Hey all!
I survived the 33 hour train ride! I know there were some doubts that I could stay sane, but I did. My legs haven't recovered, but as soon as I rid myself of this work I will spend my day wandering around San Francisco. It's supposed to be in the mid 80s today! Crazy! Haven't decided where I'm going to go, but I think wandering Golden Gate Park is probably the best idea.
I'm on the wrong computer right now, so I can't upload photos from the mountains. Needless to say, there were some spectacular vistas, over 50 tunnels, 250 miles along the Colorado River and almost as long following the American River. I was fortunate that I got a row to myself for the overnight section so I could spread out, and even slept a whole 4 hours! Not at once, of course, but one of the sessions lasted a full hour! I'm still waking up at east coast times. I guess that won't last too much longer.
When I arrived yesterday I spent some time working at a coffee shop, then a pizza place. Marc then picked me up and we went to a bar for a quick drink before heading back and watching some Walking Dead waiting for Emily to come home. Everyone was tired, so we didn't stay up too late. Hopefully Emily will be able to leave work at a reasonable hour today so we can have a real evening.
Well, I was waiting around for people to send me stuff, but I'm tired of it, so I'm leaving this coffee shop. I'll try to post photos later tonight.
3,500 miles, 11 days, 4 cities, 3.4 days on trains, 1 big adventure...
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Pacific timezone!
With my check-in at the Elko, NV Amtrak station (really more of a bus stop), I have crossed into the Pacific timezone! And only 13 more hours in this train before Emryville! This has also been my most successful night of sleep on the train. 3 hours and only 3am! Trying for some more.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Goodbye, Colorado!
At the temporary train station. They're running 30 minutes late, which is a drop in the bucket compared to the 33 hours I'll be in the train. But I'm loaded with snacks and TV shows, so I should be ok.
Colorado was, as always, a great time! It was good to see everyone here and I hope they all come to visit Portland! It's a much easier and quicker trip than DC (plus there's more hiking, skiing and climbing).
Well that's all for now. Look for photos from the mountains coming soon!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Sunshine, discs, beers, Aflicktion
Still in Denver! Camped out at the very friendly neighborhood KJ's Coffee Bar for the morning. Lot's of work to get done. Ugh. It's lovely outside and I want to steal Christian's bike and enjoy it. Maybe this afternoon.
In more important news, yesterday was full of fun adventures in Fort Collins! Christian picked me up at the frisbee fields as Carrie and John were dominating the first round of their tournament. The drive was short, but we still needed to stop at Johnson's Corner for cinnamon buns.
When we arrived, Christian went for a ride on his mountain bike while Ben, Kaydence and I did work because we are not as cool. But once Bailey and her boyfriend arrived we had snack time and headed out to enjoy a brand new disc golf course. It was pretty flat, but once the trees grow up it will be more interesting. Of course, just because they're only 5 feet tall doesn't mean I didn't hit one on every other hole.
From there we went to a super cool bar/coffee shop/bike shop called Cranknstein. Lots of local brews, great atmosphere, good coffee. They also serve a beverage which is Great Divide's Yeti stout with a shot of espresso. I did not get it, but sampled Ben's, it was quite tasty. It was there that Sam and Angie met up with us and we headed to an Indian buffet for dinner. I ate too much. It was great.
Spent the night back in Denver at Christian's place, where I will be tonight as well. Next train out is 7:30am tomorrow. It's the long one: 33 hours! Gonna stock up on snacks today. Try to minimize food from the cafe car.
Alright, readers, time to get back to work. The more quickly I finish what I need to do, the sooner I get outside! Stay tuned for more adventures!
In more important news, yesterday was full of fun adventures in Fort Collins! Christian picked me up at the frisbee fields as Carrie and John were dominating the first round of their tournament. The drive was short, but we still needed to stop at Johnson's Corner for cinnamon buns.
