This was my first trip on a US train and I loved it. My husband Jesse and I had become old pros on the trains in Europe, but a childhood experience left him refusing to ever ride the rails back home. I on the other hand harbored a burning passion to give Amtrak a try. In June I got my chance.
My mother JJ, who lives in Arlington, over three hours from our small farm in East Texas, was hospitalized. We tried driving back and forth for a time, but with gas prices so insanely high this was not an option for long.
When it came time for me to head back to Rose Creek Farm, I got a ticket on the Texas Eagle from Fort Worth to Longview. My daughter Traci waited at the station with me, even through the hour-plus delay of my train's arrival.
Once aboard, it was pure joy. I met several wonderful seat-mates from different parts of the US — some first-timers and some seasoned riders. While there were a few more delays, the journey itself was all that I could have hoped for. The crew was superb. You felt like they actually cared about each and every traveler. I also opted to treat myself to the Dining Car — what a delight. Great staff, fun and interesting companions, and delicious food.
Next month I'm going back to the big city and bringing my mother out to our farm for a few weeks. Guess what? We're going on the Texas Eagle, into Marshall this time.
One of the "must-do's" on my life list is to travel cross-country to California to visit our son Tony and his family. And by the way, I was so excited to notice that one of my favorite authors, Susan Branch, travels by train frequently.
Now if I can just get Jesse to join me — it's a great way to travel. The romance of the rails lives on, with an abundance of thanks to y'all.
The Journey Back to Rose Creek Farm
Homeward Bound
by Kat Fry
Jefferson, Texas
This was my first trip on a US train and I loved it. My husband Jesse and I had become old pros on the trains in Europe, but a childhood experience left him refusing to ever ride the rails back home. I on the other hand harbored a burning passion to give Amtrak a try. In June I got my chance.
My mother JJ, who lives in Arlington, over three hours from our small farm in East Texas, was hospitalized. We tried driving back and forth for a time, but with gas prices so insanely high this was not an option for long.
When it came time for me to head back to Rose Creek Farm, I got a ticket on the Texas Eagle from Fort Worth to Longview. My daughter Traci waited at the station with me, even through the hour-plus delay of my train's arrival.
Once aboard, it was pure joy. I met several wonderful seat-mates from different parts of the US — some first-timers and some seasoned riders. While there were a few more delays, the journey itself was all that I could have hoped for. The crew was superb. You felt like they actually cared about each and every traveler. I also opted to treat myself to the Dining Car — what a delight. Great staff, fun and interesting companions, and delicious food.
Next month I'm going back to the big city and bringing my mother out to our farm for a few weeks. Guess what? We're going on the Texas Eagle, into Marshall this time.
One of the "must-do's" on my life list is to travel cross-country to California to visit our son Tony and his family. And by the way, I was so excited to notice that one of my favorite authors, Susan Branch, travels by train frequently.
Now if I can just get Jesse to join me — it's a great way to travel. The romance of the rails lives on, with an abundance of thanks to y'all.