Peter Kun Frary, Professor of Music • University of Hawaii, Leeward
Peter Kun Frary, Professor of Music • University of Hawaii, Leeward
Amtrak at Sunrise • Northern California • Photo by Peter Kun Frary
Canon EOS Elan 7E, EF 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS USM, Fuji Sensia 100, FS4000US Scanner
From the indignities suffered at security checkpoints to the cramped and noisy cabin, airplanes are an unpleasant means of travel. If I could reach my destination my any other means, I would never patronize another air carrier. Why pay good money to be felt up, x-rayed, searched, insulted, fed bad food, squeezed into a sorry excuse for a chair and suffer ringing ears? On the continental USA, I used to take commuter flights from city to city to save a few hours. Now I rent a car or take Amtrak and enjoy the journey.
If you've traveled on trains in Asian or Europe, you probably noticed they were fast. Even the slower trains run at or near freeway speeds and are surprisingly smooth--no worries about spilling your beer or shoving a spoon up your nose. Amtrak, as pretty and well appointed as it is, is slow and bumpy. I suspect USA tracks aren't as well maintained as those in Europe and Asia. Sad, as otherwise Amtrak would be my first choice for interstate travel. Being at the wheel of a rental car for hours on end is tiring.
And, yes, I rolled out of my sleeper compartment, slipped outside and snapped this image of my Amtrak car at dawn. Amtrak is still a great way to travel and being slow is an advantage if you enjoy scenery or taking pictures.
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