Bostun

I'm in Boston!

Outside I hear the roar of fireworks celebrating the Fourth. It seems some folks have decided quite literally right at midnight. That is okay though.

I'm tuckered out from today's adventures, but they were much better than yesterday's which were mostly spent at the Detroit airport (quick shout out to KK for the ride to O'Hare). Jetted off from Chicago and arrived in Detroit shortly after 12:30 pm but my original flight was quickly delayed from 4:00 pm until almost 6 pm. Then we spent about 35 minutes on the tarmac for an unknown reason all the while a strange and mysterious vapor began coming from the wall panels. No explanations from Delta. They decided to remain mum. But that is okay--I've decided corporate airlines aren't for me. Except Southwest. They just feel different---and they actually get me places on time. With humor. Gotta love that!

So anywhoo, today we set off for a brunch in the Jamaica Plain part of the city (also referred to as J.P.). We ate at Dogwood Cafe were I got a very tasty breakfast pizza. After brunch we walked around J.P. and checked out some fun thrift stores before rocking back over to the orange line T (for train I discovered). The trains are also color-coded by car so you can quickly tell which line it is just in case you are really confused. We arrived at the Pru, or Prudential Center with hopes of a Boston Duck Tour but unfortunately they were sold out for the day so we explored some of the stores in this vast area.

I had to get a Dunkin Donuts fix since it seems they are around just about every corner and before long Sarah and I were on our way to the Boston Museum of Fine Art. Fortunately they had just begun a Chuchily exhibit which was beautiful. I love his work---very organic and super colorful.

Green line to Red line and off at Harvard Square we were to tour through some of the grounds of Harvard. How inspiring for someone like me in student affairs to see Harvard. It was my little higher ed. mecca of my career. The buildings were gorgeous--which was to be expected. We landed at a wonderful Mexican joint with great atmosphere called Border Cafe right inside Harvard Square but both Sarah and I were stuffed still from a late brunch so most of those empenadas came home with me.

We wandered around for a bit longer before deciding to head back but one missed bus presented a nice opportunity to stretch my legs for a 2.5 mile walk through Malden, the burb Sarah lives in ---and quality catchup time.

On tomorrow's docket: finding some quality chowda!

Timely Updates

Haven't had a huge opportunity to post with all of the traveling. Fortunately, I have returned to largely populated areas and once again have signal to feed my many electronic devices.

Our Southwest Chief train arrived in L.A. shortly after 9:30 am yesterday morning into Union Station. We didn't have much time to waste though, as we had to catch the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to get to San Diego. I snapped a bunch of pictures of the station before we departed---there is something fun and romantic about these older Union Stations that you just don't see in modern travel.

Not long thereafter we set off on the 2 hour 20 minute train ride up beautiful California coastline. I'm convinced there couldn't be a better (or more relaxing) way to get to San Diego. Ironically enough our sleeping car attendant and one of the two dining car attendants we saw frequently during our 2 day trek across the country both were on board the Surfliner with us as well.

Once we arrived in San Diego we hoofed it up some big hills and checked into our hotel. We then took the San Diego trolley into historic Old Town where we had some great Mexican food at the Old Town Mexican Cafe. This was a gorgeous area with many things to see including the Wells Fargo state coach.

After Old Town, we hopped back on the trolley and made our way out to the downtown bay coast area, home to the U.S.S. Midway and a marina. Sadly the Midway had just closed for the day but the walk along the waterfront was a wonderful (and very photogenic) experience. I also realized around this time that the sun is no doubt more intense in SoCal and decided it would be in my best interests to lather up with some sunscreen from the local CVS.

After a brief stop off at the hotel we were off again, this time with one Jenna Hazelton, to a local restaurant called Urban Mo's in the Hillcrest neighborhood. On the way back to the car I couldn't resist trying my first Pinkberry and was fortunate enough to grab some of their watermelon creation just as they were closing up shop. Just in case you were wondering it was tasty but certainly no Wisconsin-style custard ;)

I've got plenty more to share but unfortunately our return Surfliner train is about to bring us back into L.A. I'll keep you in suspense until my next memoir. :)

All Aboooooooaaarrrrddd!

I arrived via Metra to Chicago's beautiful Union Station this morning by way of Karishma (thanks for the ride) and a wonderful conversation with one of my previous RAs, Ben.

I met Jeremy, my

traveling train fan-boy friend, at Union and we quickly moved onto the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge which is a nice place that Sleeper Car passengers can hang out in before their train departs. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then boarded the train not long thereafter.

We found out that our accommodation, bedroom B, was on the top deck so we have had a great view. Traveling through Illinois by way of Galesburg

(home to Knox College), and into Iowa over the Mighty Mississippi were great views. I had a wonderful steak in the dining car this evening which was a fun experience in itself. Jeremy and I sat with a eager couple who were traveling out to L.A. as well and had started their journey in Ithaca. They shared with us their

plans to continue on-ward up into Canada and then back across mainland U.S.A. We also chatted about wonderful ResLife stories (her daughter once worked in the profession) and hostel stays. I took the opportunity to discuss our "Lake Forest in the Loop" program starting next year ;)

Hearing the sound of the train horn and taking in the views not available by car is perhaps t

wo of my favorite parts of the trip. It has also been fun sharing stories with other travelers along the way. We left our door open most of the evening and it often reminded me of my first year in College when folks would swing by my room in Honors.

Shortly after 10:40 pm we had a brief stop off in Kansas City where Jeremy and I stretched our legs. Paul, our sleeper car attendant had turned down the bed upon our arrival. It certainly is tight quarters! You should imagine what taking a shower is like in the sleeping cars---although this is much better than the smaller sized roomettes. Fortunately for me the train had stopped for much of the duration of my shower due to an on-coming freight train. Never

theless, this is certainly a fun way to travel. I've already finished one read, Rosie O'Donnell's "Celebrity Detox" and completed a fair amount of other fun things just in today's stretch.

I'll have to share with y'all tomorrow how my first night's sleep is on the train.

Until then, All Abooooooooooarrd!

Getting Geared Up

Alrighty then. After tornadic-like weather, power outages, and an Amtrak cancellation on our original train, the Empire Builder, we have successfully rescheduled for the Southwest Chief taking us through the southwest vs. the northwest.

We will depart Chicago's Union Station, head down south, connect in Kansas City and then again in New Mexico, and ultimately end up in Los Angeles. From there we will depart down the California coast via the California Surfliner to San Diego before returning to L.A. for some fun in the sun and a Rihanna concert.

Our trip begins tomorrow afternoon----today I am busy preparing for the departure.

I'm sad that Henry must be put in the kennel but I suspect he will enjoy himself in "doggy bootcamp"

Until tomorrow, train-spotters!