Making it a “Hallmark” Christmas - Pt. 1

We brought Billy home from the hospital after three days. He seems to be doing much better but we’re definitely going to have to keep an eye on him. Fingers crossed. 

Before heading to St. Louis on the California Zephyr I made time to run two December races and both felt like part of the “Hallmark” Christmas experience. Despite the fact that I’ve gained back to much weight over Thanksgiving I still felt good at both races. The first was a new one in Sacramento and the second I’ve done several times, the Spirit of Giving in Modesto. As far as any more December races it’ll depend on schedules. 

Riding the California Zephyr 

A big part of my Christmas trip that I was looking forward to was the trip on Amtrak. We had taken a long train trip about thirty years ago and I remembered that we all enjoyed it. Most of the trip was as I remembered with a lot of beautiful scenery and a fairly comfortable seat to read and enjoy relaxing. One of the highlights for me occurred on the first day when a bald eagle flew alongside the train along the Truckee River. It was truly majestic 

As with any public transportation there were some negatives but that’s to be expected. A couple of crying little ones. Some talking to loudly on their cellphones and one man right across from me who only talked when he was arguing with someone who didn’t exist except in his mind. And finally it’s impossible to sleep comfortably in a train seat for two nights in a row when you’re 70 years old. 😳 Even with access to both seats. 

The first part of the Denver to Chicago leg was at night so there wasn’t anything to see from eastern Colorado through Nebraska until the next morning when we were in Iowa. It was that second night when I made the decision that going back would be last multi night trip on a train in coach. Just impossible to get comfortable. 

The foggy looking picture was crossing the Mississippi going east. The Chicago dog I bought at Union Station in Chicago was very good but I didn’t slow down to enjoy it as much as I normally would because I had luggage concerns to deal with. Coming into Chicago I asked the conductor if my luggage would simply be changed from one train to the next. That’s when she informed me that she was looking for me to tell me that my luggage wouldn’t be sent on to St. Louis until the next night because the train I was taking didn’t have a luggage car. She said I could pick it up and take it on the train with me if I didn’t want to wait. I went to baggage claim and was told it would be at least 30 minutes before they would call down to have it sent up. Thus, a good time to have a Chicago dog. I ate. I picked up my luggage. I went to the waiting area. And I got on my phone and made a reservation to fly home. 😂