For some reason, for the past few weeks I’ve had a strong urge to go to Raleigh and board an Amtrak train for a weekend getaway. I can’t really explain it. It may have something to do with my viewing of 3:10 to Yuma the other day.
Anyway, I’ve never really taken a long train ride. I have been on trains at Tweetsie and Dollywood, and just a few months ago I went up to New Hill to ride the New Hope Valley train. And I love riding the subways in big cities (the coolest one I’ve been on is the suburban trains in Chicago) when I visit. But never anything over a few miles.
I’ve been researching vacations lately that involve the Amtrak system. It seems pretty reasonable, actually. At least cheaper than an airplane, and part of the fun is in the experience. From Raleigh you can get virtually anywhere, from Boston to New York to Miami and Orlando, for probably half the price of a plane ticket.
I’m just a little hesitant because, one time, my dad and I took a bus to New York City to watch a Yankees game. The time in NYC was great, but the bus ride was awful. I’m guessing that a train is much more confortable, though.
Do any of you have any train trip stories you’d like to share? What was it like? Was it worth it, or should I just splurge on a plane ticket?
