SeriouslyNoWay

I've done a few more things since last I posted. I need to update my travel pictures. In the meantime check out some of the landscape photos in and around Burbank, CA. Los Angeles and surrounding cities and counties had insane holiday weather, with 6 straight, non-stop days of rain right before Christmas Eve. Thankfully it was dry when I had to travel to Long Beach but not when I was in La Verne.... read more

I'm back! I spent the weekend in Long Beach running about for my cousin Leana's wedding. I did get a chance to check out the Aquarium of the Pacific. Tons of colorful, fun stuff to see. Plus they had tanks full of aquatic animals you could touch. Who knew I'd ever be able to touch Manta Rays and sharks. Very cool. Here's a few pics to tide you over until I add the rest. So many beautiful creatures!... read more

Travel by train isn't too bad if you have some time to devote to it. I'd advise taking along a camera, an mp3 player, some books or magazines, games or playing cards and earplugs. On the way to Iowa the guy in the seat right behind me snored. And not in a normal annoying snore way but tons worse. I actually had earplugs in and I still heard this guy. I jumped awake as soon as he started because I was sure someone on the train was dying. It sounded like someone was trying to desperately breathe through liquid-filled lungs. Dude, if you're out there? Get that checked out. The only people who should sound like that are people who are dying. On the plus side, it made every snorer I encountered after that just a ... read more

I didn't get to see the inside of many stations but on the outside some Amtrak train stations are gorgeous. They seem to be historic landmarks. Other stations look scary. Our route had a couple that looked like fodder for a great horror movie. The Galesburg station was really cute although the attendant the first time through acted like she hated the world. The Osceola station was kind of crappy looking but it felt kind of homey on the inside. The attendant was also really nice. The Albuquerque station was gorgeous and there were Native Americans selling fabulous jewelry and crafts.... read more

My mom and I used Amtrak to get from Los Angeles to Iowa this last week. Quite the event. I don't really recommend the train for impatient people. By the end of my trip I just wanted to hide and never speak to or hear from another person again. Still, it is a good form of transport. Tons better than driving. Less aggravating than the plane. Plus, I got to see a lot of great scenery. We started in Fullerton and rode the Southwest Chief through Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. Then there was a layover in Galesburg, Illinois where I discovered the best restaurant ever! If you're ever near Galesburg go to the Landmark Cafe on Seminary Street. Then there was a short ride from Galesburg to Osceola, Iowa on the California Zephyr. ... read more