I feel so bad. I saw you there talking to someone and had to run and never got to grab you say hello. I saw Stefanie, too, but I only yelled at her in passing. I got one day there and as far as your train ride is concerned, once I took that same train from Ventura County to San Jose, California, and it took us 14 hours (when driving, it takes about 6.5). Ugh. I hope your experience was way better. Too boot, they charged 13 bucks for a glass of wine in the dining car. Overall, I liked the experience, but was unhappy when I discovered that freight trains got the right of way and us passengers just needed to sit and wait even though we had our own deadlines!
On the way back, they called us and said that the train was about 10 hours delayed. We cancelled our return tickets and rented a car instead. I wish trains were more convenient. I hate airplanes.
take so long was the most relaxing part about it. :)