Amtrak's Cardinal and Michigan Trip - Traveling on Amtrak's Cardinal June 16-17

Boarding Amtrak's Cardinal 

Traveling Amtrak's Cardinal Washington, DC, to Chicago June 16-17

Headed to DC's Union Station early Sunday morning to board Amtrak's Cardinal for the 24 hours trip to Chicago through Virginia and West Virginia during the daylight hours and then overnight through Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. The trip was basically on time and we arrived Chicago 10:24 AM Monday morning. It was a pleasant trip with only a couple opportunities to get off the train for a fresh air break notably Charlottesville, VA, and Huntington, WV. We did travel along the New River for a while and I took photos although the windows were not clear and afternoon sun created glaring conditions along the river.  Nevertheless, here are several selected photos from the trip. Remember you can click on the photos to see a full size version.

After arriving in Chicago, my hotel THE WIT Hotel a Doubletree by Hilton already had my chosen room so I checked in and settled in for my three night stay. The photos below are the view of the Chicago River from my 20th floor room.

THE WIT Hotel

I'll post my Chicago activities and selected photos tomorrow.

Amtrak's Cardinal and Michigan Trip - Last Day in DC June 15

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE Korean War Memorial

Last Day In Washington, DC - June 15

Last day in DC, I slept just a little later and then headed to Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. Added to the first two days makes "Reagan" just a bit tired.  As I have revisited these places and memorials I have been to previously, I consciously thought of my parents and bringing them with me late 1970's or early 1980's to visit Williamsburg, VA, Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello, and Washington, DC. In DC, we took a guided tour traveling between sights on a motorcoach and visited the monuments, the Capitol Building inside, and Mount Vernon. Great sentimental memories. I'm so glad I could do that for mom and dad.

Incidentally, my first trip to DC was in 1961 while a college student after working during the summer in Roanoke, VA. My next visit was for three months January through March 1966 while training in the national headquarters for what is now the Federal Highway Administration. As a Federal Employee 1964-1979, I actually visited for business several times and now I come occasionally as a retired senior adult.

The lead photo FREEDOM IS NOT FREE is from the Korean War Memorial. That statement is so true. Visiting Arlington Cemetery brought thoughts of dying to this 77 year old and seeing all the tombstones. I'm hoping if not on my tombstone, there will be the verses Proverbs 3:5-6 associated with me. I do claim them as my life verses. Visiting with Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial I was reminded of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and though President during the Civil War, he respected all persons and did not yield to the evil of slavery. As I leave our nation's capital tomorrow I pray that we can be a nation that honors the theme "One for ALL and ALL for one." 

I've already packed my large suitcase and took it on the light rail to Union Station and checked it for tomorrow's trip. This way I can again use the light rail to go the "one stop" back to Union Station in the morning with my carry on luggage to carry in my roomette on the train with me. That arrangement is just the best for this senior adult's safety. I don't want to make unnecessary falls.

And now for the selected photos of my visits to Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. By the way you can click on the photos to see full size photos.

Thanks for traveling with me via this blog.  Tomorrow night I will be traveling overnight on Amtrak's Cardinal passing through West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio on the way to Chicago. Chicago will be more relaxation time and less sightseeing. Either Monday or Tuesday, I will post several photos of my trip on Amtrak's Cardinal.

Amtrak's Cardinal and Michigan Trip - Surprise Update from Washington DC June 14

Lunch with Amtrak friend John

Surprise Update from Washington, DC, June 14

I know I promised another update tomorrow night June 15 but today had two special events so here is tonight's update. 

First special event was eating lunch with one of my blog subscribers who just happens to be a retiree from Amtrak's headquarters here in DC. My blog now has 97 subscribers and several of them are fellow Amtrak fans whom I have never met. John is one of those subscribers and until he contacted me a few days ago I was not really aware of who he was. He sent me an email suggesting we get together for lunch while I was in DC. He did tell me he had retired from Amtrak about 3 years ago. So I accepted and he picked me up and we had a good time conversing about my Amtrak adventures. That is John in the lead photo above with me. He brought another Amtrak retiree who took the photo for me.

