Merry Christmas 2017! Travel Plans for 2018.

Merry Snowman Christmas!

Merry Christmas! As you celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus my wish for you is blessedness and happiness.  Take one of these days of the holiday season to do that one thing that makes you happy.  

As most of my blog readers know, because Amtrak removed the sleeper car I was assigned to, I cancelled my December Amtrak trip on the California Zephyr. To turn that unhappiness into happy, I did travel to New Orleans December 4-8 for a brief visit. My outdoor activities were limited when the last three days were rainy and cold for New Orleans. So I headed to Canal Place Cinemas and viewed MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS to get my "train fix". Due to the weather I just took a few photos so have not uploaded a photo gallery.  Instead, here are a few photos. Incidentally, the cruise ship photo was just before a heavy rain storm began.

Hotel Christmas Tree

Santa's Workshop with Snowmen in the Hotel

Reagan on Mississippi River

Guide Boat on the Mississippi River

Norwegian Dream at Dock in New Orleans

2018 Travel

Here is hoping you find happiness in the New Year 2018. For me, my happiness comes from serving fifth graders and worshiping Jesus at church and traveling. Continuing my love of rail travel, I have planned three rail travel trips.

February 2018 Amtrak and Via Rail Trip - February 1-17, I travel three Amtrak long distance trains, the Capital Limited, California Zephyr, and Coast Starlight beginning in Washington, DC, with overnight stays in Washington, DC, Chicago, Emeryville(San Francisco) CA, and Seattle.  Leaving Seattle February 13, I will travel Amtrak's Cascades train to Vancouver, Canada, to board Via Rail's THE CANADIAN for a four night trip across Canada to Toronto arriving sometime Saturday February 17. After two nights in Toronto, I fly American Airlines home to Nashville February 19. 

April 2018 Amtrak Trip - April 2-21, I'll be traveling on my favorite Amtrak trains City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr to visit New Orleans, Seattle, Emeryville(San Francisco), and Chicago. Planning hotel stays in New Orleans, Seattle, Emeryville, and Chicago.  Will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans and fly home on American Airlines from Chicago.

June 2018 Amtrak Trip - June 3-23, I'll travel Amtrak's Crescent, Cardinal, Empire Builder, and Coast Starlight visiting New Orleans, New York City, Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles.  Will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans and then fly American Airlines Los Angeles to Nashville. Excited to visit New York City friends and attend Broadway's DEAR EVAN HANSEN.  

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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Travel Plan Changes - December 2017 Amtrak Trip Cancelled - February 2018 Amtrak and Via Rail THE CANADIAN Trip Added

Via Rail's Canadian at Station in Jasper

Trip on Via Rail's Canadian Replaces December Amtrak Travel Plans

Amtrak's sudden removal of the sleeper car I was to travel on from Chicago on December 9 to Reno and return on December 14 and their unsatisfactory reassignment of my roomette led me to cancel my December Amtrak trip plans. Amtrak did refund my payment in award points and dollars fully since it was their decision. I cancelled knowing that I already have future reservations to travel Amtrak in February and April so far in 2018. And those reservations are for my favorite roomette in the primary sleeping car which would be removed only by cancellation of the train entirely. I will still fly to and from New Orleans for the week of December 4-8.

Cancellation of the December Amtrak trip is now replaced by travel plans for February which I am just now announcing to you - a trip across Canada on Via Rail's The Canadian train which I booked after I found I would receive 50% discount on sleeper fares based on my previous travel to Halifax on Via Rail this calendar year.  

Amtrak Cross Country and Via Rail THE CANADIAN Trip February 3-19, 2018

I am excited to be traveling on Amtrak and Via Rail for a Winter Rail Trip across the USA Washington, DC, to Emeryville(San Fran), CA, and then Emeryville to Vancouver to ride Via Rail's THE CANADIAN across Canada Vancouver to Toronto.

Thursday, February 1 - Fly SWA to Washington Reagan National Airport. Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol.

Friday, February 2 - In Washington, DC, at Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol.

Saturday, February 3 - Board Amtrak's Capitol Limited at Washingon's Union Station for trip to Chicago.

Sunday, February 4 - Arrive Chicago and overnight at Doubletree The Wit Hotel.

Monday, February 5 - Board Amtrak's California Zephyr in Chicago for trip to Emeryville, CA.

Tuesday, February 6 - On board Amtrak's California Zephyr traveling across Colorado and Utah.

Wednesday, February 7 - Arrive Emeryville late afternoon for three nights at the Hyatt House Hotel.

Thursday-Friday, February 8-9 - In Emeryville(San Francisco) at Hyatt House Hotel.

Saturday, February 10 - Day in Emeryville before boarding Amtrak's Coast Starlight late evening traveling Emeryville to Seattle, WA.

Sunday, February 11 - Aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight arriving Seattle, WA, in evening for 2 nights at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Monday, February 12 - Day and overnight in Seattle, WA, at Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Tuesday, February 13 - Travel Amtrak's Cascades Train early morning north to Vancouver, CANADA, arriving midday. After an afternoon in Vancouver, I board Via Rail's THE CANADIAN for an 8:30 PM departure on a four night trip across Canada.

Wednesday-Friday, February 14-16 - On board Via Rail's THE CANADIAN traveling through Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Sioux Lookout, and Sudbury to Toronto. 

Saturday, February 17 -Scheduled morning arrival in Toronto. This train can be as much as 9 to 12 hours late or longer due to single rail and freight train priority. For this reason, I will be staying 2 nights at Toronto's Intercontinental Hotel next the rail station and also the express rail station for the train to Toronto International Airport. 

Sunday, February 18 - In Toronto at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Monday, February 19 - Fly American Airlines to Nashville via Charlotte, NC.

I last traveled THE CANADIAN across Canada in April 2002 and I have included two photos from that trip here. If you "click" on the photos or photo captions you will be connected to my photo gallery of the 2002 trip. Traveling this February I am looking forward to a much different Winter trip experience with lots of snow and frigid temperatures.

My Sleeper Car on THE CANADIAN April 2002

THE CANADIAN in the the Canadian Rockies April 2002

Future 2018 Travel

April 2018 Amtrak Trip - April 2-21, 2018, I'll be traveling on my favorite Amtrak trains City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr to visit New Orleans, Seattle, Emeryville(San Francisco), and Chicago. Planning hotel stays in New Orleans, Seattle, Emeryville, and Chicago.  Will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans and fly home on American Airlines from Chicago.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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Albuquerque 2017 International Balloon Festival October 4-14 -- Photo Galleries Updated

Albuquerque 2017 International Balloon Fiesta Mass Ascension

October 4-14 - Amtrak's Southwest Chief to Albuquerque 2017 International Balloon Fiesta

What an awesome experience is the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM. Invited by Tom and Nancy Anderson of Albuquerque, I traveled to the Fiesta on Amtrak's Southwest Chief and enjoyed five days in Albuquerque followed by four days in Las Vegas, NV. As you can tell from the photos I took, the Balloon Fiesta is so awesome words cannot describe it. So, thank you, Tom and Nancy for inviting and hosting me. I had a blast.

All my photos have been updated to my photo galleries and are ready for you to view. All the photos are located in my sub folder October 2017 Amtrak Southwest Chief to Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. You can click the sub folder title to view all the galleries.

There are seven galleries which can be viewed by clicking on the photo and captions below:

Amtrak's Southwest Chief Chicago to Albuquerque

RailRunner to Santa Fe, NM

Albuquerque 2017 Balloon Fiesta Mass Ascension

Bandelier Indian National Monument

Albuquerque 2017 Balloon Fiesta Evening Glow

Old Town Albuquerque and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Las Vegas Caesar's Palace

Last 2017 Travel

December 4-17 Amtrak California Zephyr Trip -- Will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans for four days and then ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans and California Zephyr from New Orleans through Chicago to Reno, Nevada. After three days in Reno, I'll return on Amtrak California Zephyr to Chicago for one night and then fly home on American Airlines. Best thing is not much money required and good amount of train time(five nights).

2018 Travel

April 2-21, 2018, I'll be traveling on my favorite Amtrak trains City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr to visit New Orleans, Seattle, Emeryville(San Francisco), and Chicago. Planning hotel stays in New Orleans, Seattle, Emeryville, and Chicago.  Will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans and fly home on American Airlines from Chicago. 

