The first leg of the trip began May 20th as I boarded Amtrak's California Zephyr in Emeryville, CA. The Zephyr has been called the most scenic rail route in America. Covering over 2,400 miles from San Francisco to Chicago the train follows a route very close to that of the historic transcontinental railroad, originally completed in 1869. I'm a sucker for the railroad - and the Zephyr was the original reason I decided to travel this way. I hope you enjoy the photos I snapped during the 56 hour journey from the sf bay to the windy city.
Old mining town in the Sierra Nevada foothills
The American River Canyon
Approaching high country
Into the Sierras
Skiing, anyone?? The train climbs to nearly 7,000 feet before beginning its descent towards Reno
Donner Lake, near Donner Pass
The Vista Car- Miles and miles of great views... and you don't even have to watch the road! Train people are good people, and its easy to make new acquaintances. You'll chat for hours and feel like old friends before you know it. Over the course of my trip, I met a restaurant owner from San Francisco, a semi-retired couple from Pleasanton on their way to a wedding in Illinois, a Danish businessman riding to Chicago instead of taking the airplane ("for the views"), a blackhawk helicopter pilot with the army national guard in Colorado, a retired gas-utility worker from Grand Junction, a nice kid from Des Moines who recently completed his HVAC certificate, and a police dispatcher from New Zealand who simply loves to travel in the United States. 
An old aqueduct of some sort
A short break in Reno
The train passes beneath several casinos
Open range in Nevada
Winnemucca! I just love saying that word. And it's in a johnny cash song. And the train station is about the size as a bus stop...
Nighttime in Elko, Nevada. Sleeping in coach class takes practice, and earplugs (sometimes)
Next morning, I awoke early to beautiful cliffs in Utah
Another western town
Eastern Utah... this could be a john wayne film
The Colorado River
Colorado is breathtaking! My first time through
Snowmelt and rain have the river near floodstage as we begin our slow ascent into the Rocky Mountains
If you look closely on the left you can see the front of the train
Picking up new passengers in Glenwood Springs, CO
Next time, that should be me!
Often the rail goes places no automobile will ever see... The Rocky Mountains are stunning by train. The highest pass is 10,000 feet
Class V?!
A break somewhere west of Denver
Descending from the Rockies, approaching Denver
Night fell just after Denver, and we passed thru Kansas during a nighttime lightning storm. I somehow was able to sleep, and upon waking early the next morning found the lush green landscape of Iowa. Spring means green!
Corn and Soy seem to be King in Iowa. Grain elevators were dime-a-dozen (and probably a billion dollar industry)
Quaint, simple homes watch over well-manicured lawns
Downtown Burlington, Iowa
A bit of Railroad past
In the Burlington railroad yard I lost count of the number of "corn syrup" cars. That's your soda-pop, your breakfast cereal, and your candy bar!
At Burlington we crossed the Mighty Mississip' into Illinois
Miles of farmland before finally, finally.....
Chicago!!! 
Three days and 2,400 miles later, I stepped foot off the California Zephyr and into the great city of Chicago. The process of arriving by train is wonderful. I felt like I earned it; all those towns, all that scenery, so many miles. It's a journey, not a trip; and there is a difference. I was surprisingly energetic as I waded through crowds to catch an Amtrak connection up to Madison, WI....... (more on that later... and don't worry, I'll be back to Chicago...!) Peace 
1 comment:
Looks like an awesome ride! Hope you made it through that first bit of rail without feeling too dizzy and out of it. Woo Chigoggers!
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