See the USA- NO Crowded Highways and Long Security Lines

From My Travel Readings This WeeK_ My Father and Mother-in-law took this trip during their first visit to the US. In their second trip to the US they used the Greyhound Bus System from Chicago to New York City.

There’s a way to cross the United States that doesn’t involve long security lines, crowded highways, or blinking fast past everything in sight. It’s called the train—and riding it from coast to coast is like traveling through a living, breathing painting.

Your journey begins in Emeryville, California, just across the bay from San Francisco. From there, you board the legendary California Zephyr, one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes. As it pulls eastward, the train winds through Sacramento, the high deserts of Nevada, and the dramatic climb into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. By the time you glide past Salt Lake City and enter the towering Rockies near Denver, you're witnessing landscapes most people only see in postcards.

After about 51 unforgettable hours, you arrive in Chicago’s Union Station. 

From there, it’s time to transfer to the Lake Shore Limited. This leg hugs the southern edges of the Great Lakes and follows the historic Hudson River. You'll pass through cities like Cleveland, Buffalo, and Albany, each with its own story, before finally pulling into New York City's Penn Station.

The entire trip takes just under 72 hours, but it’s not about speed—it’s about stillness, scenery, and soul. You see the golden plains of Nebraska, snow-dusted peaks in Colorado, and sleepy Midwestern towns where time seems to pause. You meet fellow travelers, swap stories in the dining car, and watch the sun set across vast open lands.

This isn’t just a ride—it’s an American experience. One that stretches across landscapes and lifetimes. If you ever wanted to see the soul of a nation unfold before your eyes, this is the way to do it.

Meanwhile, here's my Food for Thought for the Day

Lastly, For my Funny story of the Day!

So after landing my new job as a Walmart greeter—a good find for many retirees—I lasted less than a day.

About two hours into my first shift, a very loud, mean-acting woman walked into the store with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance.

As I had been instructed, I said pleasantly,
"Good morning and welcome to Walmart. Nice children you have there. Are they twins?"

Of course, her children were at least two years apart, and while they shared some similar features, they certainly didn’t look like each other.

The woman stopped yelling long enough to snap,
"Hell no, they ain’t twins. The oldest one’s 9, and the other one’s 7. Why the hell would you think they’re twins? Are you blind or just stupid?"

So I replied,
"I’m neither blind nor stupid, ma’am—I just couldn’t believe someone slept with you twice. Have a good day, and thank you for shopping at Walmart."

My supervisor later said I probably wasn’t cut out for this line of work.