel in Boynton Beach, $55.00 per night, and the desk clerk suggested that I park the 'wing right out side the room door! We also discovered that our pasty northern complexions and spf 50 were no match for the Florida sunshine and we both got pretty burnt on the first day!

 

[joedrum]

great paddy I need trip like this with the wife

 

[paddy.shadow]

Joe, if you can swing it, travel sleeper class, it is only slightly more expensive ($100.00) than coach, we returned coach as sleeper was sold out, and it was NOT very pleasant. My bride loved the whole trip! very romantic!

 

[dan filipi]

I love stories like this!

opcorn:

 

[OldWrench]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ansimp]

Looks like your guys are having a great holiday :good: