A year or so ago, I realized that riding the Coaster from San Diego to Simi Valley (near Los Angeles) was a lot more pleasurable than driving and fighting the traffic for three hours. My son lives five minutes from the train station. I get the business class, with the senior discount, find a window seat and enjoy a view of the ocean, at least for the first part of the trip. There is an area in San Juan Capistrano, by the train tracks, called Los Rios and there are small houses turned into shops and restaurants where people can browse and enjoy an old-world atmosphere. It would make a good day trip from San Diego either by car or by train. The second part of the train ride turns inland and is mostly industrial areas. There are numerous homeless encampments, and trash where an encampment had been. That scenery is not as enjoyable to look at. Train trips can be fun. Two years ago, I decided to take the train across the country to my daughter’s home in Florida. I took the Coaster from San Diego to Los Angeles, then transferred to another train for two nights and three days to Chicago. I had my own small compartment with a bathroom, although I waited to take a shower until they made one of their scheduled stops, then jumped in the shower and toweled off before the train started up again. Ever tried to take a shower with the shower rocking back and forth? Not fun! I had a small armchair bolted to the floor by the window so I could sit and read or look out at the scenery. I was right next to the dining car and at my scheduled time would wait to be seated with another single or three other singles. Sometimes a couple. Conversation was always stimulating as I learned of the travels of others. Three meals a day I could watch the scenery and small towns go by. I never felt like I was traveling by myself, and the porter was helpful with anything I needed. I stopped in Alexandria to visit my oldest grandson and his fiancé and stayed overnight, then boarded for another night to Florida. My daughter lives in a small rural community but the train stops there briefly, and my trip ended. I’d do it again in a heartbeat! The only thing I had trouble getting used to was my bed rocking back and forth!
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