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I am condensing the rest of the trip into Train and Chicago.
Day 8:
Some guy kept jumping around, trying to shoot what I shot. He got in my way whether I was shooting right or left. This happens sometimes, people see my camera and start to act really weird like they can copy me, but with a cell phone. I actually had a super weird experience in downtown PDX with that recently. When I shot behind me, the switched to sit on the other side. I don’t know what good composition there is without the windows and chairs as framing, but he stayed, snapping away. After practically leaping over one of those couches I think he finally became slightly self conscious.
Lots of amazing views. I love high altitude snow and small pines. The views were stunning, but I was also just focusing on being there rather than the shots most of the time. Also, when that one guy kept getting in my shots I just didn't feel like dealing.
The lounge car attendant is very, very proud of his bloody marys. He talked about them during most announcements. When he was making a pair for some women in front of me in line, he told a story about winning a bet by how good his are.
Full day on the train, through snowy high desert, red rock formations and small pine trees. It gets very dark early, so views are a bit limited. This is why the plan was to go in fall or spring, but I love the wintery views.
California Zephyr passing the California Zephyr:
Day eight -
Last day on the train and I’m trying to tell myself that this is not going to be my last time sleeping on a long haul train. (Spoilers - I am planning to train into and out of NYC, partially because NYC airports are a nightmare and take forever to get to and from. Hopefully no one does... exactly what he did last time as president. Since it could happen suddenly, I realize I am running the risk of being stranded.) I spent a chunk of the day just laying in bed and feeling the rocking, listening to The Midnight when internet allowed. I should have been able to download some albums for offline use, but somehow it never seems to work right.
In the afternoon I went to the observation car and decide to treat myself to a mimosa. When the attendant handed me the bottle of prosecco he asked if I’ll bring him the cap when I’m done. The cap is sort of barrel shaped and I wonder why he could be collecting these. When he does last call before he has to go break down what’s been his room for three days, I pop down to bring him the cap. Turns out he makes D&D terrain and uses the little barrel shaped caps for hay stacks and other stuff. He’s making a brewery right now, and needs them for the beer kegs.
He’s had the job for thirty years and he parents also worked on the railroad. If Amtrak gets fucked by the election, it’s not just me being able to sleep in a rocking car that’s in danger, it’s the jobs of the people I’ve been interacting with, the ability to travel at all for people with certain disabilities, and a fuck of a lot more.
And then I was pulling into Chicago Union Station again.
Day 8:
Some guy kept jumping around, trying to shoot what I shot. He got in my way whether I was shooting right or left. This happens sometimes, people see my camera and start to act really weird like they can copy me, but with a cell phone. I actually had a super weird experience in downtown PDX with that recently. When I shot behind me, the switched to sit on the other side. I don’t know what good composition there is without the windows and chairs as framing, but he stayed, snapping away. After practically leaping over one of those couches I think he finally became slightly self conscious.
Lots of amazing views. I love high altitude snow and small pines. The views were stunning, but I was also just focusing on being there rather than the shots most of the time. Also, when that one guy kept getting in my shots I just didn't feel like dealing.
The lounge car attendant is very, very proud of his bloody marys. He talked about them during most announcements. When he was making a pair for some women in front of me in line, he told a story about winning a bet by how good his are.
Full day on the train, through snowy high desert, red rock formations and small pine trees. It gets very dark early, so views are a bit limited. This is why the plan was to go in fall or spring, but I love the wintery views.
California Zephyr passing the California Zephyr:
Day eight -
Last day on the train and I’m trying to tell myself that this is not going to be my last time sleeping on a long haul train. (Spoilers - I am planning to train into and out of NYC, partially because NYC airports are a nightmare and take forever to get to and from. Hopefully no one does... exactly what he did last time as president. Since it could happen suddenly, I realize I am running the risk of being stranded.) I spent a chunk of the day just laying in bed and feeling the rocking, listening to The Midnight when internet allowed. I should have been able to download some albums for offline use, but somehow it never seems to work right.
In the afternoon I went to the observation car and decide to treat myself to a mimosa. When the attendant handed me the bottle of prosecco he asked if I’ll bring him the cap when I’m done. The cap is sort of barrel shaped and I wonder why he could be collecting these. When he does last call before he has to go break down what’s been his room for three days, I pop down to bring him the cap. Turns out he makes D&D terrain and uses the little barrel shaped caps for hay stacks and other stuff. He’s making a brewery right now, and needs them for the beer kegs.
He’s had the job for thirty years and he parents also worked on the railroad. If Amtrak gets fucked by the election, it’s not just me being able to sleep in a rocking car that’s in danger, it’s the jobs of the people I’ve been interacting with, the ability to travel at all for people with certain disabilities, and a fuck of a lot more.
And then I was pulling into Chicago Union Station again.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-23 09:25 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2024-12-26 05:03 am (UTC)From:Bummer about the weird obnoxious guy, though.
Neat about the guy making miniature props.
I really hope that this isn't the last time you get to do a real train trip (and that nothing goes wrong with the planned one.) But I am definitely worried for the same reasons.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-27 05:38 pm (UTC)From:Seeing cameras like mine causes people to activate in weird ways sometimes. I've been dealing with is since... maybe 2012 was when I first got a camera that lead to weird interactions? Usually, I can tune it out but this guy was literally getting in the way of my shots and it's not like I can reshoot easily.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-29 07:30 am (UTC)From:If I see someone is taking pictures, especially of a bird or something, I'll often pause to look at whatever they're taking pictures of... but am certainly not going to try and get in their shot or rush up on them! Rude!
Especially when crowding up on you wrecks your chance to get the shot. When you're on a moving train, or when the bird you're looking at is going to fly away. Bleh.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-29 08:53 pm (UTC)From:If I see a camera pulled out I usually look, but usually it's not my kind of shot anyway. But I will see others crowd the person sometimes.
It's kinda funny when I am shooting something that will not work on a cell phone camera and people just short of shoot in my direction. It's like... what are you even doing? I guess they think there must be something there and if they manage to copy it they can... be cool? or something?
no subject
Date: 2024-12-31 01:37 am (UTC)From:Yeah, if I see people are taking pictures, I'm usually curious about what they're getting shots of. Sometimes it is something cool that I'll also try to get a picture of... but only when they're done.
I feel like it's a weird FOMO thing. "This guy found value in this, so I Must Also Have It!" Even when it's something that objectively won't work the way they're trying.