Sun Oct 2, 12:30 pm: Leaving Home
![](http://d2k8htqlk8yn1a.cloudfront.net/img/flags-png/us.png)
I am finally on the road. Only 27 hours after I was supposed to be traveling!
First leg: Sunnyvale -> Los Osos by minivan.
But first, I gotta stop for gas. Filled up the tank and it was exactlyLeer más
I am finally on the road. Only 27 hours after I was supposed to be traveling!
First leg: Sunnyvale -> Los Osos by minivan.
But first, I gotta stop for gas. Filled up the tank and it was exactlyLeer más
I took the scenic route to enjoy the view.
The alarm went off ungodly early, but I had enough time for one last pre-trip COVID test (negative!) and a made it to the train with plenty of time to spare.
I was quite confused about picking whichLeer más
Leg 2: San Luis Obispo -> Los Angeles by train
It turns out that I was confused about the train seat arrangement. Half of the seats face forward and half of them face backwards. By switching from theLeer más
We pulled into LA about 20 minutes late and I was absolutely starving because I had been up for hours with nothing but a little pastry on board the train to eat.
Fortunately the train station isLeer más
This is a lovely station. Maybe not as grand as some but still very impressive. They even have a piano set up for anyone who wants to play.
I had a 7 hour layover, so after lunch I decided to explore the area around Union Station.
Union station is right across the street from the original main street in the Pueblo of Los Angeles. ItLeer más
A few blocks away from Olivera Street is LA's Chinatown. It seems smaller than San Francisco's, but still has some interesting landmarks. And it even has a statue of Bruce Lee.
After Chinatown I headed over towards Little Tokyo. That was a bit farther away than I'd expected, and I wasn't really dressed for walking in the LA heat. So by the time I got to Little Tokyo I wasLeer más
Leg 3: Los Angeles -> Chicago
Around 5:00 we started gathering to get ready to board the Southwest Chief. Once I got to my little roomette I swiftly got my train shoes on and got myself situated toLeer más
OMG, Sarah, I have been trying to, but so far failed in reaching the $100 mark! I guess I should be grateful that gas prices didn't get to the level that would've made that happen. [Frances]