Recently, we took a great trip to Flagstaff on Amtrak. We arrived at the Lawrence station about 15 minutes before Amtrak No. 3 arrived. We parked our car at the station (no cost). We pulled our luggage about 10 yards to the platform (no lines). When No. 3 arrived, a steward took our baggage and stored it. Our beds were made up.

We rocked gently to sleep and awakened about Garden City. We had a nice breakfast while visiting with an interesting couple. We went for miles just watching the great scenery roll by. Part of the time, my wife was in our compartment and I was in the glass-roofed observation car (no road rage).

At the hour servicing stop in Albuquerque, we purchased a few pieces of jewelry from the Hopi craftsmen and toured a bit of the city.  We had a nice dinner back on the train while watching the sun set. We arrived in Flagstaff rested and content. Our friends met us at the station (no cost for parking). Our return trip was just as pleasant and convenient. We consider each day on the train as a relaxed vacation day that also gets us to our destination.