I HAD TO TAKE MY FOCUS FROM ISSUES AROUND ME - DEATH IN THE FAMILY AND CANCER TREATMENTS - AND "...LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS...", BY TAKING AN AMTRAK TRAIN TRIP. I WAS THEN ABLE TO PUT EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE. GOD IS IN CONTROL. GOD IS MY HELP...

I had a nice night on the double decker train last night. The train from Atlanta was a single 'story' train, and I felt so confined and found it hard to sleep sitting up. But this train had two levels, with observation, snack and dining car. I slept in the observation car where I could stretch out. I also met some interesting people while sitting in the lounge. One was a writer. A journalist and playwright who also writes for children. We had an interesting conversation, plus she gave me some good tips on how to progress in my writing. ***** I am now in Chicago. It is freezing here. As I got off the train I was hit with a blast of arctic air. It is only October! This Union Station is a little different from the one In Washington, D.C. For one thing there is more construction, although it seems large, just not well laid out. ***** I also learned something about 'Union Stations' - A union station (also union terminal or joint station) is the term used for a train station where tracks and facilities are shared by two or more railway companies, allowing passengers to connect conveniently between them. The term 'union station' is used in North America and 'joint station' in Europe. Historically, a union station was used by all passenger trains serving the city. Today, this is not necessarily true. In Chicago, Illinois, for example, commuter trains use Union Station and three other terminals, while the city's Union Station handles all intercity traffic. **** Union Stations in North America Indianapolis, 1850 New London Union Station, 1887 Portland, Oregon, 1890 St. Louis, Missouri, 1894 Alexandria, Virginia, 1905 Washington, D.C., 1908 Salt Lake City, Utah, 1909 Worcester Union Station, 1911 Winnipeg, 1911 Kansas City, Missouri, 1914 Denver, Colorado, 1914 New Haven, Connecticut, 1920 Ogden, Utah, 1924 Chicago, 1925 Toronto, 1927 Cincinnati Union Terminal, 1933 Los Angeles, 1939

Well, I am on the first leg of my trip - Atlanta to Washington, D.C. Union station is amazing, lots of shops and people and amenities, really high end. I just wish I had more money so I could buy something at each stop. I'll do this again, its a great way to travel, I spent the night on the train and will again tonight on my way to Chicago. So, the clothes changing and washing is the only issue so far. I get to Sacramento in about three days and meet my sister, a hot bath sounds heavenly, and it's only been one night. ;-)

VACATION!

HALLELUJAH! I GET MY VACATION, IT HAPPENED IN THE MOST AMAZING WAY. WHEN I STARTED THIS JOURNEY OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I LOOKED FORWARD TO A VACATION ONE DAY WHEN ALL THE TREATMENTS WOULD BE OVER, I WANTED A TRAIN RIDE AROUND THE COUNTRY, DIDN'T KNOW HOW, AND DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE YEAR WOULD BE LIKE. BUT GOD KNEW - HE KNEW WHAT THE TREATMENTS WOULD ENTAIL, HE KNEW HOW I WOULD BE TREATED BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, FOR GOOD OR EVIL. Isa 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward.