Riding the Rails: We Love It

All Aboard! Next time, take the train. (North Palm Beach Life Photos)

View of the Washington
Monument from our window

RELATED: Riding the Rails: Taking the Amtrak from West Palm to New York

When we need to get to New York, and it's not a rush, our first choice is Amtrak. Which surprises most people, and even shocks a few.

"You can do that?" they ask. "I had no idea. But why would you want to?"

Why indeed. It's definitely slower -- around 25 hours from the West Palm Beach station, if all goes smooth (and it usually doesn't). It's more expensive. Get a sleeper and you could pay as much as two or three times what a flight would cost.

For us, there are several reasons:

• We hate flying. We've done a LOT of flying, both national and international. Maybe a million miles worth betwen us. Over the years, we've seen it evolve from an upscale experience to a miserable endurance contest. Getting to the airport, never-ending security lines, flight delays, crammed like sardines into smaller-and-smaller spaces, extra charges for every item you take onboard, obnoxious passengers ... the list goes on and on and on. No thanks.
• Relax and enjoy the scenery. We live in a beautiful country. The train lets you take it all in. Or you can read a book, play games (they do have WiFi) or Heaven forbid, turn off your electronic devices and meditate. 
• Meet interesting people. We rarely take a train trip when we don't make new friends. One reason -- the dining car has communal seating, so you're often breaking bread with someone new. On past trips we've met former CIA agents as well as longtime workers on Broadway.
• We love trains. Maybe the number one reason. Whether its Amtrak, Brightline or a high-speed train running from London to Paris through the Chunnel, we just like the idea of riding the rails. Maybe it's the romantic in us, who knows?

Many years ago, we had our first big train adventure. Amtrak was running a special promotion -- unlimited travel between three designated zones across the country. We thought, why not? So we booked travel that took us from Fort Worth, Texas to Chicago; Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief; Los Angeles to Seattle on the Coast Starlight; Seattle to Chicago on the Empire Builder, then back to Fort Worth. We covered some 8,500 miles in two weeks. We were hooked.

Later this year, we are scheduled for another "big train adventure." Stay tuned for that one.

We are the first to admit train travel isn't for everyone. You have to have a lot of patience, and time. The sleepers are adequate, but don't expect a hotel room. The close quarters could trigger a little claustrophobia, but nothing like being squeezed onto a jet. And for the "slow" factor -- couldn't you say the same thing about driving a car cross country?

Let's face it: If you travel , there are going to be glitches, whether by car, bus, train or plane. Try to relax and as our boy Steve Winwood says, "roll with it, baby." 

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The Dining Car -- if you get a sleeper, meals are included