Follow the Yellow Brick Rail

We took Amtrak for the first time to Kansas over the weekend to see Michael's family for his Grandma Georgie's 80th birthday party. Danae got to meet all of her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and Fluff (on Michael's side). There are several pictures, although, I didn't get a few key pictures I wanted, everyone was getting so many pictures taken since there were so many family members there that it was hard to get in any specific ones I had in mind...like one with Danae and Grandma Georgie.

All of Grandma's immediate grandchildren...Michael, Carrie, Annie, Christina, Lindsay, Michele & Candice.

Michael and his dear sisters...always the comedian

In the Valentine dress Gramie bought for her

Grandma's children: Marilyn, Jan and Virgil

The great grandkids: Koebe, Danae, Eden, Easton, Brittney, Carson, Bryson and Jarren

Grandma and Grandpa Luebbers

Grandpa Jake

Danae did so well on the train there and back. If I had a dollar for every time someone said "she is being so good" we could have at least had a free meal!

So, how does driving the Kansas route compare to taking it by rail? Here is my list of notes:

Some pros to taking the train rather than car:

Don't have to keep the driver awake (we hope)

Don't have to say "stay in YOUR lane Michael"

No road construction

Don't have to worry about wheather conditions (for the most part)

Can get up and move around and still be traveling

Can eat a nice meal while still traveling

Can hold Danae when she gets fussy

Can change the diaper while still traveling

Play games together

Some cons to taking the train rather than the car:

Don't have to smell the B.O. of the man behind you everytime he moves around

Don't flash your "girls" to the person who opens the bathroom door while I'm pumping because the lock jiggled open (not once...but twice)

Don't have to listen to the "gangsta" behind us talk to his 'home girls' on the phone