Amtrak and Via Rail Train Trip - February 1-19, 2018 - Preview

Via Rail's CANADIAN in the Rockies

Amtrak Cross Country and Via Rail THE CANADIAN Trip February 1-19, 2018

Just one week until I fly to Washington, DC, to begin my ambitious across the USA and then back across Canada rail adventure. 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. I have moved up my beginning date to February 1 with two nights in Washington, DC, to allow for Winter time flight delays getting from Nashville to DC. By doing this, I have now made plans while in DC to visit with long time Nashville friends Carolyn and Wayne Jenkins who now live in Alexandria, VA, in the DC Metro area. Carolyn was my youth minister at First Baptist Church, Nashville, for most of the years I taught 10th grade Bible Study. She and Wayne are now on the staff of First Baptist, Alexandria, VA. 

In addition to riding Via Rail's CANADIAN pictured above, I will also ride Amtrak's Capitol Limited, California Zephyr, and Coast Starlight. Here are photos of those trains.

Capitol Limited in Cumberland, MD

California Zephyr departing Denver, CO

    

California Zephyr in Gore Canyon, Colorado

Coast Starlight passing Mt Shasta in Northern California

Here is the updated itinerary for my trip.

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.

2018 Travel

I have planned two more rail travel trips and one trip to visit my Louisiana home.

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.

May 2018 Louisiana Home Trip - Currently planning trip to my Louisiana home to visit with family and attend high school graduation of Sadie Young, daughter of long time Tennessee friends Todd and Amy Young. The Young's now live in Stonewall, Louisiana. Detail travel dates yet to be determined.

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.  

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

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