Disembarking from the Ferry, at The Port Of San Francisco. Photo taken by the author in 2026.
July 1st, is the beginning of the third quarter, and 5% cashback begins for travel and gas on some credit cards that give you cashback.
A friend mentioned that Discover Card is taking part in that offer, along with many other cards, so I looked into that.
I have been holding back on booking any trips for later in the summer, and the Fall, hoping to get this 5% cash back. I don’t do much driving, so the gas is not something that I purchase a lot of.
Look into what your credit cards offer, in regard to travel, and gas, and plan your purchases around these offers.
Anywhere you can save money, is free money, as long as you pay off your balance, in full, each month.
Photo is along the California Coast, south of Point Conception. Photo by the author in 2026.
When last seen, the intrepid travelers got sick on the 2nd trip using their USA Rail Pass, which you can read about HERE.
By the time they were symptom free, it was the final weekend of the pass, and the last thing they wanted to do, was get back on a train.
We were bummed out, but after about a week or so, I decided I would call Amtrak Guest Rewards, and find out if there was anything they could do, to help us get our missing 6 trips back.
It took over an hour to get to Customer Relations (you have to first call Amtrak Guest Rewards, and they will transfer you over).
The woman who helped us, offered us $150 credit on each of our USA Rail Passes.
We can use them for up to 1 year on any Amtrak trip.
That is totally fine by us, and hopefully, we will get somewhere using that credit. The only restriction is that if your trip is less than $150, you forfeit the remainder of the money. Make sure you book a trip that is longer in length, or purchase a roomette, for your journey.
This proves that it is worth asking Amtrak, if there is anything they can do when things go wrong.
The train meet of the Coast Starlight, at San Luis Obispo Station 2026. Photo taken by the author.
We don’t know what did it, or when we caught it, but when we returned from our 3-day trip to Oakland, CA, we immediately felt sick. This was our 2nd round trip on our 10-trip rail pass. We had two other trips already lined up, for the very end of the one-month window. So here we are, on the final weekend of our pass, not up for the extra exertion that a rail trip would ensue, and feeling just a bit sad about how this all shook out. We took a day trip to Oxnard, to start the 30 days off. We were on the Coast Starlight going up, and the Pacific Surfliner, going back to LA. The trip took longer than we expected, because we had to pick-up a disabled train, on our way back to LA. It took an hour to hook it up, and then test it. Because of this delay, we decided to leave the train early, and catch a commuter (Metrolink) train, at Burbank, which we would have missed, if we went all the way to Los Angeles. It made the trip about 2 hours longer, but we were happy that we got home in the light, and did not have to make the drive from Downtown. We did mask in all appropriate places, so we do not know if we picked up anything, but we seemed to get past that trip, without getting sick. Our next trip was the 3-day fast trip up the California Coast on the Coast Starlight. It took about 11 hours in total, to do the first leg. So, we were with the same group of people for the most part. Were any sick? I have no idea, but we did mask the entire time, on board. Our hotel room in Oakland was big, and seemed to be very clean. To get over to San Francisco, we took the BART. I will admit that it was very crowded both ways, but in good news, it did not take too long, at all. We were masked both ways. In San Francisco, we took a ferry to Angel Island and Tiburon. The ferry was not very occupied, so we did feel safe, though we did mask. We had dinner at a restaurant in the ferry building, that had no other diners, so though not masked, we felt safe. The next day, we were back on the Amtrak Coast Starlight, for our 11-hour journey home. We were masked again, but I did notice that my Husband seemed to be coughing a bit. The next evening, I was coughing and feeling miserable. Yeah, that fast. We don’t know which trip got us, but it took 2 weeks to get better, and feel like we could leave our house again. I did not test, but it seemed to be viral, and our Doctor prescribed Zyrtec and cough medicine for us. I am 95% sure it was not COVID-19. On a personal level, I felt like I failed, because I know better. Well, being seniors, we have a harder time to begin with, dealing with luggage, and getting around, but that will not stop us from occasionally traveling, moving forward. As to the 10 Pass, would I buy one again? Probably not, mostly because if you don’t have lots of time to just get on and off the same train, it is tough doing the entire thing in 30 days. The minute you get home from a journey, you really don’t want to go right back out on another one.
The Coast Starlight arriving at Union Station (2026). Photo taken by the author.
We waited until the final 30 days, to begin using our Amtrak USA Rail Pass.
You can take up to 10 trips with it, within 30 days. We bought it in January, but did not want to travel that early in the year.
So here we are, taking a day trip to Oxnard, to have lunch with a former work colleague.
We thought it would be an easy trip, hey, we are pros.
Not so fast, train rider, we are going to put a few things in your way, on this trip.
We bought our unlimited day pass for Metrolink, and spent an incredible $7.50. A great deal.
We arrive at Union Station an hour ahead of our Coast Starlight trains departure. Great, so we use the restroom, and sit down to wait.
