Training to from Montreal to Washington DC… We passed the widest river.

See the mountains on the other side?

Train, Montreal to Washington

Such pretty country

February 13 … An update

Last Tuesday, I bussed it into Montreal…. Moved into a hotel for a few days…. Wandered round for a bit… And then discovered that a winter snow storm was moving into my next destination, and last, Washington DC. All flights were cancelled for the next days. My flights were refunded to my credit card. So, there I was in Canada.

i managed to get one of the last train tickets to Washington, for Wednesday. Up bright and early. Montreal would not see my tourist meanderings, but at least I had been there before.

Train by 9.30am

Border crossing 11am

NYC train change 9pm.

Washington midnight. Me and a zillion others. All panicking re the storm.

There was snow all around, on the ground…. But woah! The last 3 hrs….. Sheesh.

At the station,there were no cabs. So, as planned, I phoned Julie and Andrew, my friends. The former upped and dressed, and drove in, on appalling roads… Four wheel drive saved the way.

Then she picked me up…. When snow blows horizontally, it is called a whiteout… Well, really blowing any which way…. Can’t see most ways…. Blizzard conditions.

Julie drove bravely and safely.

We got home by 2ish. Bed was welcome.

imagine, if you can, a disaster movie. Take a big city, oh like Washington. Remove every car from the road, apart from a handful of snow plows. Whiteout conditions. Day After Tomorrow conditions…. That was us!

Julie pointed out famous landmarks as we drove, but we could see nothing.

We have spent today, inside, talking and catching up.

Last day in Williamsburg!

Back to the colonial area and era. Two big places… The church, and the governor’s palace (his home). The latter was reproduction, but very well done. I think the photos tell their own story, so see below.

Lunch in an English pub, where chips mean chips! And not French fries! 

Dinner in a fab Mexican place…. Wish we had some back home. 

Lovely part of the world. Lovely hosts.

Dorothy lived in our street back in Brisbane. My older sister’s generation. She has known me since way before there was even a me!

 

———-

So now, Friday. A blessedly warm train, all day, to NYC.

Outside, coldcoldcold. 

Stage three of my long service leave…Williamsburg, Virginia.

Monday 20 Jan.

After spending the night in a Columbus airport motel, I flew into Wahington DC. Then I took a taxi to the railway station, and lunched there. Then I got on a train, and travelled to Williamsburg. Old family friends, Dorothy and Paul, met me.  Late.

Dinner. Bed. Charming house. Modern, but reminiscent of the famous Williamsburg colonial homes…. Colour, style and so forth. 

Warmish. Cold expected.

in Washington, the taxi driver did a bit of a tour thing. And I thought “Wow, those places are real. Not just pictures! “

Taxi, shuttle bus, plane, train… Modes of transport. Great to see parts of the USA. from a train window. Excellent wifi on the train.