writingtherails

The "After" Shot

2009-06-05T11:28:00.001-07:00

The "After" Shot
Originally uploaded by Robbi Baba

We're back. Rob and India met us in San Francisco and drove us home with our internal clocks three hours askew.

We have had an amazing "Big Adventure"!

(Will try to fill in the blanks here later from all the pics over on flickr.)

Point of Departure

2009-06-05T11:25:00.001-07:00

Point of Departure
Originally uploaded by Robbi Baba

Thanks to Rob & Krista for taking us to the Amtrak station in Martinez and seeing us off.

Cool DC bus driver

2009-06-01T03:09:00.001-07:00

Cool DC bus driver
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

On Sunday we had planned to take a trip out to Mt Vernon but the tours were expensive and we were tired of rushing to see one more thing. We decided to use our Smartrip cards and ride the buses to explore some of DC. The drivers and bus riders were friendly and helpful wherever we went.
In the afternoon we went to the National Archives to see the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

Joyce buys strawberries

2009-06-01T02:56:00.001-07:00

Joyce buys strawberries
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

This was an impressive display of Virginia strawberries. Joyce bought a basket which we nibbled on through the morning.

Dupont Circle farm market

2009-06-01T02:52:00.001-07:00

Dupont Circle farm market
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Not all the good produce is in Sonoma county.

Janet gives Joyce directions

2009-06-01T02:50:00.001-07:00

Janet gives Joyce directions
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Janet was a local resident we met at a Dupont Circle bus stop. She insisted we go up Massachusetts Ave to see all the embassy houses and get off to see the National Cathedral.

National Cathedral

2009-06-01T02:42:00.001-07:00

National Cathedral
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

We had not intended to go here but Janet who we met at a bus stop insisted. It is beautiful.

Looking at Original Consititution

2009-06-01T02:38:00.001-07:00

Looking at Original Consititution
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

The original is in the Rotunda of the National Archives. The lights are very subdued to protect the fragile documents. Only a few people are allowed into the room each time and you are allowed to wander freely to look at the documents. It is strangely moving to be in the room with the real ones.

Joyce on Capitol steps

2009-05-31T03:48:00.001-07:00

Joyce on Capitol steps
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

We've been in D.C. for three days now.It has been a non-stop whirlwind.

The first day was spent getting to our room at the Bloomingdale Inn about a mile from the mall, walking a few blocks to have a late afternoon meal at Wilson's Diner by Howard University and then settling in to regroup.

The next day we were off to explore the Capitol Mall. We spent an hour going to the Metro central to get Smartrip cards for the buses. That turned out to be a waste. It was $10 for two senior cards but then you had to load the cards with value (we each added $5). The cards malfunctioned frequently so we still needed bus fare.

Once we got to the Mall the day was beautiful. We visited museums: Native American, Air and Space, Natural Sciences. Then up to Union Station for a meal then took the 80 bus back to our room.

Saturday we visited the Memorials and White House. Took the 80 bus from our room to the White House then walked the Mall from end to end: Vietnam , Lincoln, Jefferson Memorials, Holocaust Museum, the Capitol, Library of Congress. I believe the Mall is over 5 miles long and the White House and Jefferson Memorial are off the Mall a good distance. We did a lot of walking and our feet felt it. But it was a perfect Spring day - about 80 degrees with an occasional cool breeze.

Put up lots more pics on Flickr.

Amtrak mural NOLA

2009-05-29T04:52:00.001-07:00

Amtrak mural NOLA
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

As we were leaving New Orleans I snapped this picture of this great mural at the Amtrak station. I didn't realize that it had been created by the father of our long time neighbor (and our daughter's high school cohort). She has scans of newspaper reports at the time on her flicker page.

He also worked on the bell tower at the Ursilines Convent.

Old door French Quarter

2009-05-28T11:33:00.001-07:00

Old door French Quarter
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Aaaaargh! With intermittent internet access and time spent sight-seeing we are losing ground on updating entries here. Will try to catch up as we can. Meanwhile I have put a pile of pics from Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans on flickr here.

Dinner

2009-05-24T16:39:00.001-07:00

Dinner
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Dinner on the train.

Leaving Chicago

2009-05-24T16:38:00.001-07:00

Leaving Chicago
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

View out the window of the "City of New Orleans " headed for Memphis.

Union Station

2009-05-24T16:34:00.001-07:00

Union Station
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

New and Improved

2009-05-24T16:31:00.001-07:00

New and Improved
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Makeover

2009-05-24T16:30:00.001-07:00

Makeover
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Shopping at the Magnificent Mile we walked through Neiman Marcus and 85 year old Selma had me in the chair at the Orlane counter for a makeover. She was so darling and fun. I left with a new face, an N.M. credit card and a very expensive beauty product.

I knew all her tactics and still couldn't resist.

Caffe Baci

2009-05-24T16:17:00.001-07:00

Caffe Baci
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Eating again?

Planter

2009-05-24T16:15:00.001-07:00

Planter
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Art Institute

2009-05-24T16:14:00.001-07:00

Art Institute
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

This was a fantastic museum. They had just completed a new wing and admission was free. Huge crowds to see the new exhibits we saw just a portion -- Monet, Manet, Miro, Redon, Gauguin, Picasso and much much more.

Park Fountain

2009-05-24T16:06:00.001-07:00

Park Fountain
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Chicago is full of beautiful parks. This is Buckingham Park near Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan

2009-05-24T16:01:00.003-07:00

Lake Michigan
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Street planter

2009-05-24T16:01:00.001-07:00

Street planter
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Across the canal

2009-05-24T16:00:00.001-07:00

Across the canal
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Spent the day walking across Chicago before catching the 8pm train to Memphis.