We then see there is an long line to check in for the train, so I finally get up and check it out. Yes, we needed to get our seat assignment.
We then walk up to the track, and wait for the train. Glad we found out that we had needed to do that, though it seemed that they would also check you in on the platform.
The trip was going well, when all of a sudden, we hear that there is a hold, due to a train in front of us.
We passed the train at Camarillo thinking that we would not be seeing it again, on our return trip. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong.
We ended up about 15 or so minutes late, but our friend picked us up at the station, and we had a lovely time catching up, and eating at Andrea’s Seafood in Ventura.
He brought us back to the station in plenty of time, and so we used their restroom, and looked around.
What a beautiful station it is. Murals depicting historic events in Oxnard. The train comes about 10 minutes late, no big deal to us, but then they announce that we will be hooking up the disabled train from earlier, when we get to Camarillo.
They say it should not take too long. Yeah, right. 1 hour later we are finally on the move again.
So we missed an early train, and instead, ended up on a rush-hour train.
No biggie, but it was a 6PM arrival at home. Total time: 11 hours for a trip to Oxnard, for lunch.
Sunset at the TWA Hotel, in Terminal 5, of JFK Airport. Photo taken by the author. (2026)
We woke up at the TWA Hotel, and decided to get some breakfast. A New York bagel with egg and bacon and cheese (never a bad decision, IMHO) was enjoyed, and then we took a quick trip up to the roof of the hotel, to see the pool. It is fabulous, if you want a small infinity pool with an interesting view of airplanes moving on the ground, and taking off and landing.
We headed out on the air train, for our trip to Penn Station, to contine our journey back to Chicago.
We got to the Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall in plenty of time, and picked up our lunch there.
I have said this before, but they have great food at the Metropolitan lounge, the best I have had, and this was no exception.
Finally our train was called, and we asked for a Red Cap. Just an FYI, the Red Cap just carries your bags, you still have to walk to the train platform. So you decide if it is worth it. I personally appreciated the man showing us which car we were getting on, and placing our bags up into the train, so he deserved his tip.
Checking out our digs for this fast overnight train trip, we had the bathroom in the car, and the sink. It is not my favorite way to travel, but since we had 2 Roomettes, we just kicked out our partner, when needed.
To start, we went up along the Hudson River. Our side of the train did not view it, but that was OK, I saw it last year.
The first fresh air break is Albany, where the train connects with the Boston segment of the Lakeshore Limited train.
This makes it a long fresh-air break and everyone, and I mean everyone, runs to the restroom first (I think it is so funny).
Then you can buy souvenirs, or get gourmet coffee, at a place called Grind and Brew. Definitely it breaks up the trip.
Then we get dinner on the train and the sun sets, on another day.
By morning, we were already in Toledo, so it was not too far to Chicago. We ate breakfast, took a few photos and got ourselves ready to detrain.
At a little after 10AM, were were back at Chicago Union Station, where we said goodbye to our Son, and took a taxi to O’Hare, for our airplane flight home.
It was a good journey, and family bonding time. A rarity now days.
The view from TRYP Hotel, looking toward the New Yorker Hotel. Photo taken by author. (2026)
We arrived in NYC at about 10:30PM, and walked about 2 blocks to our hotel. TRYP, by Wyndham. It was an interesting hotel, that we spent very little time at. The rooms were small, but they upgraded us to 2 rooms, since we were three people, and that was fine for us. The shower was an “Interesting” experience, and the bed almost hit the wall on the bottom edge. Otherwise, it worked for us. I am not sure if I would stay there again.
Breakfast was at Jacob’s Pickles, on the Upper West Side, on Columbus Ave. We were meeting a friend of my son, who lives just north of the restaurant. We Ubered over to it, and it was not too expensive ($27), and since we had all our luggage with us, was better than taking the subway. My husband and I got French toast Challah, and it was excellent, with way too much food.
After we ate, our friend Ubered us to Jamicia Station, where we caught the Air Train to Kennedy. That got us our rental car, for the next 2 days.
Out to the Island we drove, stopping at the Cemetery where my Brother-in-law is buried, and my parents. That out of the way, I brought us to the laundromat, to wash our clothes. After that task was done, we drove to my brother’s house, and brought him to dinner. It was cool seeing his train set in person, since we normally only see it on Facebook.
After dropping him off, we set out for our hotel for the next night, Holiday Inn Express. It was less expensive than the ones near where I grew up (who knew). They gave us breakfast, which helped us with our costs on the trip, and with the leftovers from our dinner the night before, we did quite well.
We visited with my sister for several hours, and then, in the rain, we drove back to Kennedy Airport, to drop off our rental. After we did that, we rode the air train, to the TWA Hotel in Terminal 5. I had spent a night there back in November, and promised my husband I would take him there someday, and what a wonderful time we had.
After checking in, we decided to go to the sunken lounge, that had excellent drinks and inexpensive selections for dinner. We got Mister Softee ice cream for dessert, and in the morning, checked out the pool, getting some interesting photos.
