Amtrakking the States and Trolling the SCWC!

travelingmarla

14 years ago

Views not afforded to cars are some of the best parts of train travel. No road separates this section of the west coast from the train.

Amtrak roomette train travel sightseer lounge sleeper car — Views not afforded to cars are some of the best parts of train travel. No road separates this section of the west coast from the train.

Seattle or San Antonio? Nebraska or New Orleans?

Give me train travel any day over flying. I know it’s a luxury of time most people can’t afford. I call it an investment in modern anthropology and a writing desk on rails. I could tell you about all the people I meet, but then I’d spoil all the interesting essays I’m submitting for publication.

In February I will attend the Southern California Writer’s Conference (SCWC). It is one of the first writing conferences I attended and still my favorite, because it’s practical publication and platform without pretense and posturing. (Okay, well maybe a little posturing, but I’m working on that 😉 ).

I’ll give you a taste of the conference after it’s over, but in the meantime, help me pick a route or two! I’m taking Amtrak both ways, so here are the route choices I’m considering:

TO the Conference:

Option 1: California Zephyr through Denver and the Rockies to Emeryville, then Pacific Surfliner to San Diego (with a stop at cousin Emily’s)

Option 2: Texas Eagle to New Orleans and the Alamo to Los Angeles, then Pacific Surfliner to San Diego

As a student (or a geezer!) you get a 15% discount on all travel, but sleepers are still full price. Having the Amtrak rewards membership lets you work toward free upgrades though, so ride those rails!

FROM the Conference:

Option 1: California Zephyr (as noted above)

Option 2: Coast Starlight to Seattle (and a visit to cousin Lauren, and a couple of friends there), then the Empire Builder across Glacier and the northwest.