Really anxious to get going. The wife’s been away for over a week now and I am finally done counting the days til I hit the road. Bags packed, house buttoned up and adrenaline pumping.
I get up at 5am after tossing around the nite thinking about the route to take to the Auto Train. Back road or highway, maybe a little of each. I decide to take 95N to Cocoa and cut over on the back road instead of the “Beeline”. The two lane road I choose although a slower pace, is the more enjoyable ride. No rush as I wind up leaving an hour prior to my plan to head out at 10 am.
The ride over to Sanford is easy and stress free with no traffic and great weather. I threw on my “chill vest” thinking it may be hot and although I probably didn’t need to, it felt great. The wet vest and wind combination kept me cool and comfortable even with the 80+ temperature. This being my first time wearing one, it turns out to be a good choice to buy one for this trip. I regret not having one for the last long trip where we road through some hot weather in Texas.
I pull into the Amtrak station before the gates that allow cars to enter are open. Riding a bike gets you early access around the gate so I take advantage of it and park over where they load the motorcycles on the train. As it turns out I am the first person to check in as the clerk makes sure to mention to me. I figured I would take advantage of her friendliness and ask if I could get a free upgrade to a bigger room but she just laughed and said” nuthins free here honey”. “Nothing ventured nothing gained” I say and we both laugh it off.
Sitting in the terminal I am reminded about the first trip I took on the Auto train 10 years ago and how excited I am to be doing this again. I’m thinking about how I am going to take a nap as soon as I get in the room, have a nice steak dinner and then a hot shower. A very relaxing trip ahead.
As I board the train I make my way through the tight, barely enough room for one person hallway, to my second level “roomette”, where I squeeze into the closet sized, bunk bed laden cubicle. I remember the first trip and how we both laughed at the size of the room. I am quickly greeted by the attendant as she informs me of the amenities and where dinner will be served. Her cubicle was across the hall from mine which gave us plenty of opportunity to chat it up on numerous occasions during the 16 hour trip.
If you haven’t rode a train overnight, it is quite the experience. I really enjoy it and find it relaxing and very interesting in that its a very unique way to travel. Everyone is in such close quarters to each other and sometimes its nice because you have a lot of chance meetings with others and get to pass the time talking about the train ride and why your riding it. Most people tend to be very friendly and seem to enjoy sharing their story with you.
One thing I always say about riding a motorcycle is that people are far more likely to approach me when they know that I am traveling by bike and this trip is no different. At dinner, I am seated at a table with a couple and another woman traveling by herself. She is the first to break the ice and blurts out” Hi, I’m Nancy and I am from Jupiter”! I find this funny how she was so raring to get the conversation started and I quickly respond to her. After some time passes the conversation moves on to why each of us is on the train and what are our plans after reaching our destination. This is when the conversations’ focus turns in my direction where questions and stories of motorcycle related events take over the topic during dinner. The couple made it clear that they travel frequently, have visited many places in the country and were quick to share places they thought I should visit while on the road. I mentally noted some and wrote it down when I returned to my room later that evening.
Being a light sleeper and because of all the movement of the train along the tracks, it is challenging for me to get a good nights rest. The train rocks constantly as it tosses you slightly back and forth. The sound of the train does counter that some as it becomes a white noise that seems to calm me enough to get some sleep during the nights long ride.
Funny side note: Traveling for me makes me think more about my bathroom habits and the timing of reliving myself of the previous days nourishment( if you get what I mean). I don’t want to be on the bike and have to stop to take care of business so as we near the final destination, I begin to get antsy about using the facilities before we reach the station. Okay, so I already mentioned how small the rooms are but they are huge compared to the bathrooms. My arms hit the side walls and my knees are inches from the door when I need to sit. It is not the most comfortable way to relieve yourself and naturally, the minute you sit, someone is knocking on the door to remind you they are waiting in line. Now, I am not one who sits and reads while taking care of my business but I DO NOT like knowing someone is waiting for me on the other side of the door, to finish. Now the pressure is on to not only get thru this quickly but hopefully a courtesy flush will be enough to clear the air of the telephone booth sized room I will exit to the waiting crowd of guests. Thankfully I get through unscathed this time and happily exit the train with an empty digestive track ready for the 5 hour ride ahead of me.
The ride from the Lorton Va. station to my family home in New Jersey is a memorable one. The roads were clear, the sky bright and beautiful and the scenery along the back roads and bridges were enjoyable. All things considered, I make it thru the first leg of my journey in good time with no issues. I consider myself lucky and chalk up another successful ride!
The Regular Guy
So glad you made it there safe and sound. We are so looking forward to maybe getting to see you. Have so much fun and give the family big kisses from us