On Monday morning, off we went to Penn Station, to take the Lakeshore Limited, back to Chicago.
A fast trip in NYC, but we got lots done in that time.
The New River in West Virginia. Photo by Author (2026)
I have wanted to ride on the Cardinal for several years, but due to the fact that it only runs 3 times a week, it is a difficult one to ride. It also was extended from Washington, DC to NY Penn Station a year or so ago, so that brought it closer to what I need, to visit with family. My son and I started looking at prices, and he found some that were particularly good around the Easter Vacation. For two of us (my husband and I), the Roomette was $817. We decided to book it from Chicago, to New York Penn Station. If I was going to do this trip again sometime, I think I would take the journey in reverse, from New York, to Chicago. Just a hint to people, that it might be even better that way. As to our journey, we boarded the train at 5:55PM, so you did not get very far, before the night hit. They do this so that you are in the sun during the spectacular New River section of the Appalachians (photo up at the top). I have taken the California Zephyr and totally loved the trip through the Rockies, but I want you to know that this rivals that experience. You have the mountains on each side, and the New River running through, for over an hour. I am sure it will be even better in a few weeks, when spring hits (we took this journey the first week of April). West Virginia, especially around the Capital City of Charleston, WV, is very beautiful, it has the Kanawha River running through it, and a really interesting waterfall. It is in the towns of Gauley Bridge and Glen Ferris. It is where the confluence of the New River and the Kanawha River meet. Virginia horse country is also very beautiful. Then you head into Civil War Battlefields (Bull Run) at Manassas National Battlefield Park, before heading up into the Washington, DC area by crossing the Potomac River, around dinner. At the station, they change power for the train, for the final push to NY, on the Northeast Corridor. We arrived at around 10:30PM into NY Penn Station. If you go this way, definitely try to get a hotel near the train station, since you are arriving late at night. Our hotel is right down the street, but there were lots of people smoking weed, and such. Not the safest part of Manhattan, but I had 2 other men with me, so I did not feel too bad about that. All in all, it was a great trip, and well worth the money.
Downtown Cincinnati, and the mighty Ohio River. Photo taken by Author in 2023.
One month to go.
My son and I have both wanted to take the Cardinal, and I said to him, next year, let’s make it happen, and so we did. Here is what Amtrak says about the Cardinal, (which is opposite of how we are taking it, we will be traveling east).
“The Cardinal operates between New York and Chicago, offering unforgettable views of the Southeast’s stunning natural beauty. You’ll see gently rolling horse country, the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, and the wild white-water rivers of West Virginia as they can only be seen by train. Heading westward, the train rolls along the banks of the mighty Ohio River — from the quaint towns of Ashland and Maysville, to the skyline of Cincinnati. From there, your journey continues to Indianapolis, and then northward to Chicago.”
I am really excited to see White Sulphur Spring West Virginia, with the Greenbrier Resort. Unfortunately, we won’t have time to make a stop and see the Greenbrier Bunker, but I have watched a video of it. In case you do not know, it is where the US Government was expecting to go, if the White House became a target during The Cold War. It has been made into a tourist attraction now days.
My son checked prices for traveling from Chicago to NY City, around the time of his Easter break, and we booked it, with the agreement of my husband. We booked my train trip first, and then he did his. We ended up with one of the roomettes being right next to the other, but the second trip, did not. So, I urged him to call the Amtrak Guest Rewards number, and get them to move him closer, which they did. By the way, our return trip to Chicago is on the Lakeshore Limited, which my husband and I have taken many times in the past, though this will be the first time my son has taken it. I am really getting excited about it, and as always, mask, if you don’t feel safe.
If you were thinking of purchasing the USA Rail Pass, Tuesday 1/20/26 is the final day to do so. I purchased my first pass on Monday, and I hope I can make it work out for my husband and I. I don’t have to think about it for a few months, since it is good until May 18th. Don’t forget that you need to use the pass within 30 days of first use, so for me, no later than April 18th, to begin my travels.
One thing I learned from the booking process is that if you have a voucher from Amtrak, it does not turn up on your Guest Reward account. You have to add it in, when you reach the payment screen. It is not easy to see, and easily missed. So if you have any that are still active, definitely hit the voucher link, and add the number given on the voucher. I saved $50 on my pass, even better! Have a great bunch of trips, if you buy it.
The heartland of America, Illinois. Photo taken by author.
Here it is! The Amtrak USA Rail Pass, is on sale, but the sale runs out on 1/20/26. The pass costs $250 this year, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The pass expires in 4 months, so you need to make your plans, within that time period. Once you begin traveling, you have exactly 30 days to complete the 10 trips. If you don’t take all 10 trips, you lose the remainder. It is also only good for a coach fare, no upgrades to Roomettes or Bedrooms, but if those things don’t bother you, you should definitely look into it. As usual, in situations like the Coach car, be prepared to wear a mask, if you feel there is illness around you.
