My Next Journey

Anyone who really knows me knows that I'm somewhat of a rail travel nut. Perhaps it's the symbolism of the train or the excitement of a less used mode of transit that pulls me in.

When I ran Pixel Movement full-time, I was fortunate to have the ability to take extended working vacations. It meant that I could take an extra few days to get to my destination. Vacations weren't about getting there as quickly as possible. Instead, getting there was half (or more) the fun.

Back in 2009, I took the the train from Williston to Fargo after working on the farm on one of those working vacations. I hadn't ridden a train since I was 10, so I didn't quite remember what to expect. The second I stepped on-board, for whatever reason, it just felt right. It felt like this was the way you were supposed to travel and see the real America. The one that the planes fly-over. The one that major highways passed by. The America you read about in novels.

It wasn't long after that ride that I booked a trip to Seattle with Jessie. Taking the train cross-country in the middle of the winter was one of the most treasured moments of my life. It was breathtaking to see the expanse of countryside covered with snow as we sailed by at 79 mph in the comfort of our sleeper car.

Since that trip I've always wanted more. I've only been able to take one more long train journey since which, coincidentally, was from Seattle back to North Dakota.

I've wanted to take a journey, but time hasn't allowed it. That hasn't stopped me from creating the itinerary of a rail trip I hope to take.

Itinerary

• Day 01 - Depart Fargo, ND for Minneapolis, MN
• Day 02 - Stopover in Minneapolis, MN
• Day 03 - Depart Minneapolis, MN for Chicago, IL
• Day 04 - Stopover in Chicago, IL
• Day 05 - Stopover in Chicago, IL
• Day 06 - Depart Chicago, IL for Boston, MA
• Day 07 - In Transit
• Day 08 - Stopover in Boston, MA
• Day 09 - Stopover in Boston, MA
• Day 10 - Depart Boston, MA for Portland, ME
• Day 11 - Stopover in Portland, ME
• Day 12 - Depart Portland, ME for New York, NY
• Day 13 - Stopover in New York, NY
• Day 14 - Stopover in New York, NY
• Day 15 - Stopover in New York, NY
• Day 16 - Depart New York, NY for Philadelphia, PA
• Day 17 - Depart Philadelphia, PA for Washington, DC
• Day 18 - Stopover in Washington, DC
• Day 19 - Stopover in Washington, DC
• Day 20 - Depart Washington, DC for New Orleans, LA
• Day 21 - In Transit
• Day 22 - Stopover in New Orleans, LA
• Day 23 - Stopover in New Orleans, LA
• Day 24 - Depart New Orleans, LA for Memphis, TN
• Day 25 - Stopover in Memphis, TN
• Day 26 - Depart Memphis, TN for St. Louis, MO
• Day 27 - Stopover in St. Louis, MO
• Day 28 - Depart St. Louis, MO for Fargo, ND
• Day 29 - In Transit
• Day 30 - In Transit - Arrive in Fargo, ND

Eventually, I will have a post that covers each destination and why I chose it. And hopefully even sooner, I can make this trip a reality.