Second special event and really was not planned was a three hour boat ride instead of a planned two hour boat ride.experience. The boat crew told me I did not have to get off the boat when I got to Alexandria since it would return back to The Wharf Waterfront in DC. Well this boat did not return immediately to The Wharf but instead continued on down the Potomac River to the National Harbor adding another hour to my two hour boat ride. Yes, we returned back to the Wharf after making a second stop in Alexandria. So I should have gotten off in Alexandria and taken the next boat that would return to The Wharf in DC. Why do I know that? Well, because the next boat back to DC was waiting for us as we left Alexandria going to National Harbor so that they could pull into the dock to load. And the return ticket's time matched that boat time arriving at the Alexandria dock.

Since that 3 hour boat ride took up the rest of my afternoon, I plan to return to the Old Town Trolley Hop On Hop Off tour tomorrow for a day time visit to the Lincoln Memorial, other nearby memorial areas, and then across the Potomac River to Arlington Cemetery. I will do another update tomorrow night before leaving Sunday morning for my overnight train ride on Amtrak's Cardinal to Chicago. I do an update on the train ride Monday or Tuesday from Chicago.

Here are a few of the photos I took on the way to The Wharf and on my three hour boat ride. 

Thanks for traveling with me via my blog.

Amtrak's Cardinal and Michigan Trip - Washington DC June13

US Capitol

First Day in Washington, DC - June 13

I was up very early this morning and Southwest Airlines got me to DC by 10 AM.  After checking in to the Hilton Garden Inn, I did a little exploring and closed the day taking an evening moon light tour. That was a good beginning to my three day stay in DC.  Here are a few photos from the evening tour.

 Since these were nighttime photos they are not the best but I plan to do more day time touring Friday and Saturday and hope to have a good collection of photos to share with you in my blog update post Saturday night.

Amtrak's Cardinal and Michigan Trip June 13-24 Preview

Amtrak's Cardinal Traveling Through West Virginia

PREVIEW OF JUNE 13-24 TRIP TRAVELING ON AMTRAK'S CARDINAL AND VISIT TO MICHIGAN

In one week June 13 I depart on Southwest Airlines flying to Washington, DC, from where I will travel on Amtrak's Cardinal train to Chicago. From Chicago I will take a regional Amtrak train the BLUEWATER to East Lansing, Michigan, to spend four nights with my nephew Charles and his wife Mary. Actually, I will only spend one night on the train on this trip. I will be spending six night in hotels - three each in Washington, DC, and Chicago - plus four nights with my nephew in Michigan. Charles and Mary have promised to show me a little of Michigan including Michigan State University where Charles is on the faculty and Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. On Monday, June 24, I will ride Amtrak's Bluewater back to Chicago and fly home that night on Southwest Airlines back to Nashville.

The detail itinerary is:

• Hilton Garden Inn US Capitol in DC - June 13-16
• Amtrak's Cardinal - June 16-17
• THE WIT Hotel in Chicago - June 17-20
• East Lansing, MI, with nephew Charles - June 20-24
• Arrive Home in Nashville/Franklin, TN - June 24

I have planned no specific sightseeing in DC or Chicago so I will do a few blog updates with photos surprising you(and me) with what I decided to do and see. I've never ridden Amtrak's Cardinal so that will be new territory for me riding through Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. I will do a blog update covering that ride after I arrive at my hotel in Chicago. And I am looking forward to visiting with Charles and Mary in Michigan so I will do a couple updates from East Lansing, MI.

My next blog update will be after I arrive in DC. Thanks for traveling with me via these updates.

Reagan's Travel Plans for 2019

After returning home June 24, I will be home in Tennessee both July and August before traveling in September to Glacier National Park. Here are the three trips I have planned through the end of 2019.

