Day 36 Nov.22 2010

today was the big travel day. 

my whole reason for choosing to train up to MI instead of flying was for the baggage options...everyone knows in order to check bags on a plane you're looking at $50/bag...not cool, especially since i was looking at a months' worth of WINTER clothing for bug and i, cloth diapers, winter shoes (which are bulkier than flip flops) and coats...the train allows each passenger 3 checked bags FOR FREE!  i was sold.  so i had my diaper bag, carseat, and carry on packed for the sleeper car and three bags that i was planning on checking.

it wasn't that easy.

come to find out there is a portion of track (like 10 ft long) that runs into canada.  my train was going on where NEAR canada, but it's all connected i guess.  so, because amtrack luggage before it gets check doesn't get inspected or go through customs michigan does not allow ANY checked bags to enter the state via amtrack.  AAAHHHH!  personally i felt this was very pertinent information to list on their website under the baggage restrictions and requirements, but that's just me.

so i was told in texas that i would have to get ride of one bag and the rest could be stretched to fit the "carry on" requirements.  so there on the platform in texas i was able to downgrade my luggage...the plan was to have my cousin drive up the rest of my clothes in a few weeks when he came up.  well, after the train was 45 min late, the attendants realized i was in a sleeper car and not a coach seat and i'd have a bit more room.  there was some slight bribery and all four of my bags + my carry ons made it onto the train.  the attendant happily told me that he could make this work for me up until chicago.  and i'd have to carry all of these bags myself to the next train and that one was guaranteed to be much smaller than this one and they physically would not have room for my bags...but that is all he said and the conversation was ended.  talk about leaving me hanging...

i called my dad and asked him to meet me in chicago.  at least the dinner that was included with my car was delicious!