Luray Caverns. A popular tourist attraction in Virginia – a short drive from Shenandoah National Park @ Thornton Gap Park Entrance. It is the largest caverns among the set of caverns in Virginia, and a highly recommended visit when in the Shenandoah area. Continue reading Luray Caverns
Part of my itinerary on this weekend trip was to visit the Smoky Mountain National Park. I knew beforehand that I couldn’t hike the beautiful trails in the park after the BFC race. A scenic drive to Clingman’s Dome would be good in lieu of a hike. And of course, I needed to have my National Park Passport stamped with this visit. Saturday. It was sunny, hot, and humid. But I was having ‘fun’ at BFC on this day. Sunday. Remnants of hurricane Florence has now reached the inland and is now in the Tennessese area. It has been raining all day. … Continue reading Smoky Mountain National Park
Aug 11, 2018. Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park Sunset @ 12000 ft On my arrival at Denver International Airport, I drove to Rocky Mountain National Park. Went to Fall River Visitor Center (elevation @ 8250 ft) and took the scenic route, the Trail Ridge Road, to Alpine Visitor Center, the highest point in the park (elevation @ 11796 ft). The scenic drive was, indeed, scenic, and a little nerve racking. It’s single lane on each side of the road, with sheer drops and no guard rails. There are pullout sections to enjoy the views on both sides … Continue reading Sunset @ Rocky Mountain National Park
Neither the most skilled photographer nor the most sophisticated camera can capture the beauty of it. Only you, with your naked eyes, can truly capture the magnificence of this natural wonder. Continue reading Grand Canyon
Everytime I see an elderly couple I can’t help but notice that the man always looks a lot older than his woman. Why? I believe the answer is … … In everyday that they are together, the man takes a day of his life and gives it to his woman so she stays younger as he grows older. … This is also the logical explanation why single men look younger – they get to keep their lives to themselves. … I need a beer. Continue reading Random Thoughts at the Airport
Long distance travel by train may have seen its glory days back in the middle of the century. We are now in an era where travel by air is much preferred by the current generation. Travelling by train, coast-to-coast, was not on my list, until a friend forwarded a post about how financially affordable, and a rewarding experience, it could be. I started scouring the Internet for more information about it, reading blogs shared by people who have done it, and a plan was made to do a coast-to-coast train journey. Some people may find this ridiculous and a complete … Continue reading Coast-To-Coast Train Travel – A Perspective.
Jan 8. Day 16. New York, New York. Here it is, the final stretch of the whole journey – aboard the Lakeshore Limited to New York. Woke up at around 7:30AM EST. Lost 1hr of sleep last night from CST to EST. Breakfast was uneventful – just a quiet solo meal at the table. It would be like this the whole trip – uneventful. The train does not have a lounge. I stayed in my cabin, staring at the window looking for interesting views to see. Before lunch, I took another shower to pass time. Lunch was quiet, dining alone … Continue reading Day 16. Homeward Bound
Jan 7. Empire Builder. Minneapolis to Chicago. Good morning. Woke up at St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN. I was not able to get some good sleep last night. I stayed in bed until we started moving again, so I missed whatever view from a glass window the city of Minneapolis had to offer. By 8AM, forced myself to get up for breakfast. I enjoyed my breakfast with an elderly couple coming home to Chicago from a visit to family in Seattle. It was, again, a very engaging conversation. Headed to the lounge car after breakfast to have a view of the frozen … Continue reading Day 15. Final Day To/At Chicago
Jan 6. Empire Builder. Montana to Minnesota. Good morning. Woke up this morning at Whitefish, MT, with the announcement from the dining crew that breakfast is now being served at the dining car. It’s 7AM and still dark outside. But once awake, there’s no reason to go back to sleep especially when hungry. Heading to the dining car, I saw Erica, our cabin attendant, and asked to undo the bed. Another very attentive-to-your-needs cabin attendant we have on this trip. Sat down with a father-and-daughter duo coming back to Minnesota from a skiing trip in Whitefish. Had a pleasant conversation … Continue reading Day 14. Scenes from Empire Builder
Jan 5. Day 13. Empire Builder – Seattle to Chicago. 3 Days. Today is the start of the journey back home, via the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago on the Northwestern route, followed by the Shoreline Limited from Chicago to New York 2 days after. It’s cloudy, wet, with drizzle in the downtown Seattle area. Had my morning coffee in my room, prepared the bags for today’s trip, showered, and went for a walk and brunch – noodles at the nearby mall food court. Late lunch would be at the same place – again, noodles. The hot noodles make … Continue reading Day 13. Start of the Journey Back Home
