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The train job
Jun. 20th, 2008 10:22 amI'm up with family this week and the next: there's a mondo reunion for Mom's side of the family (although that part doesn't start until Sunday; right now I'm just catching up with the local family, etc.). Internet will likely be limited next week.
Those who remember my last trip up may think that was the reason I decided to take Amtrak this time, but while that might have been a factor, other issues included:
1) Gas prices. I don't need to say more there.
2) Had some Amtrak vouchers after canceling a leg of my law school tour.
3) Long-term parking at the local Amtrak station is free for customers.
4) I can't read on planes because it makes me nauseous, I can't read in the car because I'm driving. I can read (or watch movies on my laptop) all I want while seated on a train, so the fact that it's longer than either driving or flying doesn't bother me, since I can still keep busy.
Which is just as well, because if the Amtrak choice were just to avoid delays I would have been disappointed. The train had to stop for a full hour because some moron decided the train tracks looked like a good parking space. You heard me. There was a car sitting on the tracks that they had to tow off, then the inspectors had to check the tracks carefully to make sure there was no damage, because you really don't want 1000 tons of metal and 200+ people racing over damaged tracks at 60+ miles per hour.
There was no word on whether the car on the tracks was a Delorean.
Marty: Doc, Doc, why are we trying this again? We're in 2008, not 1885!
Doc: Exactly, Marty! There's no WAY we can afford to refuel!
Those who remember my last trip up may think that was the reason I decided to take Amtrak this time, but while that might have been a factor, other issues included:
1) Gas prices. I don't need to say more there.
2) Had some Amtrak vouchers after canceling a leg of my law school tour.
3) Long-term parking at the local Amtrak station is free for customers.
4) I can't read on planes because it makes me nauseous, I can't read in the car because I'm driving. I can read (or watch movies on my laptop) all I want while seated on a train, so the fact that it's longer than either driving or flying doesn't bother me, since I can still keep busy.
Which is just as well, because if the Amtrak choice were just to avoid delays I would have been disappointed. The train had to stop for a full hour because some moron decided the train tracks looked like a good parking space. You heard me. There was a car sitting on the tracks that they had to tow off, then the inspectors had to check the tracks carefully to make sure there was no damage, because you really don't want 1000 tons of metal and 200+ people racing over damaged tracks at 60+ miles per hour.
There was no word on whether the car on the tracks was a Delorean.
Marty: Doc, Doc, why are we trying this again? We're in 2008, not 1885!
Doc: Exactly, Marty! There's no WAY we can afford to refuel!
