Choo Choo!

Standing in Union Station

First let me start out by saying that I have the most fantastic cousins that anyone could ever ask for.  They were my first friends and to this day the bonds we formed as children remain.  Last year we all put our heads together and decided that we needed to start spending more time together.  So as a result "Chenoweth Girls Cousin Reunion" was born.  This year our gathering took place in Deale, MD at a small 1920's cottage on the Chesapeake Bay.

Union Station again

Amtrak runs just a short drive from our home and yet I have never taken the train.  I was set to remedy this by taking the train from Charlotte to Union Station in downtown DC.  Coach seats were, including tax, around $68.00 each way.  I was allowed up to 5 pieces of luggage, two carry on and three checked, at no extra cost.  A bargain price for certain!  I found my seat clean, very roomy and with an electric outlet to recharge my cell or watch a movie on my laptop.  ( some trains also have free wifi.  The Carolinian did not. Next trip I will take the Piedmont route.  It is shorter, due to less stops, and has wifi )  The conductors were all very happy and willing to answer or help whenever called upon.  The restrooms were large and well supplied.  So, what is the drawback?  Time.  The train ride was 9 hours.  Had I flown my travel time would have included 1 1/2 hours for airport check-in, a 1 1/4 hour layover, and a 1 3/4 hour flight or about 4 1/2 hours total.  By car it is about a 7  hour drive and stops to use the restrooms and to refuel puts it at 7 1/2 hours.

Toilet!

So, would I take the train again?  Absolutely!  I was able to walk freely, read a good book ( "The Help" ), eat and use the restroom all while on the move and at a great price.  In fact I have my eye on a New Orleans trip and Amtrak just might have my ticket.

Florida.

After several days of sleep, upon returning from Japan, it was time to pack my bags for a road trip to Florida!  One week with my daughter, granddaughter, grandson, sister and brother-in-law, mother-in-law, nieces and great nephews. 

As I am rolling down the interstate,to pick up my daughter and grand babies, my "low tire pressure" light comes on.  Well isn't that just lovely!?  I finish the short leg of the interstate, pick up the kids and head off to a gas station to fill the tire.  I plunk $1.00 into an air compressor press the nozzle onto the tire stem to fill it..... hissssss air is letting out of the tire.  We look at the nozzle again, read the instruction and proceed to try to fill the tire.  Again, the hiss of air escaping.  By now we are down to 22psi in the tire.  Back into the car and off to "Liberty Bikes" where my son-in-law works.  He uses a hand pump to get us enough air to make it to the next station.  Hooray, the air is free at the next station and the compressor works. 

A stop to fill our bellies with grub at "French Frys" was in order.   Grubbed on a yummy "Old Fashion" all the way ( slaw, onions and chili ).  Then along with a nice mustard stain on my shirt, we are off down I-26 east toward I-95. 

Florida was Florida and all that comes with it.  Sun, heat, pool time, Mickey Mouse, beaches, sand everywhere and even a fireball in the sky.

See ya later Florida!