Just wrapped up about 35 days traveling solo almost entirely by Amtrak. Started and ended in the Midwest, hit the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and the Rockies along the way. Roughly 8,200 rail miles total with surprisingly minimal delays.
Routes included Hiawatha, Floridian, Vermonter, Downeaster, Acela, Lake Shore Limited, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr. Rail nerd dream.
Northeast was lots of short stops and one night stays. DC, NH, Boston, Portland ME, NYC. Cheap lobster in Portland, Fenway tour, Freedom Trail, McSorley’s in NYC. Acela got canceled once without warning, NYC subway confused the hell out of me, but overall people were super friendly.
PNW was mostly visiting friends. Grand Forks, Pullman, Moscow ID, Seattle. Took the ferry to Bainbridge, walked UW campus, drove Pullman to Spokane during the day which was gorgeous. Only downside was sitting in Spokane station for 6 hours due to delays. Also learned Washington is expensive for booze and nicotine.
Mountains were the most spontaneous. Sacramento to Provo, then SLC, Denver, Golden. Climbed my first mountain in Provo, explored SLC on light rail, did Red Rocks, Coors Brewery, Mint, Clear Creek trail. Hostel in Denver made it insanely easy to meet people.
Accommodations were a mix of frat houses, friends’ places, hostels, and a few hotels. Met a ton of random kind people everywhere. Seeing small towns, the Great Plains, then the Rockies by train really changed how I see the US.
Easily the best trip I’ve ever taken. Exhausting, expensive at times, but 100% worth it. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
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