AMTRAK & THE GRANNY MULE

This weekend I had the pleasure to serve as the "family’s mule." I was responsible for delivering grandchildren between cities and summer parents. How did I get the position? Well, it seems as though every one works--me too. But, I lost to the toss of a coin, or I conceded to the pleasure. How was I to deliver the two children....by train....AMTRAK. Why? because it is "inexpensive," can you imagine $17.00 per child and $28.00 each way for me. The family won on the cost of the gas to drive from Miami to Lakeland, FL and the time off to transport the children. It would have cost more than $300.00 by SUV, so AMTRAK & Granny won.


On Friday when we left from Hollywood, FL to Lakeland, FL the train was on time, clean, and the staff was exceptionally professional. The young conductor assured every one that he would assign seats, so if any one is in a seat that he needs for a disabled person, for grandparents with children, or for groups with small children, or any one with a special need; he would appreciate it if they would surrender their seat and take another assigned seat without protest. After his announcement, I looked at our tickets to make sure we weren’t sitting in an unassigned seat. I raised my hand to inquire about our seats because he started moving people, and I wanted to be in compliance. I could not find a seat number on the ticket for the life of me. When he finally got to us, he stated that we were fine. I didn’t realize that my grandson, and I were one of the grandparents traveling with a grandchild tags.


On Saturday, when we returned to Hollywood, FL from Lakeland, FL the train was to leave at 12:41 pm, so we were on time because I am a control freak. My son, the chef, left his kitchen to escort his daughter and me to the train station. When we checked in, the station master told us that the train was late. The train was expected at 3 pm. I told my son to leave us that we would wait at the station for the train. Before he left his kitchen, he had put a pork roast in the oven, so he felt he could not wait the entire time with us. He anxiously watched his watch, but I knew he needed to be some where else, so I assured him that we would be fine. The station master said, "I guess you won’t have any thing nice to say about us now, huh?" I told him that all in all every thing was still fine with me.


While we were waiting for the train, we met a nice young man from Perth, Australia. He was so homesick for Perth that I thought he was going to cry. He has been travelling for sometime, and he had run out of money. He can’t find a job in America just to earn enough money to buy food or even needed articles because of his visa. He wants to return home to Perth where every thing is familiar to him. However, he has to make up his mind if the love for the young lady, he is chasing around the world is strong enough for him to tough it out in the USA. We gave him water, sweets, and money to buy dinner since we couldn't invite him home. He got off at a different stop. I just want to say to be nice to the travellers.


The AMTRAK ride to Hollywood, FL was exceptional as well. The staff was very courteous, the train was clean and a cup of coffee costs $1.75, but it depends on the mood of the server. The restrooms got a litte raunchy toward the end of the trip I guess the train ran out of "flush" water.


Thanks to AMTRAK & the Granny Mule all the children are in place, attending camp or school or just plain having fun. I wish every one a great summer.


I just wanted to brag on AMTRAK. The service has improved so much I was thoroughly impressed. Kudos to AMTRAK...


I told them that I would mention them in my AARP journal.