On this train and the next I had quite the ordeal trying to figure out the baggage claim. How many bags was I allowed, etc. The train from San Diego to San Luis Obispo allowed me just to roll my bicycle on which I enjoyed. I believe all trains should allow roll-on bicycle service! I kept most of my bags with me. I think I had to check my panniers though. I was able to check 2 bags plus have my carry-ons. I kept my tent, backpack, and handlebar bag with me. As I boarded the train with my bike I guess I looked a little nervous. There was one other guy with a bike there who looked at me and spoke up, "This is how it works: These seats are for the disabled so if they need it, we have to move and go above. Every now and again, one of us will come down to check on our bikes." I guess it is not uncommon for people to board the train, steal a bike and leave when the train stops at the stations. He had told me a story of this happening to a buddy of his.
Well this wasn't a very long train ride and I had a warmshowers contact in SLO to pick me up at the station. His name was Justin Russo. He was a mechanical engineering student. He and his buddy and business partner picked me up in his truck and drove me to his place. There was some leftover pizza in the frig that I snagged and some cookies. He was a very nice fellow. They had some business to do and left me to rest and recharge. Justin was going to be gone in the morning so he told me just to lock the door behind me as I left. My train the following day wasn't until later so I had time to sleep and then explore a little bit. But there wasn't must exploring going on because I knew I had to box my bike and find a big enough bag to fit both my panniers and sleeping bag in. I was only allowed 2 checked bags and one of those was going to be my bike. But I will worry about that in the morning. Now it's shut-eye.
August 7 (San Luis Obispo to SLO Amtrak via Mission Thrift & Flanders Bicycle, 5.58 miles) - Luckily Justin lived just a mile or so from the SLO Amtrak station. Therefore I didn't have far to ride. I packed my bike, snagged a few more cookies for the road and grabbed a coffee somewhere. Thanks to Google, I found a thrift store nearby Flanders Bicycle where I went to box up my bike for a fee. I was all new to this so I didn't want to take any chances being an amateur. It would take some time for them to box the bike up so I took off for Mission Thrift. I browsed their collection of random bags and such and finally found one that may be suitable enough and big enough for my bags. It only cost about $4.00 and I thanked God for this worry lifted off my chest. My plan was to make it to Klamath Falls by train so I can ride the rest of the way home. It was cheaper to do this as well as offered more adventure. I picked up my bike box from Flanders Bicycle and one of the guys offered to drive it to the station for me. That was a pleasant surprise! I got to the station with plenty of time. I went up to the counter many times with my questions and worry haha. The lady assured me that I would be okay. It will be fine sir! You are alright. I tend to worry about these things too much. Were they going to kick me off the train? Would my tent count as a carry-on? Ahh, what will happen? I just want to be safely in K-Falls. Little did I know that wouldn't be for some time! The train was scheduled to arrive at 6:00pm for an overnight trip and arrive in K-Falls the next morning. Well, it didn't arrive until almost 3 hours later from LA. Well..Amtrak was to be my home for next 24 hours...better get used to it...try to sleep, find some food in my bags, snap some pictures, write in my journal, think about life.
August 8 (Amtrak Train from SLO to Klamath Falls, 00.00 miles) - I am still on the train. Imagine that. This has got to be some sort of record...every hour the train is delayed even more. I've tried to get some shut-eye, but you know how trains are - yelling kids, grandmas moaning in their sleep, Amtrak staff radios, etc, etc...not to mention the uncomfortable coach seats. At least my seat mate got off in San Jose. He was a young Korean man who kept to himself and I to myself. I can now stretch out at least and try to get some sleep. One time after being stopped for quite sometime, the conductor got on the intercom to insult our intelligence saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are currently stopped." Wow - you had to say that didn't you? Get us on a freakin' train that works. How about that? The train was suppose to leave at about 6:00pm for an overnight trip and arrive in Klamath Falls at about 8 the next morning. The train was almost 3 hours late arriving from Los Angeles with some engine trouble. After we boarded the train, the train moved forward about 10 minutes until it stopped for about 2 hours straight. The conductors/Amtrak staff were trying to let people know what was going on. We had to wait for another train, another locomotive to help push us over a hill, add to that more engine trouble and you've got some irritated passengers. Some were getting angry.
(On this train leg, something unexpected did happen. A friend from high school sent me a message asking if I was open to meeting a friend of hers. She didn't know if I had a girlfriend or not. I didn't, still don't. So I said, sure why not. She was a teacher as well. So I contacted her and we talked back and forth a few times via text messaging. This started on the train and continued later on my ride through central Oregon. I was a little excited because hey, it's a girl and she seemed lovely. However, not to get your hopes up, but when I did return home I asked if she wanted to get together and meet. But basically, she told me no. So...there you have it. All I wanted to do was get some coffee or something. What's the harm in that? Oh, people...this wasn't the first time someone tried to set me up with a single friend. Until next time...)
Okay, we're moving again - at least we're going somewhere. What's really annoying is that every half hour or so they announce to the whole train that if you have a reservation for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc...at varying times please proceed to the dining car and join us. We'll be happy to welcome you. We will seat you. And if that wasn't enough, every five minutes they remind us. Grrrr. It's quite annoying for someone like me with no reservation and no food. That's the irritating part. They don't feed us and I had little food on the train. What food I did have I was waiting for my last cycling leg from Klamath Falls home. I had a few bagels that I would eventually eat at periodic times because I was famished. I'm a freakin' traveling cyclist. I need to ration my food man and not pay for their expensive meals. After about 14 hours or so on the train, they finally did decide to feed us...a tiny cookie and a few peanuts. And...they would not bring it to us, they asked each of us to go ahead about 5 cars to get the peanut. Oh, the disrespect. Luckily, I contacted Jim Calvert after hitting one dead end in Klamath Falls...and on very short notice, he was able to accommodate me for tonight. My original plan was to arrive in the morning and be on my way, but I was scrambling after I realized the late hour in which the train would arrive. My train was scheduled to arrive at 8:00am. Instead, it arrived at about 5pm. That's a 9 hour delay!! I was on the train for 23 hours. There ought to be a law that states for Amtrak to feed us if we are stranded on the train that long! That's just ridiculous. And I mean more than a few peanuts and a drop of water...something you'd give to a child!!! As you can see, I was more than a little perturbed. The train ride wasn't all bad...there were some very excellent views out my window, some very nice scenes in the sun and in the dark.
Well, I'm here, finally off the train. Jim came and picked me up in his truck! He let me sleep and went off on his nice wrap-around porch to work on my bike - reassembling it. He has a nice place in the hills - except for the long gravel road in. Ha. It's just hard to ride on, that's all. He got me when it was finished. I sure lucked out from having to pay a bike shop to reassemble it for me. I had dozed off on the nice soft bed. He asked me if I was hungry and of course I was after that long haul of a train ride. He took me to a golf course bar and grill and he treated me to a fabulous burger and fries. Man I was hungry and the waitresses were nice, not to mention gorgeous! Then it was sleepy time. I looked at my bike some (more in the morning) and then it was off to dozing and sleeping with a PILLOW!! The things we take for granted...
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