Blog 801 En Route from Seattle  to Chicago by Amtrak.

This has to be yet another trip of a lifetime.  Yesterday, I settled into my travelling accommodation and was thankful for the space my room has to offer.  However, when the lower bed is made up, the space in front of the wash basin is tiny, making washing/shaving a bit of work of art!  I slept fairly well last night despite the motion of the train, people getting on in the middle of the night and conversation rousing me from my hard to achieve slumbers.   Nevertheless,  I feel quite rejuvenated today.  The good scenery is now left for hopefully another day, and as lunchtime approaches, the landscape is flat and cultivated with an occasional crop of hills on the horizon.   I am seeing this vast country first hand, and it remains a wonderful experience. 

What I didn’t realise is that much of where we have travelled through today is now part of a huge oil and fracking industrial complex.   I’m sure these fairly recent developments were met with protest, but as explained to me, jobs and prosperity have been created.  I was interested in what was being pointed out as we sped by.  

I am beginning to get to know one or two of my fellow travellers.  Believe it or not, a couple from the south of England who have not only heard of Buxton, but enjoy visiting the town are, like me are travelling to Chicago having enjoyed an Alaska cruise from Seattle, and are spending time  in Chicago.  And I joined two celebrating their anniversary from  Oregon for lunch, and later for dinner.

I am enjoying riding the Empire Builder as well as its facilities. Of course, I am reminded of pre-mortgage days when, with very generous assistance from Mum and Dad, I was able to join the North America Rail Study Group for two of their three visits to the USA and Canada in 1969 and 1971, the very month Amtrak was created.  Those two journeys remain trips of a lifetime; they certainly were 53 and 51 years ago. 

Much of the day was grey and wet, so much so that I didn’t spend too much time off the train at the various twenty minute breaks for fresh air. However, the skies have cleared for the early evening and perhaps a second glorious sunset is assured. The flat countryside remains pleasant and far from tedious.  (18.18 hrs MT).  But the vastness of these  seemingly flat lands is awesome.  We are around 40 minutes late as we approach Williston ND.  Ye Gods…I am seeing the sky over North Dakota!  I am told there’s more scenery to enjoy here. It’s hard to hear the on-train announcements in the Observation Car, over the general hubbub of conversation of passengers, either with each other, or on their mobile phones.  Williston is on Central Time, but dinner will still be served Mountain Time.  I will then advance my watch an hour shortly afterwards.

It’s time for some sleep. Many thanks for reading, David, 23.02hrs CT, BST -6.