Hah.. You guys just CAN'T leave it alone can you?..:)
Quick summary..
1) walked up and down the platform at Green River for 40 minutes trying to out-run the mosquitos!
2) There are NO bathrooms at GR... But there are no people either so the railroad tracks became the "tree".
3) They have manual lights for the platform controlled by a timer switch.. Ooh, something to play with!.. The lights also attracted the mosquitos!
4) Heard train in distance.. Hauled pack onto my back.. The train was approaching at speed, wasn't sure the driver was going to stop (I nearly said "engineer" but that far too offensive to those of us who are. Then again I can't drive a train either). I stuck my thumb out in case said driver decided it wasn't worth stopping.. I was the only one after all..:)
5) Can I check my bags?.. Nope!.. But you can in Sacramento.. OK.
6)Nothing.. Nothing.. Coffee brewed at seat.. Nothing.. Instant noodles at seat.. nothing.. slept not bad.. More nothing.. some scenery.
7) Some kind of commotion, mutterings about some drunk guy downstairs.. "guy is hassling some ladies".. OK time to go downstairs to "check on my luggage".
8) Said drunk/beligerant guy hanging over the seats occupied by young ladies with horrified facial expressions.
9) Guy sees me giving him the "direct gaze".. "Hey bro whats going on".. OK his attention is now turned away from said ladies.. I feigned a friendly conversation as I sized up how aggressive he might be..Not at all.. He was "friendly drunk" being annoying. Just then the conductor showed up, obviously alerted by other passengers from upstairs.
10) pulled into Roseville where he was ushered off the train for the smoke break.. Conductor asks if I know him.. Fearing I might get turfed off the train as well.. I'm like heck no! I'm just keeping an eye on him... Much muttering between 2 conductors about leaving him at Roseville or letting him back on to Sacramento.. They let him back on.. Oh great now I get to deal with him.. And yes I had a new "best buddy" following me through the tunnels at SAC train station.. Great!
9 hour layover at SAC was kinda fun (albeit too long).. Details on the Whatapp Group.. Involved 2 crazy people, a prostitute (who did offer me a discount), McDonalds (Trump wasn't there), a boat on fire, street Salsa dancing (I made new friends) and cars that jump up and down!
11) Boarded train in SAC, sat next to young man and gave him the FIRE schpeel
@FIFoFum will be proud..:). Got in trouble with conductor for talking loudly during quiet time.. oops.
12) Didn't have two seats to myself so moved to the observation car where I slept across 3 seats.. Slept good and was not disturbed.
13) rest of trip uneventful.. Met by HRH... She really does exist!
14) train stopped swaying 2 days later..:)
Will I do it again?.. Not incredibly likely.:)
