Going My Way

August 2011

For months it seemed I planned to take a trip on the train to see David and Elisabeth in Washington. Started as a way for them to help my lifestyle as Dee wished to go camping with her family. I wanted to see David and family—I didn’t want to go camping. Sleeping on the ground was not a desire of mine. A train ride was a good option and a train ride should be a good experience—and it was. My entries in the July journal are in this report.

Saturday morning, packed with a suitcase, a walker and a couple of day bags, Dee loaded me on at Fullerton Station. The planning forgotten—the action go. First stop, transfer at Union Station to train to Washington. Using Red Caps and counting cash, the transfer was made to a lower level seating close to the bathroom car. I was the only passenger. The stop at Oxnard seemed long, so I looked out a window. Four policemen, 2 cars, and 3 people. Husband, wife and child on the platform. Found out later there was a domestic disturbance. She had thrown a cell phone and bad language between them. They were taken off the train, and off we went again.

At San Luis Obispo people were added to my car—two college boys, and 6 men who were alcohol-happy. They were having a bachelor party in Oakland and had started the party on the train. They were noisy and nasty. The language was graphic and stories and conquests were obscene. They had their own liquor and bought more beer on the train. I was offended by the vulgar words. After a few hours of this I said a prayer to see what I could do. One of the men called me “Pops,” asked where I was going. I explained, and said I hadn’t heard language like this since Okinawa in the Navy and asked what do your kids think of this activity. Do you think they are proud of their dads? What does your Dad think of your action? This brought out a little anger and “Pops” was not their friend any more. The conductor intervened and it cooled down until they got off in Oakland. We shook hands and wished each other well as they departed.

After a short rest stop for the smokers, a lady came to my seat and insisted I was in her seat, #77. I showed her my ticket, and that I had been in this seat since Los Angeles. The bachelor party boys were only too willing to help her and said she could stay—they would make room. She was encouraged by some to look to another car. She left only to come back and insist she was right. It took awhile but the conductor came and took her away to another car—much to the distress of the bachelor boys.

The view from the train is spectacular. The ocean and the Oregon-Washington Cascade Mountains are something to enjoy. Yet not for all. A couple of young people missed the whole adventure. They each had a sight more interesting—a computer screen and a telephone that had games to play. Technology won out and they never saw what was outside—eyes fixed on electronic screens.

There is no smoking on the train, however Amtrac tries to please. Stops were made about every 2 hours. Sometimes no special reasons, only to let people off to take a few puffs. The conductor would say, “We are here for a very short time. Stay close to the train if you need to take a couple of puffs. One stop was for 90 seconds. Ten or 15 people would get off, a few quick puffs, then step on the cigarette butts on the dirt or platform.

My train ride was 36 hours one way—so some food was needed. Amtrac will provide—maybe. There are two places for food. The dining car, serving sleeping-car passengers first, then the café car that has snacks and some sandwiches. The seat that I had was lower level handicap which meant close to the bathroom and no stairs to climb. The train steward was to bring food to the lower level—at his convenience. I gave him $5 for each trip, so I got some service. The menu was given at each seat—sandwich, drink, chips, cheese snacks, trail mix, etc. It was all prepackaged. I ordered an Italian submarine. It was a roll with lunch meat—salami—frozen. He had asked if I wanted it warmed. I said no—the condiments were small packages of mayo and mustard—which had to be opened with my teeth—most of the time it didn’t work. I tried most of the menu choices on the ride. Not a lot of things to eat. I wasn’t using much energy, so I managed. The same menu was offered on the return trip, so food on the train was not an exciting event.

David and Elisabeth met me at Seattle on time—9PM. Another ½ hour and I was there. I was treated like royalty with David and Elisabeth. They had a recliner chair and a special bed for my comfort. Sunday we went to church and I was introduced to his friends. In the afternoon, he prepared lunch for Lee Ross’s family and Rachel and Ryan. Lee and I had not met for at least 65 years. He is 5 years older than I and left Mt Pleasant, Utah in WW2 and lived in Silver Springs. He too was a government lawyer—I think for Social Security. We had nice talks of memories of JW and the brothers of his Dad.

The week in Seattle was restful and pleasant. With David I went on a ferry ride in car to Bremerton—very pretty. Went to an Indian restaurant on Friday. It was very nice, different food. I like California type better.

The trip trip home was more pleasant than before, even if the train was sold out—all seats filled. I sat with a young man who was a teacher of English, educated in Thailand, but teaching in Korea. No jobs in US for teachers. A young mother with child in a basket 6-8 months old was close, and we talked about the navy of today. She had been in for 2 years and husband in now, and they were stationed at Pearl Harbor.

I was often alone on my seat but at times all seats were used. For a few hours, it was very crowded. Three women were very large and took a good part of two seats. The passengers assigned to share the seat them was very crowded. Some took time in the lounge car, but were not allowed to sleep there. I was sharing a seat with a lady not oversized, but very friendly.

Arriving at Union Station, I tried to cell phone to Dee, but it would not work. A fellow passenger had a better phone, so Dee was contacted and connections confirmed. All ended well-- home by 11 pm. The trip ended. It was an experience into a world unfamiliar to me, that needs the help of the gospel. Change must come from the Lord.