September 13-24 Glacier National Park Visit and Amtrak's Empire Builder - Flying American Airlines Nashville to Seattle via connecting flights via Dallas/Fort Worth on Friday the September 13. I will stay three nights in Seattle departing Monday, September 16, on Amtrak's Empire Builder overnight arriving at East Glacier Park Station Tuesday morning September 17. I will checkin and stay three nights at the Glacier Park Lodge September 17-20. Will depart East Glacier Station Friday morning September 20 on Amtrak's Empire Builder arriving Chicago Saturday afternoon September 21. Currently planning to stay three nights in Chicago. Will fly home to Nashville September 24.

October 14-23 - My 60th Minden, LA, High School Reunion October 19 - I will be returning to my native Louisiana home to attend my Minden High School 60th Reunion. Also, I will celebrate my 78th birthday while home October 17. All trip details are yet to be determined. Planning to stay with my niece Sandra while home in Louisiana.

December 1-7 Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida - Reservations have been made for the Resort. Transportation and other details yet to be made. Purpose is to visit Disney World and maybe Universal Studios during the Christmas season.

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

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Nashville Zoo April 2019

Tiger Statue at Entrance to New Tiger Crossroads Exhibit
at the Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo April 2019

Today I visited the Nashville Zoo to catch up on three of the newest exhibits opened in last couple of years - Tiger Crossroads, Expedition Peru, and Tree Tops Spider Monkeys.  Tiger Crossroads was just opened in the last two weeks. I like that the Nashville Zoo is opening "educational" exhibits providing a lot of educational information as part of the exhibit as I think you will be able to see in my photos taken today. The three new exhibits are along the jungle trail and my visit today was limited to the jungle trail.

I managed to take over 100 photos and one mini movie today and present them to you in this gallery.  Click the photo or caption to view all the gallery.

Nashville Zoo April 2019

I did not have to travel far to visit the Nashville Zoo although Nashville Music City is favored travel destination for many people.  In fact, our metro area of two million is welcoming estimated 300,000 National Football League(NFL) fans to the 2019 NFL Draft this week.  You can catch the excitement on the NFL Network or ESPN and some ABC stations on your television. Check it out.

After these two blog updates this week, I'll next blog in June as I travel to Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; and East Lansing, Michigan and also ride Amtrak's Cardinal and Blue Water trains.

Reagan's Travel Plans for 2019

I am home until June 13 when I travel to Washington, DC, to ride Amtrak's Cardinal from DC to Chicago and then visit my oldest nephew in East Lansing, Michigan. I have added two trips - one back to Louisiana in October for my 60th high school reunion and one to Orlando, Florida, to visit Disney World. Both are still in the planning stages.

June 13-24 Amtrak's Cardinal and Visit to Michigan - Flying Southwest Airlines to Washington, DC, for three nights followed by my first trip on Amtrak's Cardinal from DC to Chicago.  In Chicago I will stay three nights before traveling June 20 by regional Amtrak train to East Lansing, Michigan, to visit my older nephew Charles and family for four nights. He is a professor at Michigan State University. He has already suggested some exciting day trips we will make. After my visit I will return to Chicago by Amtrak train Monday morning, June 24, and will fly home that night on Southwest Airlines to Nashville.

September 13-24 Glacier National Park Visit and Amtrak's Empire Builder - Flying American Airlines Nashville to Seattle via connecting flights via Chicago on Friday the 13th. I will stay three nights in Seattle departing Monday, September 16, on Amtrak's Empire Builder overnight arriving at East Glacier Park Station Tuesday morning September 17. I will checkin and stay three nights at the Glacier Park Lodge September 17-20. Will depart East Glacier Station Friday morning September 20 on Amtrak's Empire Builder arriving Chicago Saturday afternoon September 21. Currently planning to stay three nights in Chicago. Will fly home to Nashville September 24.

October 19  - My 60th Minden, LA, High School Reunion October 19 - I will be returning to my native Louisiana home to attend my Minden High School 60th Reunion. Also, I will celebrate my 78th birthday while home October 17. All trip details are yet to be determined.

December 1-7 Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida - Reservations have been made for the Resort. Transportation and other details yet to be made. Purpose is to visit Disney World and maybe Universal Studios during the Christmas season.

