USA by train

A 55-day adventure by Dennis Read more

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Trip start
June 16, 2016
USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 1
Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 8:55 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 459 ft
United States Lamar Beach 30.26965, -97.7568130°16’11” N 97°45’25” W
All aboard
June 16, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
After falling behind in the home renovations and tweaking my back moving furniture, we decided beginning a northbound thru hike of the Appalachian would have to be postponed. Instead, we opted to go with a 45 day rail pass. During this time, we hope to visit some of the great national parks in this country and see some of the country side.Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 2
Friday, June 17, 2016 at 8:12 AM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 456 ft
United States Botanical Heights 38.62482, -90.2458338°37’29” N 90°14’45” W
Austin - St Louis (disconnected)
June 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
I have some very fond memories of taking the train with my mom and siblings to visit my aunt back when we were younger. Riding the train now took me back to that simpler time. Before 1gb Internet connections and YouTube and instagram and the myriad of other "entertainment" options we have today that almost seem designed to completely shut out the world around us. It may be slower, clunkier and maybe a little outdated compared to many other travel options, but then again, maybe I am too!Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 2
Friday, June 17, 2016 at 5:28 PM
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 486 ft
United States Peabody Darst Webbe 38.61702, -90.2070938°37’1” N 90°12’26” W
A day in St Louis
June 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Today we spent the day exploring a bit of St Louis. After a tasty breakfast at a little downtown diner, we headed off to the gateway arch. 8 pods of 5 people each sitting in very close proximity dragged up to the top of this 630 foot rail. The ride was pretty smooth, but not being a huge fan of heights, I didn't get too close to the windows. The views of the Mississippi River and the city were quite spectacular. After this, we hopped an uber to check out one of America's great cathedrals. Walking into this place was breathtaking. The amount of detail evident on every mozaic mural was really impressive.Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 3
Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 7:47 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 440 ft
United States St. Louis Railway Station 38.62613, -90.2050838°37’34” N 90°12’18” W
Next stop Flagstaff AZ
June 18, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We hopped the 4pm train from St louis to Kansas City. This train seemed more like a nice commuter train and was nowhere near as comfortable as the long distance trains. Once in Kansas city, we waited for a couple of hours to catch the southwest chief, which was running a little late. The train was full and people were grumpy, but within an hour most were calmed down and headed to sleep, myself included. The next day we saw a bit of Kansas, Colorado, new Mexico and Arizona. Met a few fun characters on the way.Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 5
Monday, June 20, 2016 at 9:42 PM
🌙 26 °C
Altitude: 7,149 ft
United States Mather Point 36.05238, -112.102736°3’9” N 112°6’10” W
Grand Canyon (National Park #1)
June 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 26 °C
We rented a car in flagstaff today and headed out to the grand canyon. Wow, that thing is huge with many places being a mile straight down and over 10 miles across. My head was spinning even without getting close to the edge. It was a bit hazy, so the pictures didn't turn out great, but the views were incredible. It was crazy seeing all the kids running around just inches from certain death and the people going around the safety rails to dangle their feet over the edge for that perfect selfie. No thanks! We made it back just in time to return the car and grab the train, which turned out to be 3 hours late. Ouf I need a nap or a beer or a beer nap.Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 6
Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 295 ft
United States Hollywood Recreation Center 34.09077, -118.328334°5’27” N 118°19’42” W
Hollywood
June 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Next stop LA and hollywood. It was a nice little stop, but this trip isn't about big cities, so it was a quick one. Got to see the Hollywood sign, walk of fame and the Chinese theater and just hang out around the boulevard. Actually had a guy in our dorm room from Cap Pele, NB.Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 7
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 12:00 AM
🌙 16 °C
Altitude: 492 ft
United States Lafler Canyon 36.19858, -121.7197536°11’55” N 121°43’11” W
California dreaming
June 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
When we were trying to decide our next leg of the trip, an idea came up. "Let's rent a car and drive up the Pacific Coast highway". So we did. If you've ever done it, you know. If you haven't, I don't think I have the vocabulary to explain it. Driving on the edge of cliffs with the ocean far below on one side and a wall of rock on the other. Throw in 20 mph hairpin turns and the sun in your eyes and you better be wearing a seat belt and a good antiperspirant. If there's a more scenic drive in North america, I want to know what it is.Read more
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Day 9
Friday, June 24, 2016 at 3:02 PM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 16 ft
United States Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park 37.18234, -122.3938137°10’56” N 122°23’38” W
R&R Time
June 24, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
After sleeping in trains and spending the day in LA, we needed some good sleep away from any hustle and bustle. We found an amazing little hostel about an hour south of San Francisco. It's was a coast Guard lighthouse that was donated to california state parks. They built a few bunkhouse which are used for the hostel. Nothing but the sounds and views of the ocean along with some seals and other sea creatures. Until tonight (friday), we were pretty much the only guests here. So peaceful and serene. Just what we needed. We may never leave.Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 11
Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 2:31 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 102 ft
United States Fort Mason Chapel 37.8063, -122.4281237°48’23” N 122°25’41” W
San Fran
June 26, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We spent Saturday in san francisco in a 20 bed dorm. With that many people, I wasn't expecting much sleep, but I slept like a baby. We did a little boat ride around the bay to get a closer look at alcatraz and the golden gate bridge. Had a fun time shooting some pool and having a few beers with Jacob. The pride parade was on sunday, so downtown was crazy when trying to get around town. Luckily we made it to the train station in time. San Francisco weather is so awesome. Shorts and t shirt during the day and jeans and sweater at night.Read more
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Day 12
Monday, June 27, 2016
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 3,944 ft
United States Yosemite Creek 37.74613, -119.5905637°44’46” N 119°35’26” W
Yosemite National Park
June 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
The park itself was gorgeous. Sheer walls of granite going straight up thousands of feet, the tallest waterfall in North America and tall sequoia trees all around us. Unfortunately, we didn't get to experience much of it. Without a car we were forced to use the shuttle system, which seems more geared toward the masses with not many shuttle options for the more remote areas. We did set ourselves up for a 3-4 day hike up and around the rim and over a few of the waterfalls, but we gave up after trying to find the trailhead for 2 hours or so in 100 degree heat and decided to pack up and head north for cooler weather. It was a decision we didn't regret.Read more
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Day 14
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 49 ft
United States Union Gospel Mission Lifechange Center 45.52323, -122.6743445°31’24” N 122°40’28” W
Going green in Oregon
June 29, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
A few years back I was thinking about a move up to the portland area. It would not have been a bad choice. The state is beautiful. Tall pine trees as far as the eye can see, crystal clear streams and lakes, snow covered mountain peaks, waterfalls aplenty, rugged coastline with whales feeding just a couple hundred yards from shore and perfect weather. Makes me wonder why the place is relatively so sparsely populated. Maybe that's part of its beauty.Read more
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Day 19
Monday, July 4, 2016
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 39 ft
United States Lake Union Seaplane Base 47.62231, -122.3343647°37’20” N 122°20’4” W
Washington
July 4, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
After all the beautiful scenery in Oregon we were hoping Washington wouldn't be a let down. It certainly wasn't. Lush rainforests, more waterfalls, glaciers and volcanoes. This trip is making me wish I had a couple of fishing poles. We visited 2 more national parks while here (Olympic and Mt Ranier) This is our last stop before heading back to austin and hot summer weather.Read more
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 38
Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 3,002 ft
United States Arnett Lake 33.53047, -101.7261633°31’50” N 101°43’34” W
Trading in the train tickets
July 23, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
The house has been officially sold and so we had a few options of what to do next. Get back on the train, take one of the vehicles or look for an rv. The rv seemed like the best one, so we could bring "home" with us. We started searching. Thought we might not find one, but after a week, we had one we liked. It even matches the truck. So now we're back off to get out of the Texas heat. Hopefully colorado, Wyoming and montana will be coming up. Thanks Sam for your hospitality and letting us stay at your place for a couple of weeks.Read more
Love your home away from home!! Travel safe!!
7/23/16Reply
Eric AndersonLooks awesome. I've enjoyed following your adventure.
7/24/16Reply
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USA by train Dennis Melanson
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Day 47
Monday, August 1, 2016
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 9,823 ft
United States Spruce Lake 40.34057, -105.6872440°20’26” N 105°41’14” W
Rocky mountain high
August 1, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
After taking a day and a half just to get out of Texas, we finally made it to cooler weather in the Colorado rockies. We spent some time hiking and driving in rocky Mountain national park (NP #5 the trip). The park was pretty awesome with the highest continuous road in the US at over 12,000'. It was actually on the brink of snowing and down to lower 40s, when down at the bottom it was mid 80s. The real gem of the area though was brainard lake recreational area and campground. This was about 1 hour south of the park and there was practically zero crowds and the views, trails, wildlife and fishing were outstanding. We really didn't want to leave. One thing we've realized is that the US forest service run campgrounds are better than the national parks campgrounds. The new trailer is working out great. It's so awesome to have the comforts of home wherever you go.Read more
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Day 54
Monday, August 8, 2016
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 6,952 ft
United States Grand Teton National Park 43.79144, -110.6817543°47’29” N 110°40’54” W
Grand tetons
August 8, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Stayed 6 days at Grand teton national park. Saw our first of many wild bison. We had a moose walk through our campground, caught a few smaller trout and enjoyed a couple of hikes. The mountains and the park are really nice. We started having some truck issues, so had to go get a new a/c compressor before heading out to yellowstone.Read more
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Trip end
August 9, 2016