When we arrived, Christian went for a ride on his mountain bike while Ben, Kaydence and I did work because we are not as cool. But once Bailey and her boyfriend arrived we had snack time and headed out to enjoy a brand new disc golf course. It was pretty flat, but once the trees grow up it will be more interesting. Of course, just because they're only 5 feet tall doesn't mean I didn't hit one on every other hole.
From there we went to a super cool bar/coffee shop/bike shop called Cranknstein. Lots of local brews, great atmosphere, good coffee. They also serve a beverage which is Great Divide's Yeti stout with a shot of espresso. I did not get it, but sampled Ben's, it was quite tasty. It was there that Sam and Angie met up with us and we headed to an Indian buffet for dinner. I ate too much. It was great.
Spent the night back in Denver at Christian's place, where I will be tonight as well. Next train out is 7:30am tomorrow. It's the long one: 33 hours! Gonna stock up on snacks today. Try to minimize food from the cafe car.
Alright, readers, time to get back to work. The more quickly I finish what I need to do, the sooner I get outside! Stay tuned for more adventures!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Denver!
Denver is a great town. I have fun every time I come here. I arrived yesterday morning and grabbed coffee and breakfast with Christian at a place near the train station (or rather, the temporary train station since the real station is under construction). It was a lovely temperature, though cloudy, which is unusual for Denver. It rained later, which ruined our plans a little, but oh well. Anyway, we spent the morning walking around LoDo and the Highlands. There was a sale at an outdoor store where I wanted to buy everything.
Christian had to drive to the mountains yesterday, so I hopped the light rail to the 'burbs to spend the rest of the day with Carrie and John. Our plan was to play disc golf, but the rain said "no". Instead we enjoyed an exhausting dance game for xbox Kinect. The evening was spent at a housewarming party for a frisbee friend of theirs. Didn't stay too late since I was running on very little sleep and they both have a tournament today.
Speaking of today, after a morning watching some ultimate, I'll be headed up to Fort Collins to do who knows what with more Lafayette folks! It's a beautiful day and there is lots of fun to be had!
Christian had to drive to the mountains yesterday, so I hopped the light rail to the 'burbs to spend the rest of the day with Carrie and John. Our plan was to play disc golf, but the rain said "no". Instead we enjoyed an exhausting dance game for xbox Kinect. The evening was spent at a housewarming party for a frisbee friend of theirs. Didn't stay too late since I was running on very little sleep and they both have a tournament today.
Speaking of today, after a morning watching some ultimate, I'll be headed up to Fort Collins to do who knows what with more Lafayette folks! It's a beautiful day and there is lots of fun to be had!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Approaching Denver
A fairly uneventful train ride. Did go through Nebraska and Iowa for the first times. There were some crazy thunderstorms in Nebraska. The rain was so heavy I couldn't see more than a few feet away on each lightning strike.
About an hour from Denver now. The mix of people on this ride is interesting. A direct line from one of the fattest cities in the US to one of the fittest. When I was in the cafe car earlier a 250 pounds man asked if they had Mountain Dew. They did. Gross. But they also have organic trail mix and vegan burgers (which they heat in the microwave). I had a frozen pizza and Sierra Nevada pale ale for dinner. Could have been worse.
Getting my first glimpse of the mountains now as the sun rises behind the train. Looks like it will be another beautiful sunny day in Denver! Colorado is one of my favorite places with a lot of my favorite people, looking forward to a great weekend!
About an hour from Denver now. The mix of people on this ride is interesting. A direct line from one of the fattest cities in the US to one of the fittest. When I was in the cafe car earlier a 250 pounds man asked if they had Mountain Dew. They did. Gross. But they also have organic trail mix and vegan burgers (which they heat in the microwave). I had a frozen pizza and Sierra Nevada pale ale for dinner. Could have been worse.
Getting my first glimpse of the mountains now as the sun rises behind the train. Looks like it will be another beautiful sunny day in Denver! Colorado is one of my favorite places with a lot of my favorite people, looking forward to a great weekend!
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