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Sum1  Author Icon
         After our last foray south to Mississippi, I thought I'd check into a train to a west coast destination. I decided on the Bay Area. I saw the price for ONE person, and figured I have better things to do with my money.

         Now I have to confess that I didn't choose an 'ordinary seat' on the train, I chose a roomette, a bedroom to be specific. First things first. I was watching a video on Youtube about going from Miami to Alaska on a train, and that caused me to consider doing the same on a smaller scale. The man in the video had a bedroom on the train, which is a small part of the reason for my choice. This was from Bloomington Illinois to San Francisco. It seemed that a lor of the trip was by bus though, not train. Bloomington to Galesburg Illinois via bus, Oakland to San Francisco via bus, but the kicker was the return trip. San Francisco to Emeryville, Emeryville to Bakersfield, and Bakersfield to Los Angeles were all on a bus. That seemed a bit much to me. Yes, I realize that rails don't go everywhere, I also realize that Amtrak doesn't necessarily have routes to or from every city/municipality.

         The price was about twie what I expected, somewhere around $5700, for ONE person! And they wonder why people fly everywhere instead of taking a train. Wow... So for the two of us, it would be astronomical. I think I have better things to do with that amount of money. Meanwhile, a seat in 'coach' is only $325, bu I can't imagine who uncomfortable that would be for the duration of the trip....

         Yes, the lure is there, not driving, relaxing, etc. But frankly, no thanks. I'd rather drive there 10 times than spend that kind of money on a train!
  •   2 comments
My mum did the Indian Pacific (it goes from Sydney to Perth, but she did the Adelaide to Perth). 3 days, 2 nights, plus there is a breakfast stop on day 2 and a dinner under the stars stop. Room with a bed, one way, $3500 per person (around $2250US) ($4250 from Sydney). It is regarded as the longest straight railway line in the western world once you leave Port Augusta.

Mum said it was amazing.
I'm with you - I'd rather spend that money on something else. Driving does have its advantages when time is not a factor. I love stopping at little interesting places along the way, which you can't do on a train or bus.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Fishermen & Waylon Jennings" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
         Y'know, I think I'd heard of all of man's silly follies. Then I find this link. No thanks. Despite all the drawbacks with my health, I like being alive. Thank God it's never been built, there's on been scale models. So far....

  •   3 comments
Yeah, that was everywhere when it first came out. Got people talking about the ethics of euthanasia, which I believe was the actual intent.
Excellerator at Knotts Berry Farm gave me brain damage. I had a thick German accent for an hour after riding it. You know I only have a light lilt, but not a real accent.
Euthenasia is legal here...

And, no we don't use a roller coaster.

Which I now think is a damn shame.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Herd Of Elephants & The Bangles" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "What Is Sum1 Up To Today?" Open in new Window.:

         "The One We All Fear. The Dentist!" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
         Health update because I know some of you are on pins n needles wondering how I'm doing. *Laugh* You know I'm kidding. I just wanted to share some good news. At least so far it's good news.

I have been in a lot, and I do mean A LOT of pain for about a month now. There have been times when I've started walking, only to end up limping badly. So badly it was difficult to get to my destination. For the first time this past Saturday, I rode a motorized shopping cart around WalMart. I couldn't walk, even with a normal shopping cart to support me. Sleeping well is out of the story also. I have hip pain, calf pain, left side back pain. Think of your left side, I have pain there. My Oncologist ordered an MRI of my Thoracic Spine, Lumbar Spine, and Sacrum last week. I thought he was concerned about my herniated L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae. What he was thinking though, is that my Multiple Myeloma was causing it. It wasn't. I will see a pain doctor next week, maybe get as Cortisone shot. BUT... today I lowered the seat of my chair in the office and the difference is amazing. I had lowered it a bit a long while back, but evidently I didn't lower it enough. I am walking around tonight, stiff, that's true, but the pain? Almost non-existent... Wow
  •   6 comments
I'm glad you have found a way to get some comfort and reduce the pain, Jim.
I hope the pain doc will help you even more!

Sum1  Author Icon
Monty Author Icon - I really feel for you Monty, and wish it could be better. I'm a ways behind you age wise ('only' 71), but I sure hope my future is not what you're going through. What puzzled me most was I would experience intense pain, usually in either my hip joint, or the outside of my calf. Yet if I sat for a few minutes (not in my office chair), then walked, the pain would be completely gone! Last night is the first night in a long while that I've slept pain free. Very grateful for that. In the past, I've had to find a somewhat comfortable position, usually on my back and right side, my left leg out as straight as possible. I'd later wake when the pain returned (leg no longer straight either). You know Tylenol and Ibuprofen have been my close friend for a while now. I really wish I had a magic wand that I could wave to make pain disappear. Even if it could only be used once a day. I wouldn't use it on myself, I'd use it on friends like you, and other people I meet at times.... *Smile*
Sum1 Author Icon - Thank you, I wish there was anything that would help Tylenol not much help and due to other things can't take anything else.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Kids Today & Rod Stewart" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Time To Wait & Trace Adkins" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Bob n Betty Hill & Billy Joel" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "What Is Sum1 Up To Today?" Open in new Window.:

         "Indianapolis 500" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Fall Off The Cliff & Queen" Open in new Window.
  •   1 comment
Ah, Queen. My hubby has been known to belt out Another One Bites the Dust when he is painting a vehicle. Too many fumes...
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Bad Spell Of Weather & Los Rios Rock School" Open in new Window.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "How Much Longer & Hootie & The Blowfish" Open in new Window.
  •   1 comment
My friend in Columbia, South Carolina once had one of the band members deliver her pizza before they made it big.
Sum1  Author Icon
         Today is a sad day for me overall. On this date in 1968, the USS Scorpion treansmitted her last message. She sank sometime afterwards, with no official cause of her loss ever found. There are several theories about her loss, I believed one of them. Then I read additional rtestimony from the court of inquiry, now I'm not sure. Either way, on 5/22/68, the USS Scorpion was lost with all 99 crewmembers (87 Enlisted, 12 Officers). Fair Winds And Following Seas for you all.
  •   1 comment
A long time ago, so technology wasn't as good then as it is now. With the advancements that have been made, it's a little puzzling that a more definitive answer hasn't been found. Rest well, gentlemen.
Sum1  Author Icon
I've added a new entry to my book, "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" Open in new Window.:

         "Female Polygamist & Harry Nilsson" Open in new Window.
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