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

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Trip to Louisiana April 2019

LOUISIANA - The Pelican State

April 2019

Trip to Louisiana to Visit Family - April 1-9

Actually left March 31 and drove home to Louisiana for a ten day trip to visit with my native Louisiana family staying with my niece Sandra and husband Wayne.  While in Shreveport/Bossier City, LA area I visited with my two sisters Shirley and Pat, brother-in-law Bobby, niece Sandra and nephew Mark and their families. Also was able to visit with my great nephew Neil and his family visiting from Seattle, WA. Also was able to celebrate my great niece Cheri's 30th birthday with a genuine Louisiana craw fish boil. Also was able to visit with four other great nieces. Also was able to visit with my good long time friend Todd from Nashville who now lives in the Shreveport area for lunch one day.

My friend Todd and I

Since this was a trip for family time, I did not take photos except for one day with both sisters, my niece and my nephew and their spouse hosted my great nephew Neil and wife Megan and sons Lucas and Isaiah from Seattle to a visit to the Shreveport, LA, riverfront park and a tour of the old waterworks museum in downtown Shreveport. This was the waterworks department dating back into the 1800's that originally served all the city. We concluded the day with a visit to the local Dairy Queen for ice cream.

We celebrated my great niece Cheri's 30th birthday with a craw fish boil. Since it was my first ever craw fish boil, I did take a gallery of IPhone photos to document the cooking of the craw fish and the group gathered to celebrate the occasion.

I updated Reagan's Photo Galleries with two galleries for you to view these two activities.  Click on the photo or caption to view the galleries.

Exploring Shreveport with Family

Craw Fish Boil for Cheri's 30th Birthday

Amtrak One Day Trip on Illinois Regional Trains

After returning from Louisiana, I drove from my home in Nashville to the southern Illinois city of Carbondale and then rode Amtrak's regional trains SALUKI and ILLINI from Carbondale to Chicago and then back to Carbondale Thursday, April 11. While I was in Chicago, I did get to eat a Chicago Char Dog and check out the new remodeled Great Hall in Chicago's Union Station. Click the photo or caption below to view the photo gallery.

Amtrak One Day Trip Illinois Regional Trains

Reagan's Travel Plans for 2019

I am home until June 13 when I travel to Washington, DC, to ride Amtrak's Cardinal from DC to Chicago and then visit my oldest nephew in East Lansing, Michigan. I have added two trips - one back to Louisiana in October for my 60th high school reunion and one to Orlando, Florida, to visit Disney World. Both are still in the planning stages.

June 13-24 Amtrak's Cardinal and Visit to Michigan - Flying Southwest Airlines to Washington, DC, for three nights followed by my first trip on Amtrak's Cardinal from DC to Chicago.  In Chicago I will stay three nights before traveling June 20 by regional Amtrak train to East Lansing, Michigan, to visit my older nephew Charles and family for four nights. He is a professor at Michigan State University. He has already suggested some exciting day trips we will make. After my visit I will return to Chicago by Amtrak train Monday morning, June 24, and will fly home that night on Southwest Airlines to Nashville.

September 13-24 Glacier National Park Visit and Amtrak's Empire Builder - Flying American Airlines Nashville to Seattle via connecting flights via Chicago on Friday the 13th. I will stay three nights in Seattle departing Monday, September 16, on Amtrak's Empire Builder overnight arriving at East Glacier Park Station Tuesday morning September 17. I will checkin and stay three nights at the Glacier Park Lodge September 17-20. Will depart East Glacier Station Friday morning September 20 on Amtrak's Empire Builder arriving Chicago Saturday afternoon September 21. Currently planning to stay three nights in Chicago. Will fly home to Nashville September 24.

October 19  - My 60th Minden, LA, High School Reunion October 19 - I will be returning to my native Louisiana home to attend my Minden High School 60th Reunion. Also, I will celebrate my 78th birthday while home October 17. All trip details are yet to be determined.

December 1-7 Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida - Reservations have been made for the Resort. Transportation and other details yet to be made. Purpose is to visit Disney World and maybe Universal Studios during the Christmas season.

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

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to receive each new blog post to in your email inbox.