Headed North

We backed out of the driveway, and we realized we were not thinking about the same train station! Thankfully, we sorted that out quickly! It was about an hour drive. I wasn't expecting it, but she brought her adult son with her on the drive. It was a pleasant drive, and I overshared again! The topic of conversation just seems to drift into parts of my life that I don't mind talking about even though they can be troubling for others to hear. I always feel the need to explain the circumstance because without the narrative, the other person may assume a scenario one way-the wrong way!

Anyway, we arrived at the train station and unloaded the suitcases. As I was headed up the walkway, the son handed me back a $20, I declined but he insisted! I gratefully accepted the bill, and went into the station. When the agent checked the weight of my checked bag, it was over by about 1.6 lbs. Then she asked if there was food in the bag which there was food for the 11th - 16th! I misunderstood that food could not be in the checked back, and I wasn't sure I had any room in the carry on! I removed my blanket, and the food fit perfectly! Crisis averted!

After all the baggage was labeled and my ticket printed and discussed, I noticed I had a phone call o n the blog line. It was Mary Lou explaining why she gave me the $20 back. She was very generous, and told me she would wait for a bit at the train station. I gave her a call back, and thanked her again for her generosity! I am very humbled that a stranger offered to help me out of the goodness of their heart.

The train was nearly an hour late. During this delay, I met a 76 year old man going to Las Vegas in a sleeper car. He highly recommended a sleeper car and suggested I go upgrade. Unfortunately, the USA Rail Pass cannot be upgraded! Another man, around Kevin's age, was headed home to see his Mother for Mother's Day! Very thoughtful! I also told him I had an extra bedroom if he wanted to live close to The Villages! There was a family headed to Chicago with three kids, The youngest sadly said, "I miss Grandma." It made me wonder if I will have that impression on my own Grandchildren.

Once boarded, I sat in my assigned seat next to a man that was looking at his phone. I bothered him long enough to tell him to tell me to be quiet if I bother him too much. We started chatting closer to his stop. He was on the train for a work related reason. It was really a pleasant conversation that I hated to see end when we pulled into the station! I got off the train and stretched a bit until all the new passengers boarded. I went back to my seat, and realized time was going by very quickly!

I didn't have a seatmate for some time, so I ate my Wednesday rations, and contemplated what I should do. next. I jumped off the train right quick at the last stop. Chatted with the guy I met at the first station for a few. When I re-boarded the train, a seatmate had arrived! A college Junior majoring in Elementary Education. She was really nice and appears really talented and ambitious! I think she will be amazing in any field life takes her. I decided it was time to write, so here I am typing away.

As of this writing, I have been on the train for about 10 hours-away from home about 14 hours. I have also now been awake for 31 hours and the darkness has faded as the sun rose! I do not know who or what the next 24 hours will bring, but I am ready to find out!

To be continued: On Route to Chicago!