But seriously, there's something magical about traveling across the country and being able to use your cell phone (and pocket knife) while you do so. It's also pretty amazing to be able to walk around freely, and (gasp) even be able to extend your legs in your seat.
But generalities aside, the specifics of this particular train were pretty incredible. The first thing we noticed was the 110V electrical outlets in every seat. How cool is that?!
Well, that was the first thing that we noticed when we got to our seats. The first thing that we noticed at all about the train is that it had an arcade!
We couldn't help but drop our jaws as what appeared to be a fully operation game room. Delta has nothing on that! Although, not only was I unwilling to waste a train ride staring at a screen, but I also got sick of early 90s video games sometime around 1992. I was going to spend my time in the view car!
The views along the California coast are easily some of the best in the world, and Amtrak wisely outfits its trains a couple of cars like the one above. But note: The photograph above is a little misleading. Both the other passenger and I were in the car before the train departed, which was against the rules. Once the train got moving, the car was a pretty happening place to be!
And the view did not dissapont. The train weaves through dramatic coastal cliffs, abandoned oilfields, and world class beaches. It also skirts alongside Vandenberg Air Force base, where the early space missions were launched from. It was a pretty amazing journey, and I can't recommend it enough. The ride from central California to Los Angeles took about 10 hours.
