Vacation - Part 1: The Train

When I was around three, my parents took the train to Chicago. I remember is fondly. So fondly that I continued to enjoy taking the train every chance I got, from Europe, to DC & NYC, from the high speed train from Geneva to Paris to the commuter rail in Jersey. So I was super excited about our trip. We got a roomette, something that was new for me, since we thought it would be good to contain M if needed. Here are the pro's/con's/things I've learned.

Pro's -

• Sleeper cars come with all meals included in the dining car, round trip, three free meals, including the kid who was free for the trip
• Dinner in the diner car is pretty good, we had steak and a good dessert.
  
• The sleeper berths are long enough for A to lay down on them.
  
• The train is contained, and does allow for some walking around
• There are cows out the train windows, cows go mmmooo!
• There is also lots of water out the windows, and we love the water
• After struggling to fall asleep on the train, toddlers love the rocking motion
• Have I mentioned the amazing views?
• It sure beats what I am sure would have been a 12 hour trip by car (have to stop to run around some)
• My friend's suggestions about small wrapped gifts was a life saver.
  

Con's -

• The sleeper berths are not wide enough for A to move if he is laying down
• The food is just OK for breakfast/lunch
  
• The train is not good for steady walking, and when you're already unsteady, it can be hard.
  
• The train is contained, you're stuck
• The train is party central for old people who drink too much and talk loudly when your toddler is sleeping
• The old men need to sit when they pee, cause their aim sucks
• Flushing is NOT optional in shared space (at home I try to conserve water and not flush every time)
• After three days on the tracks, all of the above lack of aim gets a little nasty on the floor
  

Just Stuff -

• The train can be affordable if booking early. Family/Deluxe rooms fill first, and are harder to get. A roomette is good for two adults (shorter is better) and a toddler, but maybe only for naps, overnights would have been hard.
  
• We will take the train again. When M is older and can sit still some more. By then we won't fit in a roomette, so we will either do coach, or hopefully be able to afford a larger room.
  
• The tall Dennis who works the Empire Builder is totally cool and fun. (though M was scared of him) the other older Dennis is kind of a pill.
  
• Union Station in DC is still my favorite train station (Grand Central in NYC is second). Chicago isn't comparable.