Bucket List

Ever since the movie, ”The Bucket List” came out, I have noticed an increased interest in creating and working on personal bucket lists…myself included.

One of the items on my list was to travel by train.  When I was young, my parents would put my brother, sister and me on a train from Jacksonville, FL to Columbus, GA to visit our grandparents.  We were about 8-10 years old and traveled alone (oh the days of trust).  It was wonderful.  We were given a picnic lunch and off we went.  It was great fun to look out the window and see all the farm lands and woods.  The cars connected with an open passageway.  The conductor would take us out to stand in the fresh air as we whirled by the various landscapes. 

Obviously, these memories are wonderful and romantic.  I wanted to re-live this great adventure, so I took a train trip to Durham, NC to see my sister.  I left from Palatka, FL which was the closest station to my house in St. Augustine at 9:40pm.  Instead of going inside to a station with beautiful carved wooden seats to wait for the train, I stood outside by the track with my suitcase.  There were two other people their waiting with me.  The train pulled up and stopped just long enough for us to climb up the stairs and shut the door. 

To make a long story short, train travel as I remembered it was not to be experienced – at least on this trip.  However, I doubt I will make another to find out if it is any different.

I am home now sitting on the porch taking in the beautiful autumn weather.  

My visit with my sister was grand!