by Bretonrae

Created on: January 31, 2009   Last Updated: December 26, 2009

Rail trips and bus trips around the US

The most fulfilling trip of my life was aboard the Amtrak's California Zephyr in February 2006. Believe it or not my husband was, also, thrilled with this trip from Emoryville, CA all the way to Dearborn, MI even though he has the disability of severe arthritis of both hips. After a flight to our son's home in San Raphael from Taipei, Taiwan on China Airlines, we wanted to get to Michigan near our daughter and her family. We just couldn't stand the thought of another flight and wanted to see the sights across our nation. I looked at the Amtrak online site and finally called a reservation specialist. I would certainly advise persons to make reservations as early as possible and to travel in off months of January or February.

The off season travel guarantees lower fares and that trains aren't overcrowded. The snow scene adds it's timely beauty as well during those months. The helpful Amtrak representative fixed me up with a reservation that included a Senior companion fare for myself as helper of a disabled customer. Our fare included all our meals served on beautiful white damask tablecloths in the dining car. The cuisine was absolutely wonderful! There were many menu choices for each of the meals. What a treat it was to be served aboard the train and enjoy those fine meals together. When my husband didn't feel well enough to get upstairs for a meal now and then, we were served our choices right in our special bedroom.

My husband is wheelchair bound now, but at the time we made this trip he could walk slowly up and down the Zephyr's interior stair and to the Observation car. We were advised that we should obtain a declaration that my husband is disabled from our Physician and present it to Amtrak in order to secure the special bedroom option. Amtrak provided a handicapped room on the lower end of the train that had it's own restroom and a shower right outside including a linen room that had big soft towels for our use. I admit that I had some anxiety that I would not be able to climb to the upper bunk since I was 63 at the time, but it turned out to be very easy and I rested comfortably for the three nights.

My husband was able to sit in his wheelchair and on the day bed while he had use of his own restroom in our bedroom. We spent afternoons and evenings in the Observation car. We have such a beautiful nation! Colorado and really every part of the trip's changing scenes were so interesting aboard that beautiful glass viewing car. Honestly, that has been the highpoint of travel for us and we would love to be able to do this again this coming February. Fine service, comfortable accommodation, wonderful food and beautiful scenery combined with friendly attendants and helpful concessions for the disabled individual make Amtrak tops in travel.

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