Several people had talked about taking the auto train to Virginia, so I decided I would try that out one time. The train leaves in the afternoon at 4 from Sanford, Florida and travels all night, arriving in Lorton, Virginia at 9 the next morning. My good friend, Peg, lives about a half hour away from the station in Sanford so I went to her house on Sunday afternoon, visited with her the next morning, and then was on my way. All in all, it was a pleasant trip. I didn't spring for a Pullman, but I think I will if I do it again.
The whole process went quite smoothly, from dropping off my car in Sanford to be put on the train and getting in and driving it away when we got to Virginia. It took me two hours to get from the train station to Sarah's apartment in Charlottesville...not bad.
Sarah and I enjoyed Christmas together, going to church and then to see the movie "War Horse." David, Sabrina, and Ella were with her family in Ohio. After they returned, we had our family Christmas together at Sarah's on Thursday.
Sarah gave Ella and Sabrina matching monogrammed aprons. Sabrina is a great cook and baker, and Ella is a great helper.
With a wonderful imagination, Ella transformed one of aunt Sarah's chairs into a sleigh. Note that Rudolph is guiding the sleigh with his red nose, along with Clarice, his friend. Ella was also careful to put some taillights at the end of the sleigh. Two little ornaments that lit up were the taillights.
I left today to come back to Florida. It was 21 with snow flurries when I left. When I got out of the car in Dillon, South Carolina to get gas, I thought I was going to turn into an icicle right there. The wind was so sharp, whipping around the gas pumps. I am sitting, nice and warm, in a hotel room now enjoying the Virginia Tech/Michigan football game. I hope that the freezing temperatures will have left Florida by the time I get there.
14 comments:
Bev--looks like a wonderful time. Good to hear how the train worked out--taking your car along. Pretty cool. I was wondering as you said you stayed in a hotel on the way home!
happy New Year!
my aunt and uncle used to take that auto train a lot many years ago, they would go to New York and other points in between, DC was one of their trips. I wondered where it left from now. i wish the train still left from here, i would go on it to Savannah. it will be warm here by the time you get here.
Sounds like a great adventure Bev! Thanks for sharing!
I know that you are now back home and snug, and happy for that.
I had not heard of that auto train - what a great idea!
Oh my, your Ella is such a lovely little girl. I'm so glad that you were able to see her at Christmas. What a good idea, putting your car on the train, such a stress-free way to travel, especially at this time of year when the weather can be so unpredictable.
Loved this story about the train ride! I've ridden the train some - so could identify with your trip. I know you were glad to get back to Lacoochee and out of the freeze up here. And isn't that Ella the creative one? So smart to transform that chair into a sleigh with such attention to detail.
We used to take the train each summer when I was a child. Happy memories.
Oh, that's the best...spending lots of time with Ella and everyone. She is getting so big...and just as cute as ever. Kids love the Wii. I have one, and we've had many fun times with it when everyone is in town....even Bella and Bastian are into it now. Happy New Year Bev....much love to you. ~Joy
What a nice way to spend Christmas! Ella is growing up fast. I love her sleigh with Rudolph lighting the way with his red nose. LOL! Your train ride sounded fun, but I did not realize how far away Virginia is from Florida! What a trip.
I hope you are now home and safe and warm.
Hugs
I'm loving your pictures! I can't see what day you posted this, can't remember when you left! I had fun when we met. My cold turned into an anti-biotic resistant bacterial staph infection and I am on my second anti-biotics and also steroids. Really missing Ella, so glad to have these extra pictures! I still see her in my head, standing at the door waving when we left, wanting to go with us.
Love the idea of the auto train ride. I think that's the way to travel.
Wishing we could jump on one now and come and visit you.
Maybe in a few months when all this financial stuff gets straighten out. What a pain!
I've only ridden on small trains to visit a mine or two in Colorado up near the Eisenhower tunnel. Loved it though. Also kiddie trains as a child and with children. Still fun.
I haven't been blogging for awhile but feels good to touch base and visit a few and see what everyone is up to. Looks like you had an enjoyable holiday.
YOu haven't been blogging..everything okay?
LOVE the pictures of Ella, as usual! xxx
Sounds like a great trip - neat having your car when you arrive.
Post a Comment