Bennington - Albany - Tucson - Quartzsite - Phoenix - Tucson - Austin - San Antonio - St Louis - Fort Wayne - Albany - Bennington
Billy has a hankering to take a trip out west to meet up with Sharon and Kip in Quartzsite, AZ and it turns into a multiple connection flight and train journey.
Starting from Bennington, we took the bus to Albany and spent the night there in a hotel since all the flights leave either early in the morning or late at night. We arrived at Tucson, picked up a rental car and met Judy at her soon to be vacated casita. We helped her move dozens of plants into her new home and had a few days to see a bit of Tucson including a gorgeous hike in Sabino Canyon. The bright blue sky and warmth was so appealing!
Then it was on to Qartzsite to connect with Sharon, Kip and Kip's father where Kip's family owns property with 2 mobile homes. Along with some mobile home repairs and cleanup we were able to spend lots of time with Sharon and Kip, as well as take walks in the desert, visit the gem shows, and see the hoards of rv's spending winter in the sun and warmth of the desert. Then it was a quick stop in Phoenix to see old friends - Geoff, Mary and son Jim, then to the Solari Bell shop and factory, and back to Tucson for a few days to see Marilyn and Judy. It was great to reconnect with Marilyn and reminisce about times past. We walked early every morning with Marilyn and her friend and remembered how cold it is in the early morning and hot in the afternoon. The heat was evident in our walk in Saguaro National Park.
OK, then hop on Amtrak and off we went. We had a ticket that let you get on and off the train 10 times in 30 days. The first stop was to see Billy's sister, Susan and husband Jack near Austin, TX. We walked, visited and ate Tex-Mex food. Suzi let us borrow her car and we drove to San Antonio to see Ann's college friend, Carol and her husband Bruce. We were able to walk the river walk in San Antonio, eat more Tex-Mex food, and see the Alamo. Then back to Suzi's house for a couple of days before reboarding Amtrak.
We decided to break up the trip by stopping in St. Louis for a couple of days and be tourists. We visited the arch with a great museum and movie of the building of the arch and then rode up to the top, went in a beautiful old train station, toured the Budweiser brewing, and stopped by a few museums.
Back on the train to Fort Wayne to see Liz, Andy, Kate, Zeke and assorted dogs. Always lovely to visit with the family.
Then back on the train to Albany and bus to Bennington. Home again!
Tips for riding Amtrak:
* get in the car as far away from the engine as possible because they blow their whistle all night long at crossings
* bring something warm because the cars are often cold
* pack lots of munchies
* bring eye shades as there are some lights left on all night
* bring ear plugs
* bring entertainment
Starting from Bennington, we took the bus to Albany and spent the night there in a hotel since all the flights leave either early in the morning or late at night. We arrived at Tucson, picked up a rental car and met Judy at her soon to be vacated casita. We helped her move dozens of plants into her new home and had a few days to see a bit of Tucson including a gorgeous hike in Sabino Canyon. The bright blue sky and warmth was so appealing!
Then it was on to Qartzsite to connect with Sharon, Kip and Kip's father where Kip's family owns property with 2 mobile homes. Along with some mobile home repairs and cleanup we were able to spend lots of time with Sharon and Kip, as well as take walks in the desert, visit the gem shows, and see the hoards of rv's spending winter in the sun and warmth of the desert. Then it was a quick stop in Phoenix to see old friends - Geoff, Mary and son Jim, then to the Solari Bell shop and factory, and back to Tucson for a few days to see Marilyn and Judy. It was great to reconnect with Marilyn and reminisce about times past. We walked early every morning with Marilyn and her friend and remembered how cold it is in the early morning and hot in the afternoon. The heat was evident in our walk in Saguaro National Park.
OK, then hop on Amtrak and off we went. We had a ticket that let you get on and off the train 10 times in 30 days. The first stop was to see Billy's sister, Susan and husband Jack near Austin, TX. We walked, visited and ate Tex-Mex food. Suzi let us borrow her car and we drove to San Antonio to see Ann's college friend, Carol and her husband Bruce. We were able to walk the river walk in San Antonio, eat more Tex-Mex food, and see the Alamo. Then back to Suzi's house for a couple of days before reboarding Amtrak.
We decided to break up the trip by stopping in St. Louis for a couple of days and be tourists. We visited the arch with a great museum and movie of the building of the arch and then rode up to the top, went in a beautiful old train station, toured the Budweiser brewing, and stopped by a few museums.
Back on the train to Fort Wayne to see Liz, Andy, Kate, Zeke and assorted dogs. Always lovely to visit with the family.
Then back on the train to Albany and bus to Bennington. Home again!
Tips for riding Amtrak:
* get in the car as far away from the engine as possible because they blow their whistle all night long at crossings
* bring something warm because the cars are often cold
* pack lots of munchies
* bring eye shades as there are some lights left on all night
* bring ear plugs
* bring entertainment
