Kiwis and Fairy Bread
Mike and Ellen's Travel Adventures
Designed with WordPress
-
Chicago to San Francisco: The California Zephyr
17-19 June 2025 There is so much to tell about our experience riding across the United States by train, that we are going to share our experience in two parts. This first installment will focus on the train itself. The second, on the incredible changing views. The Basics: Amtrak’s California Zephyr travels 2,438 miles powered by two engines (number 18 and number 47) and towing, in order, one baggage car, six double decker sleeper cards, a dining car (dining room on the top floor, kitchen on the bottom), an observation car (top floor) with cafe (bottom floor), and three double… Read more
-
Chicago to points West: riding our daddy’s magic carpet made of steel
17 June AFTERNOON It is everything I hoped it would be. In Union Station the First Class Amtrak lounge was crammed with people sitting on stuffed couches and chairs, surrounded by too much luggage (it is so hard to pack light!). Supplies were low at the complimentary refreshment bar and the coffee had run out. Just as well, as the announcement was that soon they would be boarding four full trains. But getting on the right one proved to be a frustrating process. The Amtrak ground crew firmly shouted out orders, that were then just as firmly contradicted by the… Read more
Kiwis and Fairy Bread 