A big aspect of our cross-country adventure was the train ride itself–the many hours sitting and sleeping and living on the train. Every so often, the train would stop just long enough for folks to disembark for a ten-minute break–streeetch, run in circles, breathe in the outdoors. But the rest of the hours were spent onboard, jumping from car to car to keep things interesting.

afternoon in the observation car

Train travel is all about location. It’s the ongoing topic of conversation. Where you’re coming from, where’s the next stop, where you’re passing through, and where you’re headed to. But funny–while riding the train, it feels like all those locations are passing by you, rather than the reverse–as life onboard is like a little world of its own.

window seats

There’s still some magic about travelling by train. It’s not fast or always entirely timely–but something feels right about watching the changing landscape and feeling the long transition from one place to another. It’s a trip worth taking if you have the chance.

Any chance that you’ll ride the rails sometime soon?

listening to: Peace Train by Cat Stevens (listen)