Amtrak Adventure

We did it. We rode the train. It was definitely an adventure. We boarded the train about an hour from Iowa City in a city called Mt. Pleasant. I am always pleasantly surprised by the kindness that I always receive in Iowa. The train station had a few passengers waiting. They loved interacting with my little girls. They laughed at their curiousness and even were very interested in how much they would weigh when they stepped on the baggage scale. (Madison 33 lbs, Jordyn 23lbs)

We boarded the train at about 6pm and had some dinner. We packed a little cooler full of food to make our little meals on the train. (The meals are EXPENSIVE, that you can buy). We packed sandwiches, fruit, cereal, and tons of snacks to have a day+1 worth of meals. Afterwards we hunkered down and went to sleep.

We found it easier to strap Jordyn in her carseat to help her settle down to sleep. There aren't any seat belts on the train, but there is so much room at our feet she fit with plenty of room. The rest of us spread out over our two aisles. Jordyn woke up for a couple minutes every time the train stopped, but went back to sleep each time.(she did a lot better on the train ride back)

In the morning we found ourselves in Denver. It then takes the whole next day and into the night to make it through the Colorado mountains and Utah. The day was LONG!! The girls loved walking around a little, but it was exhausting to watch Jordyn, since the train rocks a little and we didn't want her to fall and knock her head on anything. However, we made it. About 10 pm the next day.

Looking out the window in Southern Utah

We definitely watched shows on the iphone to pass the time

My two hoodlums

Eating a meal in the dining car

I am not sure if I want to ride the train again with kids as young as my kids. They took a lot of attention, and couldn't/didn't take the best of naps. They days dragged on. However, it was nice to have Jordan available to help and play instead of tied to driving the car. Pros and cons I guess.

Overall it was a fun adventure.... and I am glad to be home.