Roxy shares a personal travel story about taking Amtrak across the United States instead of flying, turning a budget rail pass into a lesson in slow travel, grief, and perspective. This episode matters because it is less about transportation and more about how the journey itself can reshape what you notice, feel, and remember. In this episode:

Roxy explains why she chose train travel over flying, including cost, timing, and the desire to experience every mile.

She breaks down her multi-stop route.

She shares how grief after losing a friend made slow travel feel necessary, not just appealing.

She compares the realities of Amtrak life with expectations, including sleeper accommodations, reclining seats, shared bathrooms, crowded cars, and inconsistent station staff.

She highlights the strongest parts of the trip: the scenery, wildlife, national parks, and the freedom to move between cars and spend time in the observation car.

She reflects on the social side of train travel, especially meeting strangers in the dining car and having deeper conversations than she would on a plane.

She describes standout stops like Joshua Tree, Saguaro, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Alamo, the River Walk, and the Chicago station.

She shares practical Amtrak advice for future travelers.

She closes with a broader takeaway: life is not about how fast you arrive, but how fully you experience the miles in between.

Action Items:

If you want a sleeper car on Amtrak, book early.

Pack layers and a raincoat for changing weather across regions.

Bring a refillable water bottle and a portable charger.

Download entertainment before boarding.

Spend time in the observation car if your train has one.

Try at least one meal in the dining car.

Expect delays and build flexibility into your trip.

Resources & Links:

Amtrak official site

Amtrak Rail Pass information

Joshua Tree National Park

Saguaro National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Alamo

San Antonio River Walk

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I would love to hear from you! If you have any stories about your travels that you want to tell, please send me an email with them at roxysworldadventures@gmail.com and they may will be featured on an episode of the podcast.