This is a travelogue of a long train journey by AMTRAK which took me from Austin, TX to Seattle, WA and back. This was my first train journey in the US. (I am from India, where trains are the primary means of commuting between cities) I deliberately took the most circuitous route so that I can see as much as possible on the way. Train travel is fun. It is a wonderful way to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature. This trip was a fascinating experience for me -- I saw amazingly diverse landscapes -- flat plains in the north, snow covered peaks and glaciers in the northwest, sunny beaches in the west and arid desert in the south, all within a span of two weeks! I also met very interesting people, experienced some memorable incidents and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I maintained a diary during the trip and wrote this travelogue after my return to Austin.
Chandra Mouli
LCMouli@Micron.Net