Amtrak to Burning Man? (reno)

[tattoogoddess]

a microwaved digiorno pizza

ewwww! And that right there is why im brining my own food.

[theCryptofishist]

I wanna be able to post whatever I want without being insulted, so please avoid this talking with me.

Next to every one of Simon's posts--on the right--is his name as a link. Click on that link and there are two more links. One says "Add Friend" the other "Add Foe". Click the Foe link. It will ask you if you want to do this. Say yes. Then you never have to read another of Simon's words. This is much more effective than getting into a pissing match with Simon. I'd put Simon up against most Thoroughbred race horses...

[theCryptofishist]

I think that the more important question is, Can you smell a CAFO from the amtrak.

[Zhust]

also.. its fun to look out the window at the CAFO while youre enjoying a steak in the dining car.. with a butter filled baked potato.. ...the steak isnt that great.. (but what food is great on an amtrak train?)..but hey its food.
...
plastic plates are kind of cheezy.

I've found the chicken tends to be the best tasting meal. I haven't tried the steak. Alas, I went quasi-vegetarian and will only buy meat that I can reasonably confirm came from a decent/sustainable source. That way I don't impose on anyone else as I'll eat any bacon that is offered.

The macaroni-and-cheese, by my palate, seems to be from an off-brand box. And then prepared poorly. Quite the disappointment.

[AntiM]

We were driving cross country and needed a break. We saw a scenic overlook sign and wondered what the hell there was to overlook in Kansas. So we stopped. Regrettably. Overlooking a CAFO. The smell is bad, but earthily bearable. But the flies, oh dear gods, the flies.....

[trilobyte]

I've done some pruning of this thread to remove some of the recent fighting, personal attacks, and internet posturing. Please play nice and be respectful of each other. If you find another ePlaya user whose posts routinely get on your nerves, you can mute/block them.

[tattoogoddess]

THANK YOU!!

[Simon of the Playa]

I have been looking into other options of how to get to the Playa. I have been giving some thought to amtrak as of right now the ticket will cost me $258 round trip. I have heard many people can get a ride in reno quite easy. Has anyone ever done this? Do people do this. Would love to hear what people have to say.

evidently not...

[Bob]

I don't have anything particularly useful to add other than I wouldn't go without a couple boxes of energy bars, a gallon or two of water, and whiskey. You can always sell bars to fellow travelers if a Hereford carcass rips up the undercarriage miles from nowhere.

Wonder what the trains are like in Mexico these days. My first trip down there, in the late 70s, I hitchhiked to Calexico, walked across, and got on a "primero" to Mazatlan, about 22 hours of hot & dusty Hades, and stretches of track through the loose sand of the Colorado delta and coastal sloughs were a little sketchy, but you can't beat the scenery and local colour. Another 20 hours to Guadalajara, where you had to switch to the buses, but from the DF to Oaxaca they had a steam train that wound its way across the very tropical Isthmus of Tehuantepec and up steep grades through banana plantations in the Sierras. I can still taste the coal smoke.

Funny thing on the Oaxaca stretch -- Mormon kids from Utah on their first mission had reserved two of the cars. Talk about raging hormones...

[Roberto Dobbisano]

Mormon kids from Utah on their first mission had reserved two of the cars. Talk about raging hormones...

suddenly the thread gets interesting.

[Bob]

Kept hoping the banditos reputedly still operating in the Sierras would stop the train, kidnap the lot and sell them into white slavery.

[Simon of the Playa]

sell them into white slavery.

these were mormons right?


they're used to it.

[Bob]

Nice site, lots of pics of the scenery & ad hoc track repair: http://mexicanrailroads.blogspot.com/.

[Simon of the Playa]

i spent alot of summers up in Bethlehem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlehem,_New_Hampshire

[catinthefunnyhat]

I did a short (1-day) train trip in Mexico a few years ago. It wasn't a grand adventure like Bob's -- we were on a local train, but we were with a tour group* and we had a reserved car. This is what happens when one travels with one's vanilla parents. Oh, well... It was a lovely trip. Gorgeous scenery. A distinct lack of bandidos**. And you could ride on the walkways between the cars, get fresh air and better views!

