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Entry tags:
Planes, trains and automobiles
I've been considering my options for transportation to Arkansas at the end of April. Flying is always fastest but not particularly comfortable. Driving is more comfortable but oh so tiring. And then there's the train...
I've never taken a train trip anywhere, so I checked out Amtrak for routes and accommodations. The seats looked comfortable and roomy enough (you should open that link in a new window), the price was reasonable, but the schedule involved me arriving in Malvern at 5:00 AM, departing at 11:00 PM for the return trip, and included a 2-1/2 hour bus trip between Springfield and Galena, Illinois, both coming and going. On an alternate route, I could have a 2-1/2 hour bus trip between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. And no baggage check for a good portion of the trip on any route. That would be an adventure. When I considered that I'd be on the train for nearly three days, I looked at upgrading from a seat to a berth (room) so I could sleep comfortably and have a little privacy, but then my fare went up to nearly $1400.00. Not gonna happen. I still want to take the train some day, but not this time. Some other time, maybe when spouse is with me. Not that I'm afraid of going by myself, but it will be less frustrating if he's there to help with the baggage.
After that little detour, I checked the airline ticketing websites and found a red-eye fare from Sacramento to Little Rock for under $220. It puts me at the Little Rock airport about 8:30 in the morning, and my departure time is in the early evening, making it easy on my mother to pick me up and send me off. Spouse, however, gets the privilege of taking me to and picking me up from Sacramento at midnight. I booked my e-ticket last night. I like buying plane tickets a month ahead of time. Fares are so cheap! If spouse and I plan things right and we can always get rates this low, we may be able to fly back on visits a couple of times a year.
Today I am getting a haircut and going shopping. J.C. Penney and Gottschalks are both having good sales: I need pantyhose and want to look at some new clothes for work. Maybe a nice tailored dress or a suit. Possibly a new pair of shoes. Spouse needs new T-shirts and underwear.
After raining all night, we've got gorgeous blue skies right now. It's supposed to cloud up and rain again later today. I hope it holds off until I get my shopping done.
I've never taken a train trip anywhere, so I checked out Amtrak for routes and accommodations. The seats looked comfortable and roomy enough (you should open that link in a new window), the price was reasonable, but the schedule involved me arriving in Malvern at 5:00 AM, departing at 11:00 PM for the return trip, and included a 2-1/2 hour bus trip between Springfield and Galena, Illinois, both coming and going. On an alternate route, I could have a 2-1/2 hour bus trip between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. And no baggage check for a good portion of the trip on any route. That would be an adventure. When I considered that I'd be on the train for nearly three days, I looked at upgrading from a seat to a berth (room) so I could sleep comfortably and have a little privacy, but then my fare went up to nearly $1400.00. Not gonna happen. I still want to take the train some day, but not this time. Some other time, maybe when spouse is with me. Not that I'm afraid of going by myself, but it will be less frustrating if he's there to help with the baggage.
After that little detour, I checked the airline ticketing websites and found a red-eye fare from Sacramento to Little Rock for under $220. It puts me at the Little Rock airport about 8:30 in the morning, and my departure time is in the early evening, making it easy on my mother to pick me up and send me off. Spouse, however, gets the privilege of taking me to and picking me up from Sacramento at midnight. I booked my e-ticket last night. I like buying plane tickets a month ahead of time. Fares are so cheap! If spouse and I plan things right and we can always get rates this low, we may be able to fly back on visits a couple of times a year.
Today I am getting a haircut and going shopping. J.C. Penney and Gottschalks are both having good sales: I need pantyhose and want to look at some new clothes for work. Maybe a nice tailored dress or a suit. Possibly a new pair of shoes. Spouse needs new T-shirts and underwear.
After raining all night, we've got gorgeous blue skies right now. It's supposed to cloud up and rain again later today. I hope it holds off until I get my shopping done.