So on April 24th, the wife and I boarded the Starlight to Seattle. If you ever want to head up to Seattle, or better yet, fly to Seattle than take the train to L.A. this is the way to do it.
We got a sleeper room, so all food and non-alcoholic drinks are included, it has outlets, bunk beds (top bunk folds up, bottom slides apart to two large seats), climate controls, and a large window (go for the coast side of the train if you head north). Took ~24 hours (we boarded in Emeryville around 10pm, arrived in Seattle around 8:30pm the next day).
Most amazing, relaxing trip. After we pulled out of emeryville we just stared out the window, watching things go by, I thought I would never get to sleep what with the noise, the rocking, the stops, etc. Next thing I know, I'm waking up at 7am, apparently lulled to sleep by the noise and the rocking. We had a relaxing breakfast, mimosas and bloody marys, then went back to our room. The top bunk had been folded up, the bottom was moved into two seats. We sat legs up on the opposite seats, reading, watching rain, then snow, then waterfalls. Next thing I know we are waking up at 1pm to mountainous forest, and rain pelting the window.
This was one trip we were both sad to see come to an end. It wasn't about getting from point A to point B, it was just about being so relaxed, and not really caring when point B would show up.
Spent a great week in Seattle with friends, then I flew out of SEA-TAC on the 30th headed for St. Louis.
I spent the night and the next day with my Ma, packing some things up, some old family weapons, some knick-knacks, a 1955 harley, all into my Dad's truck that he left for me when he passed.
I then proceeded to head out that Saturday morning, my goal was to reach Las Vegas by 3pm on Monday to meet the wife.
The first day was brutal, 585 miles of hell, I was hungover enough to make Roman wince, and was driving through the most boring section of the country, Missouri and Kansas. Entering Kansas I killed some gigantic bird, it was on the side of the road and took off as I came up at 80mph. I hope it was a turkey buzzard, it hit the windshield and the wingspan was wider than that, not a good omen for entering Kansas. I made it as far as Hays, and I was done, there was nothing left, I was nodding off. Found a charming place that was cheap and not entirely a festering rathole. Discovered I had no cell service, and the wifi only worked every other 15 minutes. I had shitty beer, I made the best of it, without the beer I would have pulled a Willy Loman right there in Kansas.
I got up bright and early, ready to get the hell out of this pit, I was determined, my old long-distance skills were coming back. I tore onward, pushed the truck further down towards empty before each stop. Hitting the approach to the eisenhower tunnel I was hitting rain, and goats at 9000 feet. Snow at 10,000, harder snow at 11,000, some sort of rain-blizzard as I topped to 12k then down into more rain. This was much easier in the truck than a carbureted bike with no heated gear.
I had a sudden realization, I would be entering Utah soon, the land of 3.5% beer, and no liquor on Sundays. I made a panic stop in GrandJunction and procured some proper Racer 5 (homesick). I then powered on the Richfield, UT for a 803 mile day.
At least this time my phone worked, because the internet didn't. All the motel doors were scavenged from restrooms, since they all said "Vacant" or "Occupied" depending on the position of the deadbolt. I had racer five, I didn't care.
Final day (after that doesn't count, it was heading home, and only 571 miles), 284 miles of YEEEHAW with 80mph speed limits and knowing I was heading to a Suite at NewYork NewYork and a in-room hottub, tickets to Zumanity the next night, and dinner at Michael Mina.
I have to admit, I was more sore from sitting and driving than I ever have been on ye olde zr-7s or z750. I felt bruised on my sides and back, it was odd.
Well, my haul (only some have photos)
My old Atari 2600 with the storage unit filled with cartridges, my old batman clock, gun rack my grandpa made, my old 69 (IIRC) Schwinn Fastback 3-speed, 1955 Harley Hummer 165 2-stroke, 2006 Ford F150 XL 4x4, some adult bang toys, one of which was made in 1929, was won by by great grandfather in a bar bet, given to my grandpa, given to my dad, given to me.