*Not the LDS!
**A conservative acquaintance of mine, when I got back from the trip, his first question was "did you get held up by bandidos?"

[catinthefunnyhat]

i spent alot of summers up in Bethlehem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlehem,_New_Hampshire

Beautiful, Simon.
*Adds to the never-ending list of places to go...*

[FeetOfClay]

just called Amtrak to inquire about the Colorado fires' impact on rail service (if any).

the good news is, as of today, the California Zephyr (CHI to RNO) has been running on time, arriving on time.

prayers to the people in Colorado that their homes and loved ones be safe from the fire. prayers that the fire does impact people's journey to the Burn, whether by train or other means.

[tattoogoddess]

44 days till I leave 43 till some others do. So bumping this up to see if anyone else wants to try out amtrak with us. Ticket prices are still the same as when I booked this winter. from iowa to reno and back $264.

[FeetOfClay]

can't believe only 43 days. holy crap, i've got a lot do...

[tattoogoddess]

41 days I have 43 days 3 hours till I leave here in Iowa, you are leaving from NY. (yes I have a countdown clock on my computer desk top )Get on it homeslice!You have less time then I do! haha. I got paid today so stocking up on last bits I need other then food. El wire, batteries, and tank tops. Have to get 2 more stakes/screws for my tent to some time this week.

[Zhust]

I realized a few days ago that, like last year, I'm not close enough to done with the trike to make a sane attempt at my original plan. I also bought train tickets: I'll leave Rochester on August 22 and arrive in Reno on Saturday morning the 25th. I think that's the same train as everyone else. Return trip I scheduled Tuesday afternoon, September 4.

[tattoogoddess]

Nope we are all on the one that gets in on the 26th (sunday am) and I think at least 2 of us if not all 3 of us are on the one returning departing wen the 5th

[FeetOfClay]

Zhust--can u switch your reservation to the one that we are all taking? (mine leaves NYC on aug 23rd, gets to RENO on sun 26th)?

it will be more fun that way. that is, if you've managed to shake that Amtrak-bad-juju-jinx that floating around you a few years back

[junglesmacks]

I reckon that he's a smart boy (no.. I know that part for a fact) and aimed to get in to Reno a day early on purpose just to give extra leeway. I would tell you to do the same.

[Zhust]

Zhust--can u switch your reservation to the one that we are all taking? (mine leaves NYC on aug 23rd, gets to RENO on sun 26th)?

it will be more fun that way. that is, if you've managed to shake that Amtrak-bad-juju-jinx that floating around you a few years back

I'm getting there early because I have a very subtle art project that I will likely get an early-arrival pass for that lets me in starting on Sunday, improving my odds of hitching a ride. Thus far, no pass is in my inbox, but I think it's likely. I agree it'd be fun to be with everyone, but to be honest, I'm going to spend 7 days straight with Burners ... I don't know if three more days would be ... you know ... "better".

[Zhust]

I sound too mean about it: I forgot to mention that I thought I picked the train everyone else would be on! After 3 days on the train, I'd want a nice night off before immediately turing around and going to the Playa — I just assumed everyone else did too.

[lemur]

indeed... getting off the train and going right to the burn kind of sucks.

after doing it one time i decided that its not worth doing again...

even when flying in i take a night in reno to break up the traveling bit from the 'going to burning man' bit.

its amazing how much a little break/night in a hotel with room service lazing about makes the first day/night on the playa that much easier..


so uhh, what is the list of people doing this amtrak thing anyways ? ..i think i remember seeing it at one point.

[FeetOfClay]

as far as I know:

Zhust
me
Tattoo Goddess
another guy who is really nice (he's from France...forgot his name...you out there?)

I am gonna spend a night at the Sands after getting off the train--no way I am driving straight into the desert after 3 days without a shower on Amtrak.

[BoyScoutGirl]

I'm going in on Amtrak, arriving Sunday morning with ^these fellas. Not taking the train after the event, however.

[Dr. Pyro]

Just want to remind you Amtrak peeps that the Barbie Death Camp Hotel Deal is still available. And if you ask nicely you may not even have to shower alone.