All Aboard

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, y'all and all aboard, We're going to talk some
more trains. You know. So I do all kinds of
different informational podcasts trying to educate, make things more stress free,
bring some information or some some things to your attention

(00:21):
that maybe you wouldn't think about otherwise. So trains. You know,
before this, the only thing I thought about a train
was when I get stuck at the you know, the
railroad tracks, and I have to wait forever. I'm like,
good lord, what year is this that I'm waiting thirty
minutes for a train to go by? Man, I'll tell
you what. When they first presented me this, well, let's

(00:41):
do one on trains, I'm like, are you kidding? I mean,
that's that's I'm already bored and I hadn't even started it,
you know, much less all the research and the rioting
and all that kind of stuff that goes along with it.
But I'm gonna tell you something totally wrong. This has
probably become one of my favorite podcasts that I've done
and that I do, to the point where I really

(01:05):
want to go on a train. I'm got the point
I don't care where it is. I just want to
go hop on a train. I to be like Frosty
the Snowman and just heading north head somewhere on a train.
Of course, I would prefer to be one of these
luxury trains that we've been talking about in the past
couple of weeks. But you know, I'm dead serious because
I don't ever remember thinking, oh, wow, you know, Amtrak

(01:29):
might be an option or this is so I mean,
I've heard like the Orient Express and things like that,
but never in the US. I thought those days were
over with. But I'll tell you what, I am way
wrong and I cannot wait, cannot wait until it is
my turn to go on a train trip. Unfortunately, I
get so booked up so ahead of time it's hard

(01:51):
to break away and just change. I'm gonna tell you something,
it is going to happen, and when I do, I'm
probably gonna do some podcasts from the trains about to
train and how wonderful it is and it better live
up to my dreams. I mean it better, and I
think it will. Just just doing the research on this
just really makes me just you know, salivate the thought

(02:13):
of getting on a train with my wife or my
family and heading cross country and enjoying every cliffe klack
along the way, right. Yeah, I know it's a little cheesy,
but I like it. So, you know, last time we
were talking about the Rockies and you know, all the
snow capped peaks and all that kind of stuff. Well,

(02:36):
now we're going to talk about some desert dreams. And
what we're going to talk about today is the Southwest Chief.
My father in law used to call me chief. You know,
at first I didn't like it, and then I liked it,
And now that he's gone, I sure miss being called
chief anyway. So the Southwest Chief, it's Amtrak's route connecting

(03:00):
Chicago to Los Angeles, offers a captivating journey through the
heart of the American Southwest. This isn't a journey of
towering mountains and rushing rivers. It's a tail whispered in
the wind across the vast desert, etched in the ancient canyons,
and painted across the vibrant sunsets. It's a journey of

(03:22):
contrasts where the dark beauty of the desert landscape meets
the vibrant culture of the Southwest, diverse cities and towns.
I can picture this in my mind right now. I
think it's really good. We've been watching a lot of
Westerns lately. I don't know why, but we have, and
I can totally picture, at least in my little mind,

(03:45):
how this would look, with the deserts and the little towns.
And you know, maybe doesn't look that way now, but
that's what I'm picturing. So let's just go with it. So,
boarding the Southwest Chief in Chicago, you leave behind the
bus sling city scape and embark on a three day odyssey.
The initial leg, traversing the planes of Illinois and Missouri

(04:08):
is a gentle prelude to the dramatic scenery to come.
The train a comfortable cocoon of rolling rhythm and gentle
sway allows the landscape to unfold slowly, inviting reflection and contemplation.
This initial section, while not as visually stunning as later portions,

(04:30):
is nonetheless integral to the journey's character. It's a transition
of preparation for the stark beauty and vibrant history that awaits.
The rhythmic clatter of the wheels, it becomes a hypnotic accompany.
It a constant reminder of the journey's progress, a comforting

(04:51):
lullaby against the changing vistas outside the window. As the
train rolls westward, the landscape gradually transforms. The lush green
fields give way to the rolling hills, then too expansive
plains of Kansas and Oklahoma. Here the sky seems to
stretch endlessly, a canvas of varying shades of blue, occasionally

(05:15):
punctuated by dramatic cloudscapes, and a shift and morph with
the relentless movement of the sun. The towns, often small
and unassuming, offer glimpses into the heartland of America. Their
quiet lives unfolding alongside the train steady passage, just a
journey that lets you witness a slower pace of life.

