Kurosaki's cross country train tour

[Kurosaki]

Hello,

As some have seen in the post whore thread, I had been planning and talking about taking a trip across the country via train a month or more ago. I'm 2 weeks into the trip so far after I decided to actually pull the trigger and do it. Currently in North Carolina right now. I have some down time now (and computer access) to recap parts of the trip.

To preface, I bought an Amtrak 30 day Rail Pass which allows me to book any 12 trains/stops I want over that 30 day period. There's no set schedule or itinerary. It's up to you to figure out where you go and when.

I'm gonna separate each city in a different post(s) based on picture limits.

I started in Los Angeles and made my first stop in San Antonio, Texas; which I'm writing up as soon as I click the submit button for this thread.

 

[Kurosaki]

I got off the train in San Antonio Saturday February 6th around 11PM.

Stopped by a local bar near the train station to relax for a bit while looking up hotels to stay. Met a couple locals and one of the bar tenders in that hour or so. Over our conversation they invited me to come back tomorrow to watch the Super Bowl there. I checked into a hotel nearby and came back to the bar for the Super Bowl party the next day after checking out.

It was kind of a private party but they weren’t turning anyone away if they wanted to come in.

There was free dinner catered via pot luck by all the regulars who each brought a dish. I was sitting by myself for awhile before the people I met the night before got there. This guy comes up to me and asks why I’m sitting by myself. I tell him because I’m from out of town, I don’t know anybody. Someone just invited me to come to the game party. He says well alright, you’re sitting with us now.

Robert and Josephine, the people I met the night before, show up later and I hang out with them too. Budweiser promotion girls were there later in the evening. They were walking around the tables asking if we wanted free complimentary beers. We're like are you fucking kidding me? Of course I want some free fucking beer.

I was supposed to leave that night but the train schedule was messed up and I wasn't able to. Ended up walking around 2-3 miles out of town through some rather shady areas to a cheap motel because I didn't want to pay downtown prices again when I was supposed to be leaving anyway. Probably not the wisest of choices...

I'll elaborate on the next day actually venturing into downtown San Antonio and doing more exploration in the next post.

 

[Lunch Box]

Subscribed. Thanks for taking us along with you. Looking forward to the rest of the journey!

 

[Kurosaki]

After checking out of the shady cheap motel and getting back into downtown, a local recommended I go see the San Antonio River Walk.

I loved this place.

Lots of awesome scenery, restaurants, hotels, apartments, etc along the river. Even a small shopping center and the river flows through there too. I thought it was pretty fuckin cool. I walked along the river for hours and still hadn’t seen everything.

 

[Kurosaki]

After the River walk I did some aimless wandering looking at architecture, people watching, eating some local food, etc.

Visited San Antonio's Wax Museum, took one of those bus tours, got off the bus later, visited the Alamo.

After that, it was about time to start heading back to the train station. I stopped by a different bar near the train station to kill time for a couple hours before I leave.

Had some very good conversation with the bar tender Des, one of the coolest strangers and people I've met in recent times. Too bad we only got to chat for a couple hours before I had to board the next train.

And then I was off around 1AM on my next destination to New Orleans.

Spending most of my time in the lounge car on the way there which wouldn't arrive until the following evening.

 

[ThumperX]

Subscribed!

 

[stan23]

Awesome!! Keep the pics and stories coming!

 

[Blankpage]

I've always wanted to travel across NA by train. Maybe I should do it instead of just thinking about it.

 

[Kurosaki]

My train arrived into New Orleans around 5pm on Feb 9th. Fat Tuesday. A little later than scheduled.

I caught the end of the last parade happening. Had some really awesome seafood at an Oyster Bar. Then decided to go get into some of the Mardi Gras shenanigans.

I took more video than I did pictures during Mardi Gras so excuse the blurriness of these, they are mostly screenshots.

I did get to Bourbon Street but it was so packed, I didn't stay long. I had way more fun in the areas 2-3 blocks away.

I could have gone a little wilder on the partying and craziness but I figured it best to play it a bit safe since I'm in a city far away from home by myself with no one to care for me should I make too many bad decisions or have too many drinks.

I called it an 'early' night(morning?) and proceeded back to the train station to the next destination.

I booked a train to Miami next but for some reason, on that particular day, getting to Miami required a connecting train in Washington DC. I'm not sure what kind of sense it makes to have to get on a train north to go south but it was fine because I planned to visit DC anyway.

That didn't work out... I was supposed to arrive in DC at 9:30AM Thursday morning with my next train leaving at 3PM so I thought I would have some time to explore but we had so many delays, the train didn't arrive until almost 3 hours later. Barely enough time to get off the train, eat something, get my next ticket, and get back on the train. I only stepped outside for a few minutes to take in the fact that I had finally made it from Union Station in LA to Union Station in DC.

Back on the next train from DC to Miami.

 

[two wheel tramp]

I love all the photos of you in the red hat. Like a new "where's waldo?"

:laughing

 

[rodr]

Awesome!

I see a touring bike in your future. Bet you could talk Des into taking a trip with you. :teeth

 

[Hoho]

In! Looks like you are having a blast!

 

[Kurosaki]

Since I'm still awake, I'll do my Miami stories. (My sleeping pattern is all over the place right now)

Miami is the first city I visited where I actually knew someone and I wasn't just doing the lone wolf thing, not that I have a problem with that. I rather enjoy it.

