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Katie and I with Conductor A. FinleyI think that one of my favorite things about the train is the interaction I enjoyed with the people around us. We spent a lot of time in the Observation Car playing

Playing Cards

various games, or reading, or chatting. Last night we stayed up till like 2 playing the dice game, and as we were doing that the conductor was constantly passing through the Observation Car and joking with us. Tim, a fellow passenger walked by, saw us, and asked "How do I get in on that?" To which we answered with a smile "Have a seat."

Corn Fields

He was traveling with a young boy, who I believe was his nephew, Josh. He also joined us for a little while. Sadly, Tim, Josh, and Conductor Kinley all got off the train that night.

New Mexico

We were sad to see them go, but there was still a train full of people there to meet! and there were views of NM, KS, MO to take in.

Soy Fields

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Cielito Lindo Taquitos This trip began with a car ride to Cielito Lindo, on Olivera Street in LA for Taquitos--and they were a supper yummy dinner! Then it was across the street to Union Station where we waited for our departure. We arrived super early because of "carmagedon" (the 405 freeway was shut down for construction and everyone was predicting huge amounts of chaos for cars--turned out it was fine.) so we had plenty of time to enjoy our taquitos and the luxury of finding out we are first class on this trip.

Waiting in Union Station

We were told to just take a seat and someone would come looking for us. Nice. Before too long an oversized golf cart came to us and Denise (?) drove us to the train--She was wonderful and even dropped us off right where we would be entering our train car, even though the train was not yet on the tracks. She is good! Once the train arrived, we met Riley, our fantastic Porter. He was with us for the whole trip, and we were all happy about that. Riley was so nice and he took great care of us--He even helped us trade sleeper cars so that our group was just across the hall from each other (instead of on different levels as we were assigned). Off to a great start!

On the train's Sleeper Car

]]> Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=63922 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=275256 0 34.05222 -118.24278 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=6131 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=53467 0 34.0975 -117.6475 San Diego area to do both. I had to work/volunteer on Saturday afternoon, so as soon as I got off we headed down and spent the weekend there. On Sunday we went to church at the MCRD in San Diego--It was weird being pretty much the only girl there. I mean, The Branch presidency's wives were there, but that's it. Let me tell you: singing was weird! Haha. But it was interesting to see everyone and it really was a very spiritual meeting. I got a personal tour of the facility, and I saw the McCain Family seats at the "taco hut" (I don't really know why, but that's what the building is called) where they watch the graduations. Some day we'll go back on a Friday so I can see a graduation.
I also went to the gun show...not really exciting because it's less a show and more a swap-meet. So unless you are buying parts for your gun (I don't have a gun) you're really just wondering around and looking at shirts and bumper stickers that insult Obama, or warn that there is a gun on the premises, or in support of the troupes. Some were really funny and others were kinda deep. Don't get me wrong--It's always fun watching people at these things!
On Camp Pendelton there is a beautiful beach! It's really clean because you have to get on base to get there. I was really looking forward to getting some time in a swimsuit and the sun, but it was pretty windy and cold, so maybe next time. Instead we went to the shops and I bought myself some tax-free perfume! :-) Then on our way home we stopped in Vegas. Ok, so Vegas isn't on our way home...and we didn't really go there, but I felt like I was in a Vegas casino when I entered the South Coast Plaza--very fancy. We ate burgers at the Rainforest Cafe...As classy as we get. Hahaha.]]> Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=6131 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=53463 0 33.14333 -117.16528 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=6131 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=53462 0 34.0975 -117.6475 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=6131 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=53461 0 34.0975 -117.6475 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=6131 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=53460 0 34.0975 -117.6475 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=6131 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=53395 0 40.29694 -111.69389 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.blogabond.com/TripView.aspx?tripID=6131 http://www.blogabond.com/CommentView.aspx?commentID=53394 0 33.76694 -118.18833