To train or not to train. That is the question!

And this question arose because our plane leaves tomorrow morning from Miami so we go down the day before. We’ve driven to Miami several times and can’t say anything good about the traffic on I95, or just how boring the drive is. We’ve also flown to Miami, and while it’s a short flight, there’s TSA screening; waiting for the plane and praying that it will arrive and depart without any delay or cancellation; the screaming baby across from you; the obnoxious kid behind you kicking the back of your seat nonstop; and/or the lout in front of you reclining his seat into your lap. Flying is truly a beating.  At the time I booked, there was no nonstop available and we would have had to fly to Atlanta to get to Miami, for about $250.

That’s when I got the bright idea to take the train down, then fly back, The coach tickets were only $36, and it would be a relaxing way to spend 8 hrs.   But then Brian got the bright idea to get a “roomette”, and it was still cheaper than flying and  an adventure at the same time. 

The good things about Amtrak: free parking, wonderful service, meals included with our roomette, the motion of the train,  convenient plugs for charging and, the time went by very quickly as we watched a movie, listened to audiobooks, napped, and, since the rooms were soundproof, practiced our karaoke.

Not so good?  The size of the roomette! Supposed to be right size for 2, but just wasn’t. Very cramped (but it did have a toilet out in the open). It would have been fine for one person, however.  

That’s when I spotted the “bedroooms”. What a difference! A long sofa, an extra chair, a sink, and a private combo toilet and shower. We had a bad case of room envy! It only took a couple of minutes to ask our room steward if we could pay the difference and upgrade. No problem- he made a phone call, and then we made a  “what the hell” call and ponied up the additional fare. Now flying would definitely have been cheaper, but the bedroom was so much more comfortable and is absolutely the way to go for 2 people.

But I do have a cautionary tale for you. Remember the motion I like so much? Well it’s nearly continuous side to side and bouncing. And sometimes, if a gentleman is standing up, using the facilities, it is possible, even likely, that the motion of the train causes the lid to drop closed in the middle of his business, which then goes everywhere! Uh-oh! Do I need to say more?