Home for the Holidays.

So it’s a political-free entry today!

I am very excited about my upcoming trip home for the Christmas. I am taking Amtrak’s “Empire Builder” to Chicago, spending the night at the Palmer House, and then getting on the “California Zephyr” to Omaha to spend a week with my parents.

On the way back, I’m Zephyring back to Chicago, spending another night at the Palmer House, and then taking the “Southwest Chief” to LA. From there, I will return home via United Air Lines.

Train travel is not for everyone, but it works well for me. I like how relaxing and scenic it is, and the interesting people you meet.

I especially like the Chicago-Omaha route, because I can do all my Christmas shopping in Chicago, have everything gift wrapped, and be able to take it on the train, which you can’t do on the plane. (Since there’s no good shopping in Omaha, it’s especially important.) And I love how the little towns in Iowa that the train runs through all decorate along the tracks. It’s very holiday-esque and nostalgic as hell.

The Chief to LA goes through the Southwest along a historic route where many of the stations were designed by Mary Coulter, an early lady architect who had an special interest in Southwest Indian culture, and this is reflected in the hotels and stations she designed – plus there is nothing cooler than LA Union Station. It’s the essence of Southern California Glamour.

In February, in observance of my (gasp) 40th birthday, I am planning a trip to Winslow Arizona to spend time at her legendary hotel, La Posada. It almost makes up for getting so damn old.