Barrington train depot

2009-05-22T07:53:00.001-07:00

Barrington train depot
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Barrington street

2009-05-22T07:52:00.001-07:00

Barrington street
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Barrington is beautiful little village. Joyce thought it reminded her of Ashland Oregon. (Without the surrounding mountains,)

Lived here 1943 or 1944

2009-05-22T07:49:00.001-07:00

Lived here 1943 or 1944
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Hard to see behind the fence and trees.

Spring green countryside

2009-05-22T07:47:00.001-07:00

Spring green countryside
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Cemetery

2009-05-22T07:46:00.001-07:00

I had a sister, born while we lived in Hawaii, who died when she was 6 mos. She is buried in this cemetery.Cemetery
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

With Aunt Sue a nd Uncle Herb

2009-05-22T07:45:00.001-07:00

With Aunt Sue and Uncle Herb
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Sue is my Mom's youngest sister. When our family moved out West we lost touch with the rest of the family. I got a phone number from my step father and gave it a try. I was great to be able to reconnect,

Sue and Herb were charming and gracious, They met us near this old church that my family attended when I was a child. They took us to a nice lunch and then showed us how to get to this church and one of the homes we lived in back in the mid '40s.

A very nice visit!

Back at the Blake

2009-05-22T07:28:00.001-07:00

Back at the Blake
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Ack---I look just like Daddy.

Dinner at Blackies

2009-05-22T07:25:00.001-07:00

Dinner at Blackies
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

It is a lite beer! Like that's gonna help.

Window View

2009-05-22T07:21:00.001-07:00

Window View
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Notice the grass on top of Starbucks.

Blake Hotel room

2009-05-22T07:19:00.001-07:00

Blake Hotel room
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Wow--this hotel is great. It is in the heart of the Printer's Row district in the old Morton Salt building from the 30's. As one Chicagoan told us at dinner--"You are in a really cool part of Chicago". Everyone we have met and dealt with has been so friendly and not in a fake way, People start conversations on the 6 floor elevator ride. By the time you reach the lobby you are cracking jokes.
It's great to sleep in a king size bed with down pillows and and comfy mattress.

Trainside junkyard

2009-05-22T07:01:00.001-07:00

Trainside junkyard
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Illinois farm

2009-05-22T07:00:00.001-07:00

Illinois farm
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Crossing the Mississippi

2009-05-22T06:59:00.001-07:00

Crossing the Mississippi
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Train Ottumwa Iowa

2009-05-22T06:57:00.001-07:00

Train Ottumwa Iowa
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

After Jerry took this pic he walked back to re-board while I continued taking photos. I didn't hear the last call and nearly got left. Oops!

Town in Nebraska

2009-05-22T06:52:00.001-07:00

Town in Nebraska
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Miles of prairie

2009-05-22T06:51:00.001-07:00

Miles of prairie
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

2009-05-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

We are here in Chicago. I'm posting a few pics from our 2nd day on the train (may not all be in order). Today we are going out to visit my Aunt Sue who still lives near where I did until I was in first grade. I haven't seen her since 1954. We are really excited to see her after all these years.

We had no WiFi for three days so the pics are a little behind where we are. Will try to catch up soon.

Rain on Colorado river

2009-05-21T05:04:00.001-07:00

Rain on Colorado river
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Rockies

2009-05-21T05:03:00.001-07:00

These rock formations were incredible and I missed taking pictures of some of the best. Some looked like faceless Egyptian statues and others (like 3 huge round boulders stacked one upon the other) gave the impression that some giant had been playing along the cliffs.
Rockies
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Cloudy skies Utah

2009-05-21T05:02:00.001-07:00

Cloudy skies Utah
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Nevada desert

2009-05-21T05:01:00.001-07:00

Nevada desert
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Lingering Snow in the Sierras

2009-05-21T04:59:00.001-07:00

Lingering Snow in the Sierras
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Upper Berth Instructions

2009-05-21T04:58:00.001-07:00

Upper Berth Instructions
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

You had to be an acrobat to get into the upper birth. I thought I would be able to watch the night time desert stars. It was more like sleeping in a tanning bed with the lid closed.

Once you're strapped in you sleep like a baby.

E B Barnes MrB

2009-05-20T19:12:00.001-07:00

E B Barnes MrB
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Mr B rules the dining car. He takes all the orders , serves all the drinks and food to 40 people per seating. He takes no prisoners. You better know what you want when he gets to you. He carries trays of food on a rocking train and never misses a beat.

Dining Car

2009-05-20T19:05:00.001-07:00

Dining Car
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

All our meals were -um- OK. Kind of like airline food. I'm saving myself for New Orleans. Each meal you are seated with whomever as there are 4 people to a table. That has been interesting/boring and sometimes downright delightful.

Hmmmm

2009-05-20T18:55:00.001-07:00

Hmmmm
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

We love our little cozy capsule of a "roomette". although it is minus the basin and toilet that was promised. Just as well because it is so tiny that I would feel like I was peeing in the arm rest. It is nice to put your feet up and watch the world go by.

Joyce a Jerry Day 1

2009-05-20T18:53:00.001-07:00

Joyce a Jerry Day 1
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown

Well here we are about to embark on our adventure or as Jeannie calls it "Jerry and Joyce's Big Adventure".

Packed up and bound to go.

2009-05-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

We are down to the wire. We think we are ready. We'll go through a final check list tonight then Rob and Krista will take us to the terminal at Martinez tomorrow AM. There may not be reliable WIFI access until we get to Chicago. We'll try to keep this up to date.

(Please ignore typos. Still getting used to this tiny and super sensitive keyboard.)

image borrowed from Google images