slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Thanks, Tuck.

Aside from health issues associated with Agent Orange and the 'golden years', I'm doing well enough. Monday, the 15th of April, I will be leaving for Sacramento to visit my son and his Family for close to a couple of weeks. Since I am traveling by AMTRAK*, I will be unable to stop off to see you near Camp Pendleton. The train will stop in L.A. for about 3-4 hours, awaiting a connection to Bakersfield and on north to their home in Mather - just outside of Sacramento.

They had originally had planned to visit us, but weren't able to maneuver around their work and school schedules to make it work for 'em. So, since I see them less than any of our Family, I decided to make it out there. Their son is now 10 years old and their daughter will be 8 on the 20th. Since Sailor's birthday is the 20th, 'lil Ben's is the 4th and mine the 15th, we decided to have party celebrating our three generations. I look forward to that.

With my diabetic issues, I decided driving was too daunting a trip on my own...so, AMTRAK was my choice. A round trip ticket was only a little over $400...less than the almost $500 cost of round-trip gas for the same trip. I will not have to worry about my blood-sugar possibly causing problems and there will be no wear & tear on my car.

Knowing that I would enjoy meeting you, I regret that I have yet to make it to your place. I am not ruling it out for the future, but given my age, circumstances have to be right.

In any event, thanks for the thoughts

Best to you and yours

*P.S. I'll remind you: I have an inordinate fear of flying.

Lily

Auntie says you always drive. Health preventing your diving?

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

AuntiE is right. I have always driven car(s) or our motor home. But, in the past year or two, I have had several low blood-sugar episodes. Fortunately, most have been at home. Low blood sugar causes problems such as loss of equilibrium or balance and at worse, can lead to my passing out. I have reached the point where I can't/won't take the chance on a long drive across the country. Due to a lifetime fear of heights and flying, AMTRAK seemed to be a logical choice.

The only other time I took AMTRAK was in 1977. We still use the motor home for nearby camping/fishing trips with the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.

NotMAGA Loc: Upstate NY - in a very red county

Those low blood sugar episodes can be scary. A dear friend with diabetes would have one occasionally, on time it was when we were out fir a drive. Turned pale, sweaty, shaking... I drove us back to his house.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Yes, they can. On AMTRAK, I will be free to enjoy the scenery and carefully monitor snacks and drinks.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

Lon,
I don't blame you for not flying. I won't fly anymore given the inordinate amount of trouble Boeing, the airline industry, and the FAA seem to be having as of late. This will give you a chance to see some of the countryside at a slow restful pace instead of staring down a highway. I like traveling by train.

Damn, wouldn't you know it? I have plans to go out of town on Monday. Otherwise, I would drive up to L.A. and meet you at Union Station for your layover. We could have gone to Philippe's across the street from Union Station for a beer and sandwich. It is kind of an institution in L.A. for French Dip Sandwiches. https://www.philippes.com/

If my schedule changes, I will send you a private message and get your train number and the time you are arriving in L.A. before you have to board the bus to Bakersfield and resume your train ride to Sacramento. You'll probably have a chance to see the CA Stonehenge, (Our High-Speed Rail Project boondoggle that is stalled with no track yet having been laid and billions over budget.)

Anyway, have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Don.

NotMAGA Loc: Upstate NY - in a very red county

👍😊

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

I answered your pm a few minutes ago and am excited at the prospect of sharing some time across the table from you. Be forewarned, though, as my arrival in L.A. is about 5:30 on the morning of Weds. the 17th, and leaving four hours later for the trip north to Bakersfield, then on to Stockton & Sacramento. I will send my schedule via pm later today.

I hope it works out that we can share some time chatting while I wait to finish the trek in seeing my son's Family.

Lon

Liberal Lily

No, more like a big sense of humor!

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

We aren't getting any younger, and who knows when we will have another chance to meet.
I look forward to seeing you Wed. Morning.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

No, we aren't getting any younger...that's for sure.:am17: