On the Southwest Chief somewhere in California

I'd expected a lot from this train journey and it's more than delivered. I might be the only person on the train relishing the delays (one medical emergency, one car broken down on the tracks, two commuter trains that needed to overtake) and wishing the US was a day wider. It's lovely.

The best things so far: the stunning Hudson Valley. Crossing the mighty Mississippi. Realising how beautiful agriculture can be. A lightning storm as we crossed flat bits of Colorado.Northern New Mexico's red velvet cake soil. Sunrise over the Mojave desert. Being rocked to sleep to the thunk of the tracks. The cheeriness and goodwill of the staff, particularly the conductor from Chicago to Kansas City who gave us a commentary on all of the cities we passed. "And now it's marvellous Mendota, the Las Vegas of Illinois! Is Mendota your final destination? You can get out here if you enjoy Mendota's attractions, such as eating Del Monte tinned fruit! Well, that was Mendota. I miss it already".

Our roomette is teeny tiny, just big enough for a fold-down upper bunk, two comfy chairs that slide together to make the lower bunk, and two adults who _really_ like each other. It's close. There are a bunch of little bathrooms and a shower down the hall as well as an ice cold water dispenser that dispenses tepid water and a boiling water dispenser that actually contains tolerable coffee.

The upper bunk has no outside view so we've been living on the lower one, reading, playing Carcassonne, doing NYT crosswords, taking frequent naps (Joel), eating all of the fig rolls (Tanya) and looking out the window for hours at the country going by.

It's super relaxing. I would do this again in a heartbeat.