(05:36):
Being a Southerner, I sure can't enjoy that, a welcome
contrast to the hectic energy of larger cities. You'll see
fields of wheat stretching to the horizon, reminding you of
the vastness and aging and in agriculture role heart. Excuse
me on that one of this region. You might even
spot cattle grazing peacefully in the distance, a testament to

(06:00):
the enduring connection between land and its people. And then,
as if by magic, the landscape begins its metamorphosis. The
subtle transition to the desert is marked initially by challenges
and vegetab vegetation. The green fades into browns and yellows,
a palette reflecting the harsher environment. The expansive plaines gradually

(06:22):
give way to rocky outcrops, the first hints of the
canyon and maces that define the Southwest. This is where
the true magic of the Southwest chief begins. The journey
becomes a visual feast of spectacle of color and texture
that shifts throughout the day, from the pale hues of
dawn to the fiery intensity of sunset. New Mexico unfurls

(06:44):
its beauty with the drama of the vast emptiness. The
train snakes through wide open spaces, offering glimpses of ancient
pueblos nestled in the landscape, remnants of a rich and
enduring culture. The colors change. Deep red, fiery oranges, and
muted browns of the earth dominate the scene. You'll pass

(07:06):
Mesa's flat topped mountains that rise dramatically from the desert.
The desert floor monuments to the power of the geological time.
The sheer immensity of the landscape is humbling a reminder
of the vastness of the American West. This portion of
the journey a meditative experience, a chance to appreciate the

(07:28):
quiet beauty of the desert, the dramatic play of light
and shadow on the ancient rock formations. You start to
understand why people are drawn to the Southwest unique beauty,
its mysterious charm. As you approach Arizona, the landscape transforms again.
The desert takes on a new dimension. Tapestry of cacti, yucca, plants,

(07:53):
and other desert flora uniquely adapted to this aired environment.
The dark beauty of the on around desert is awe inspiring,
a vast canvas of textures and colors that shifts with
the light. This part of the journey requires more than
just a passive observation. It needs engagement. You'll find yourself

(08:15):
drawn to the intricate details, the resilience of life in
such a harsh landscape. The desert is not empty. It
is full of life, subtly expressed in the diverse flora
and fauna. The approach to Albuquerque is a highlight, a
gradual unveiling of a city nestled in the Rio Grande Valley.

(08:36):
The contrast between the urban sprawl and the surrounding desert
is striking, a visual reminder of the delicate balance between
human habitation and the natural world. The city's unique blend
of cultures Spanish, Native, American and Anglo as a is
reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and vibrant atmosphere. Stepping off

(08:59):
the train and Albuquerque provides a unique opportunity to explore
this rich tapestry of cultures, a welcome break from the
vastness of the desert landscape. It's an opportunity to get
into the culture, to experience the authentic taste of New
Mexican Mexico cuisine, and to appreciate the architectural style that

(09:21):
speaks volumes about its past. Love to see that. Continuing onward,
the train cuts through canyons, a testament to the forces
of nature. The Grand Canyon through not directly passed. Though
not directly passed, casts its powerful presence across the entire journey,
a silent guardian watching over the land. The train itself

(09:42):
becomes a participant in the vast landscape, a tiny metal
snake slithering its way through the immensity of the natural world.
The approach to Flagstaff offers another chance in scenery. The
high desert landscape designs to reveal its own unique character.

(10:04):
Ponderosa pine forest that reminds me of Oh that TV
show you know, hass and Little Joe. Ponderosa Anyway, Clinging
to the mountain sides a welcome contrast to the low
lying desert. Flagstaff, a town nestled at a higher elevation,
offers a different climate and different perspective, a cooler air,

(10:27):
change of pace. It's a chance to feel the contrast
of the Southwest variety. It's diverse landscape compressed into a
single journey. From Flagstaff, the journey continues to the final
destination of Los Angeles. However, the essence of the Southwest
Chief isn't just about reaching the endpoint. It's the journey itself,

(10:48):
the transformation of landscapes, the contrasts of cultures, and the
sheer beauty of the American Southwest. It's the quiet moments
of contemplation, the stories whispered in the desert wind, and
the slow unveiling of the land as a train progresses.
The Southwest Chief is more than just a mode of transportation.

(11:10):
It's a window into the soul of the American Southwest.
It's a journey that invites introspection, a chance to connect
with the vastness of the landscapes and the rich history
of the region. It's an experience that blends the thrill
of adventure with the tranquility of rail travel, a perfect

(11:30):
balance between the dynamism of the landscape and the comfortable
rhythm of the train itself. It's a journey that will
stay with you long after you disembark, leaving behind an
imprint of images, feelings, and memories that will shape the
way you view the American West forever. The rumble of
the tracks, the vastness of the desert, the cultural richness

(11:54):
of the Southwest. These elements combined to create a narrative
that transcends simple travel. It begins a journey of discovery,
personal adventure that will resonate long after the journey's end.
For those seeking a profound and memorable American experience, the
Southwest Chief offers an unforgettable adventure across one of the

(12:16):
most dramatic and culturally diverse regions in the United States.
It's a journey into the heart of America's Southwest, a
testament to the enduring allure of train travel and an
experience that will leave you breathless, enchanted, and forever changed.
I think we need a moment of silence after that.

(12:36):
That was awesome and I would definitely put that on
my itinery. I've got a lot of train trips to
take here in the near future. And hey, y'all, let's
not forget that. It's springtime, man, I mean, it's time
to all of your reservations and stuff and start making
book those trips for spring. And absolutely a train trip

(12:57):
should definitely be on your schedule, so you know, until
I talk to you next time. You know, God bless
and hurry up because this train is leaving the station.