[thebaer]

I'm about to take the train from Florida to Oregon and I can't wait. I ride Amtrak up and down the east coast all the time, and will take it over flying any day.

Yes, the trains are often late. Yes, it's slower than flying and maybe even driving. But it's a journey. You can show up 15 minutes before the train leaves and still make it on board. You can bring snacks and some beer, meet people you never would've talked to otherwise, see parts of the country you'd never see otherwise.

You get to travel for the sake of traveling -- a rare pleasure indeed.