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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October 10-14 - Las Vegas, NV

Fountains of Bellagio

Early Tuesday morning my friend Tom picked me up from my hotel in Albuquerque and delivered me to the airport for my short flight to Las Vegas.  These past days in Las Vegas have been sorta relaxing since I still did a lot of walking and attended three shows.  One more show to go and it is the farther-est from my hotel Caesar's Palace.  The Chris Angel Show is at the Luxor quite a distance by foot from here but I'll make use of the Las Vegas Monorail to shorten the trek. 

I've not taken my camera with me these days in Las Vegas thus no daily photos or blog updates. However, I did take these photos from my room in the Augustus Tower of Caesar's Palace - Quite Impressive!

Very early tomorrow 5 AM Super Shuttle will pick me up to take me to the airport for my flights home through Los Angeles with a 50 minute connection window. If all goes well I should arrive Nashville International around 4 PM. Next adventure will be in December 4-14 to New Orleans and then Amtraking on the City of New Orleans and the California Zephyr to Reno, NV, and return to Chicago for overnight and flight home to Nashville.

I'll do a blog post to let you know when all the photos are updated an up. The Balloons Fiesta was awesome and I have hundreds of photos to share.

Last 2017 Travel

December 4-17 Amtrak California Zephyr Trip -- Will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans for four days and then ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans and California Zephyr from New Orleans through Chicago to Reno, Nevada. After three days in Reno, I'll return on Amtrak California Zephyr to Chicago for one night and then fly home on American Airlines. Best thing is not much money required and good amount of train time(five nights).

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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October 9 - Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Entrance

After an exciting weekend of Balloon Fiesta activities, today was a more restful last day in Albuquerque. Tom picked me up at 11 AM and we went to the Indiana Pueblo Cultural Center here in Albuquerque for lunch and then to visit the museum. Now I am back in my room resting and packing up for my flight to Las Vegas, NV, tomorrow morning. Tom will pick me up 6 AM and take me to the airport for my flight.

Here are selected photos visiting the Pueblo Cultural Center.

Thanks, Tom and Nancy Anderson, for a super fantastic awesome experience visiting Albuquerque and the 2017 International Balloon Fiesta. 

Tomorrow morning I fly to Las Vegas on Southwest Airlines for four nights at Caesar's Palace and a little slower pace with only the four theater shows each evening as must do activities.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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October 8 - Old Town Albuquerque and Balloon Fiesta Glow

Reagan at Albuquerque 2017 Balloon Fiesta Glow

Another full fun day with the Andersons - Lunch at Church Street Restaurant in Old Town, theater "The Addams Family" this afternoon, and the Balloon Fiesta Glow tonight. Tired but thankful for a great experience these five days in Albuquerque.

This morning after I woke up I saw today's mass ascension from my hotel room. Here is that photo.

The Andersons then picked me up around 10 AM to visit Old Town Albuquerque to eat lunch at Church Street Restaurant. While waiting to be seated we were entertained by a Marimba Band. Nancy joined them in playing for us. After lunch we went to the Albuquerque Little Theater to attend the musical, "The Addams Family". Here are photos from Old Town.

Later after a short time at the Anderson's apartment, Tom and I returned to the International Balloon Fiesta Glow where the balloons are tethered and allowed to glow after dark. Here are my selected photos from over 80 I took.

More of a leisurely day planned for tomorrow. Here is a video Tom made at the glow tonight.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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October 7 - Mass Ascension Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2017

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Theme Balloon

Mass Ascension to open the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta was cause to be picked up by Tom Anderson 4:30 AM. We parked in a remote parking area and rode shuttle bus to the Fiesta Park. The mass ascension begins at sunrise and was simply awesome. We will attend the evening Glow Sunday evening.

After the mass ascension Tom and I drove to visit Jemez National Historic Landmark. It includes the stone ruins of a 500 year old Native American village. I'll include photos of this visit in my galleries after I return home. After this mid day road trip we returned to the Andersons for a home cooked meal. Thank, Nancy, for a delicious meal. Here is a photo of Nancy and Tom in front of her new Fall decorations on the fireplace mantle. 

Nancy and Tom Anderson, my hosts in Albuquerque

I took over 150 photos at the mass ascension which I will add to Reagan's Photo Galleries after I return home to Nashville/Franklin. I narrowed the photos to the ones below as well as the top photo above for this blog update.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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