My friend Tony picked me up from the train station. First order or business is he tells me a friend of his is helping a soft opening of a new bar. It was fun, live band playing jazz and oldies music. And I'm never one to turn down free wine and food. I did feel a bit out of place because of all the trendy Miami fashion folk who were there and I was just wearing jeans and a flannel. During the conversation of people I met, someone recommended a bar in South Beach Miami that is a lot cheaper than everywhere else.

So Tony and I go there after. We play pool for a few hours. Choice draft beers for 3 dollars. Meet some people. Tony and I met this couple who wanted to play doubles with us. So we do. The girl had clearly had too much to drink but she was still making lots of shots. Her technique, form, and choice of which shots to take made it pretty clear if she was sober, we probably would have gotten our asses kicked pretty easily.

After we all finish playing pool, Tony tells me there's a food place not far from here and he told me (as did many other of the local Miami people) this place has the best sandwiches in Miami.

It did not disappoint.

After we eat, I ask Tony where Space is because club Space is the stomping grounds of one of my favorite trance producers Markus Schulz, he lives in Miami, DJ's there often and I've heard about it for years. Figured I should go at least see it while I'm here.

So he takes me there, it's already 2 or 3AM in the morning for reference... Very cool place. This was some culture shock because I'm used to bars and clubs in California shutting down at 2 or 3AM unless it's some special occasion.

When Will Smith wrote the lyrics to his song 'Miami' and said, "Party in the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach til the break of dawn." I thought that was just something catchy that rhymed but it's for real. We left around 7am after sunrise, they were still serving drinks and people were STILL being admitted into the club. And apparently that's the way it is there every weekend.

 

[Kurosaki]

The next day in Miami we spent just driving around the city so I can see more of downtown and some residential neighborhoods.

Aesthetically, Miami murders most California downtown skylines. They do a lot of cool things with lighting and illumination of the high rise buildings, restaurants, trees, even a lot of homes look like they're almost ready for Christmas.

We call it an early night since neither of us planned to actually be at a night club til day break.

The next day is Valentine's day. I was supposed to have left but again, train schedules aren't always accurate. He has family business to tend to and a date that night so we agree that it's fine that he just drops me off somewhere downtown and I'll be fine doing my own exploring. I was going to suggest that anyway but didn't want to seem like an asshole as if I didn't want to hang out with him. Anyway.

I roam around Bayside Miami for a bit

I then decide I want to go see more of Miami Beach/South Beach but it's about 7-8 miles from downtown, across the bridge and to Miami Beach. I ponder calling an uber or a cab but then figure I have time to kill so I decide, fuck it. I'll just walk. I ask a police officer if it's okay and legal to walk across the bridge, he says yes, so I go.

Didn't mind the long walk at all. I thought it was exciting and fun. When I finally get over the bridge and walk through a couple miles of residential areas of Miami Beach, I finally get to South Beach. First stop by the sandwich spot I mentioned earlier because I just walked around 10 miles or so. Then go see the beach. Look at a bunch of expensive exotic cars parked all over the place. Check out the strip of hotels and restaurants.

Then I pass by a restaurant/bar with some live music. Some nice sounding tunes. As soon as I walk in, these two ladies demand I dance with them. Clearly I'm not going to turn them down but tell them let me take my sweater off first. Both of them basically strong-arm me and rip my hoodie off and throw it across the room.

I'm pretty much sandwiched between these two women until my friend calls me and tells me he's done with his date and is ready to pick me up. Under other circumstances I probably would have told him to just go home, I'll catch a cab later but I had to be at the train station early in the morning so I tell the women I have to leave.

Wake up early and catch my next train to North Carolina.

This was the emptiest train I've been on so far and it was kind of creepy. I felt like I might be in the Shining and some redrum stuff was about to happen.

 

[Kurosaki]

The time spent on the train is also a great experience, chatting with other passengers. Looking at the view of whichever state I happen to be passing through. I spend a lot of time reading. 1/3 of the weight of my luggage is probably comic books.

And I play cards a lot to pass the time.

 

[jh2586]

Awesome. How are you getting around the cities? Uber/Lyft/Taxi or walk? And are you couchsurfing?

 

[Kurosaki]

Awesome. How are you getting around the cities? Uber/Lyft/Taxi or walk? And are you couchsurfing?

For the cities where I do not know anyone, I do my best to book a train to get into the city in the morning or early afternoon and book the next train out of town late night or very early morning.

And generally I just walk around the cities, even if it's a bit far to get to any particular destination.

I may change my plans and go to New York next and will try to schedule my trains in and out in that fashion to avoid needing a hotel or motel.

The seating on regular coach train cars is similar to an airplane but better. Seats recline further and there is a lot more space in front of you, plus footrests. It's not too uncomfortable to sleep on the train.

 

[Kurosaki]

I bring my own food on the train to cut down on spending. Fruits that don't go bad too quickly, lunchables, subway sandwiches or chipotle burritos from the previous city, bring my own booze. Things like that

There's no TSA security to get on the train like a plane so you can pretty much bring whatever you want in your carry on. The train staff don't care that you have your own food either. On some trains, if you're nice enough the cafe attendant will let me use the microwave for my own food if no one else is around even though they're not supposed to.

Food, beer, wine, etc on the train is very expensive. I'd be spending a ton of money if I didn't come prepared to be on any given leg of the trip on the train for 20-30 hours.

 

[byke]

Super fun thread! You are an interesting character, and I mean that in a really good way.

 

[GAJ]

Very interesting thread.

Thank you.