We are enjoying our stay in Florida, but I'm thinking it's time that I got to get mentally ready for our return trip back to Jersey in a few weeks  Auto train! Auto rain!

Yes, for three years now, I've done nothing but complain/praise this mode of transportation. Hey, the plus to it all, is the fact that I will be driving 811 less miles on Interstate 95. Look, it's not the worst thing either. They try their best sitting you with other passengers making friends along the route. Dinner is not like eating in Del Frisco's in NYC, but it's a decent meal, all things considered because they don't have a full blown kitchen and Michelin chef in the third car cooking up fresh steaks and lobster tails.

But, according to AI: meals are generally not pre-packaged frozen meals, but rather, chef prepared hot meals served in a traditional dinning car.

Let me say, though, it is a heck of a lot better than what you might get on some flights from New York to Rome on your favorite airline. Besides the food being better, you aren't relegated to eating on a seat back table in your 17" to 21", seat, depending on the class of ticket you chose to pay for. You are sitting at a table. Yes, a table with other people having conversations about why you are on the Auto Train. Not wondering if the person in front of you in row 21 is going to suddenly recline their seat just as you are taking the top off of the fruit cup.

I bring this up, because I just received an email from Travel and Leisure magazine about a scenic train ride from Chicago to San Francisco, called the California Zephyr, a beautiful scenic 2,438 miles. Now, I'm not sure if the rooms on this train are more updated equipment, or, are they the same rooms they offer on the Fl to VA auto train. I did see they offer private rooms and roomettes! Auto train? If so, this would be a hard sell to my woman to accompany me on this delightful trip through the Rockies.

Now, Doris may say something like, "I'll have no problem with it" and I will argue, "It's not a good idea, honey". She has never been on the Auto Train, but I know how she feels about mass transportation in general. Like convincing her that the NJ Transit bus 158 from WNY to NYC is the best way to travel to the city. Saves a heck of a lot of time, walking distance and coins, but it is a tough sell!

Amtrak, I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm beating on you, but being on your trains, with all your efforts to make it a pleasant adventure, to me, it is just a way to save miles behind the steering wheel. It is not a vacation. But, what the heck, it's just one man's opinion.

I'm still an AOL guy and we get these news stories that come across the screen when you open the app up. The one I saw this morning is about Norwegian Cruise Line, (NCL). Turns out they will be banning shorts, tank tops, flip flops and ripped jeans in their upscale restaurants. Seems you may have to pack a few extra clothes on your next NCL cruise. I'm good with this.

John A Sutich

Just Another Story Blog