We got a sleeper room, so all food and non-alcoholic drinks are included, it has outlets, bunk beds (top bunk folds up, bottom slides apart to two large seats), climate controls, and a large window (go for the coast side of the train if you head north). Took ~24 hours (we boarded in Emeryville around 10pm, arrived in Seattle around 8:30pm the next day).
Most amazing, relaxing trip. After we pulled out of emeryville we just stared out the window, watching things go by, I thought I would never get to sleep what with the noise, the rocking, the stops, etc. Next thing I know, I'm waking up at 7am, apparently lulled to sleep by the noise and the rocking. We had a relaxing breakfast, mimosas and bloody marys, then went back to our room. The top bunk had been folded up, the bottom was moved into two seats. We sat legs up on the opposite seats, reading, watching rain, then snow, then waterfalls. Next thing I know we are waking up at 1pm to mountainous forest, and rain pelting the window.
This was one trip we were both sad to see come to an end. It wasn't about getting from point A to point B, it was just about being so relaxed, and not really caring when point B would show up.
Spent a great week in Seattle with friends, then I flew out of SEA-TAC on the 30th headed for St. Louis.
I spent the night and the next day with my Ma, packing some things up, some old family weapons, some knick-knacks, a 1955 harley, all into my Dad's truck that he left for me when he passed.
I then proceeded to head out that Saturday morning, my goal was to reach Las Vegas by 3pm on Monday to meet the wife.
The first day was brutal, 585 miles of hell, I was hungover enough to make Roman wince, and was driving through the most boring section of the country, Missouri and Kansas. Entering Kansas I killed some gigantic bird, it was on the side of the road and took off as I came up at 80mph. I hope it was a turkey buzzard, it hit the windshield and the wingspan was wider than that, not a good omen for entering Kansas. I made it as far as Hays, and I was done, there was nothing left, I was nodding off. Found a charming place that was cheap and not entirely a festering rathole. Discovered I had no cell service, and the wifi only worked every other 15 minutes. I had shitty beer, I made the best of it, without the beer I would have pulled a Willy Loman right there in Kansas.
I got up bright and early, ready to get the hell out of this pit, I was determined, my old long-distance skills were coming back. I tore onward, pushed the truck further down towards empty before each stop. Hitting the approach to the eisenhower tunnel I was hitting rain, and goats at 9000 feet. Snow at 10,000, harder snow at 11,000, some sort of rain-blizzard as I topped to 12k then down into more rain. This was much easier in the truck than a carbureted bike with no heated gear.
I had a sudden realization, I would be entering Utah soon, the land of 3.5% beer, and no liquor on Sundays. I made a panic stop in GrandJunction and procured some proper Racer 5 (homesick). I then powered on the Richfield, UT for a 803 mile day.
At least this time my phone worked, because the internet didn't. All the motel doors were scavenged from restrooms, since they all said "Vacant" or "Occupied" depending on the position of the deadbolt. I had racer five, I didn't care.
Final day (after that doesn't count, it was heading home, and only 571 miles), 284 miles of YEEEHAW with 80mph speed limits and knowing I was heading to a Suite at NewYork NewYork and a in-room hottub, tickets to Zumanity the next night, and dinner at Michael Mina.
I have to admit, I was more sore from sitting and driving than I ever have been on ye olde zr-7s or z750. I felt bruised on my sides and back, it was odd.
Well, my haul (only some have photos)
My old Atari 2600 with the storage unit filled with cartridges, my old batman clock, gun rack my grandpa made, my old 69 (IIRC) Schwinn Fastback 3-speed, 1955 Harley Hummer 165 2-stroke, 2006 Ford F150 XL 4x4, some adult bang toys, one of which was made in 1929, was won by by great grandfather in a bar bet, given to my grandpa, given to my dad, given to me.
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utah.jpg -
theharley.jpg -
thegoat.jpg -
theclock.jpg -
thebeast.jpg -
redneck.jpg -
noidea.jpg -
harleyplate.jpg -
eisenhowertunnel.jpg -
gunrack.jpg
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