No, they're not real twins....they are my 18- and 20-year-old sons, traveling around North America on Amtrak and ViaRail. Otherwise known to themselves as B- and C-Dawg! No real names are used in this article.
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THE DAWGS LEFT SANTA BARBARA last Wednesday, July 18th, heading south to L.A. in order to catch a train east to St. Louis. They reported having tons of fun kayaking, swimming, skateboarding, shopping and having a great time with their friends and their friends' families in S.B. They got to see some cool country en route (read "hot") as they crossed the desert country of Arizona and New Mexico, and made their way northeast across Colorado and Kansas. They enjoyed meeting and playing cards with other passengers. There were no major delays this leg of the journey.
THE DAWGS REALIZED EN ROUTE that they could get off at Kansas City and save themselves another 12 hours on the train, and the distance was about the same either way for Cousin "Jazz" in Springfield, MO to pick them up. Jazz' car had gotten rear-ended by a "Little Old Lady" so he arrived in a rental car. Fortunately he got his car back the same day, and the boys reported it to be a "really cool-looking" Dodge Charger (for those who appreciate these details).
THEY CRASHED ON JAZZ' COUCHES for a few days and got to go to a Minor League game on Friday with Uncle Morris, Jazz, and Jazz' sister Lou. The Springfield Cardinals played the Wichita Wranglers. They had awesome seats behind the Cardinals' dugout. An old man played "America" on his harmonica in the seventh inning. A broken bat flew into the stands two rows behind them and hit a woman with its blunt, unbroken end. No reports on the seriousness of the injury. Everyone did "duck and cover," however.
SATURDAY C-DAWG WENT TO A GOLF TOURNAMENT with Uncle Morris and Cousin Lou--almost all family members are into golf. C. saw a yellow jersey (golfers who are in the top 25 semi-pro) hit an eagle on the eighth hole. Does anyone know what that means? What is an eagle if it's not a bird? B-DAWG went with Jazz to the bookstore and bought the new Harry Potter and has been immersed in it ever since. He is usually our non-reader, so even C-Dawg was impressed. A steak dinner with Uncle Morris was planned for the evening.
AS OF THIS WRITING, the Dawgs hadn't determined the next destination of the trip, but hoped to go on to New York if their Cousin Connection there worked out.....
Stay tuned for our next episode of TTT!
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Comments: 17
I just talked to the boys--B-Dawg got sick with a headache and sore throat this weekend and spent all day Sunday on the couch!! Brother C-Dawg was supposed to be in charge of the first aids and meds and food, and he left them at the cousins' when they left.....and now their train to Chicago is running late, and they will miss their connection to Boston......
And of course I am worried, B-Dawg has been the one with the medical problems in his not-so-distant past. They are expecting Amtrak to put them up overnight at a hotel. I hope this works out and they can get some rest..... "Don't worry, Mom," said B-Dawg, "I'm getting better, I don't have a fever anymore...."
And I'm pretty sure they'll never forget the food and meds again! :-))
B-Dawg is doing a little better each day..... Last night, because their arrival in Chicago was late and they missed their connection, Amtrak gave them vouchers for cab and hotel. So today they got to sleep in and then bum around Chicago. They went to Barnes & Noble and to a movie......and leave tonight for the overnight to Boston.
Today I chatted on MSN with C-Dawg's Italian exchange sister in Boston......they will meet up tomorrow morning.
A return comment and a 10
THANKS for viewing my articles and pics!
Then truckin to Sprigfiel, Mo. having a blast!