The trip of a lifetime finally took place when my best friend and I traveled from Oklahoma City to Culpeper, Virginia. We departed Oklahoma City on the Heartland Flyer and headed south to Fort Worth, Texas where we caught the Texas Eagle to Chicago.

We had a bedroom, which was located on the upper level of the Superliner Sleeping Car. We enjoyed getting to have our meals in the Dining Car where we met and chatted with interesting people from different parts of the country, who also shared a love for rail travel.

I was impressed with the way that the bedroom was set up, like the different light switches for regular use and the blue lights for use at night. The room was very comfortable and well worth the cost. After all, meals are included in that cost, which is a real plus.

We traveled east out of Fort Worth to Dallas and Texarkana. Heading north, we passed through Arkansas and Missouri, then crossed the mighty Mississippi River after passing the awesome St. Louis Arch. The huge expanse of Midwestern farm land reached out as far as the eye could see as we traveled through Illinois. The spectacular skyline of Chicago could be seen for miles away as we approached the city.

After a layover in Chicago, we boarded the Cardinal, which would take us to our destination of Culpeper, Virginia. Our bedroom on the Cardinal was very much like the one on the Texas Eagle, except that there is, a second row of windows on the Viewliner Sleeping Cars, so that the person sleeping in the upper bunk can look out and see where they are at night. Great feature — it makes the room seem spacious.

As we traveled east, the scenery became more and more beautiful. We traveled through Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and into West Virginia. After passing through several tunnels, we ended up on the eastern side of the Allegheny Mountains in Virginia. We passed under the New River Gorge Bridge, which is quite spectacular. Our Cardinal wound its way through the mountains, along rushing river rapids, and over spectacular bridges.

We were in awe of the beauty of Virginia. We walked through the woods, went through the Graffiti House, which served as a hospital after the Battle of Brandy Station during the Civil War, enjoyed great German cuisine in Madison, Virginia, had a couple of jam sessions and attended a school play in Gainesville, Virginia.

We hated to have to leave to go back home, but, there was the excitement of getting to board the train for our return trip. We had the same three days and two nights on the train and loved every minute of it. We had traveled a total 4,164 rail miles through 10 states and were sad when it was over.

This long awaited train trip was indeed magical, as it not only brought us to our dear friends for a wonderful visit, but allowed us to experience the magnificent scenery of our great nation, that can only be seen from a train. It is the only way to travel.

There is a spirit in those trains that seems to work its way into one’s heart and soul. It certainly did with me. The feel of the train going along the tracks is such a wonderful and comfortable way to travel. I am grateful that we have Amtrak to carry on the passenger rail service. Our country needs it desperately. I am indeed ready for the next rail journey, wherever it may go.

One photo is in the Amtrak Superliner Sleeping Car and the other photo is taken in Texarkana, TX during a short stop.