A re-post, for those of you who may have missed it the first time around......
No, they're not really twins, and one of them has just exited his teens, but it sounded good!
And yes, my two oldest sons, 20 and 18, have departed on their month-long journey around the U.S. on the Amtrak with their North American Railpasses. They left Seattle Thursday morning headed for Santa Barbara, CA, where they will hang out for a few days with a friend who is living and working there for the summer. From there they will proceed to Springfield, Missouri where they'll hang with some cousins. On to Cleveland, Ohio (and to a small town) where the grandparents live, and their younger brother is attending a summer program, and to Boston, MA where they'll visit the 20-year-old's Italian exchange sister, who is studying English. The return trip will be through Canada to Vancouver and then Seattle on ViaRail. And who knows where they'll stop along the way??
As a family, we traveled by train through Canada to Ontario and back through the U.S. in 1998, coach one way and sleeper car back. Twice more we made the cross-country trip by car, in 2000 and 2002. Now it's no more trips by car for mom and dad unless it's the meandering kind; it is killer on the body to drive all day, day after day.......though the kids love it. Hence the train trip.
Last evening before departure, we took them out to eat. We gave them our advice, to the tune of rolling eyeballs and disclaimers of wisdom. At least we gave them our warnings and tips.....reserve your seats a day in advance.......make sure the traincar you're sitting in is going where you want to go.....give each other space when you get irritable.......they are strong young men, and travel-savvy with public transportation, so we aren't TOO worried, just the usual things......thugs and terrorists and so forth....and will the 18-year-old be able to keep a gluten-free diet? I bought him a case of Tiger's Milk Bars just in case......and provided a care package of food for them.....they plan to eat out of grocery stores for the most part.
Bon Voyage, my travelers! Love ya both!
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Comments: 21
Donald, would love to hear about your train trip!
Memories ~ Grace Among Thieves
Memories ~ The Goof 1
You both hit the heart of the matter, "Don't worry Mom, they'll be fine....."!!
(you and Donald)
And yes, hubby and I are enjoying our "second honeymoon"--but so much freedom is overwhelming, what will we do????????? :-))
Sounds like good advice for life too.
"So we packed a case of cigarettes and mrs. Wagner's pie and we went off in search of America"
Canada is gorgeous and British Columbia certainly is worth taking a look,
i think that travel is the best education you can find.
my boys are two years apart Alison, oh, you give me so much hope..
i wonder where mine will travel to..
now that my girl is away at summer camp, the boys have been coming closer and further apart, mostly closer, i am sure they will becoming even better friends!
They are fortunate to be so close in age and to be good friends!
i guess that is why i wanted so much to have another son for the one i had already,
when it goes well, it is fantastic!
i always had to travel alone..
i am sure that all will be well and that you did a great job bringing them up
a great adventure! And of course ya'
gotta give the some rules to go by!
On to the next one!
An Evening Love