Trains? I Love Trains! A Fast Five!

 

I haven't done a fast five for a bit.  I've been doing a lot of traveling and had a lot to say, but I was getting behind and had a lot of notes, so I thought I'd throw a fast five out there for some ideas.  This week, it's all about the trains!

I've rather randomly picked out five truly famous luxury trains and their itineraries to discuss.

1.   The Belmond Royal Scotsman.  These trains are in no particular order and they are not all the same.  The Royal Scotsman is a luxury train with several journeys you can book to get a look at the rugged and beautiful country of Scotland without giving up comfort to do it.

Sometimes, it's not that easy to figure out an itinerary on your own, and that can be particularly tough if you only have that one chance to see the best of an entire country.  Train travel is one of my favorite ways to get around and I've taken a lot of trains.  I've never taken a luxury train, but honestly hope to one day.

The Belmond Royal Scotsman has several different choices from tours that revolve around gourmet food to wilderness journeys and even journeys that focus on castles or historic cities.  It's an amazing way to get a look at a country like Scotland.  The train is historic and has you living in the lap of luxury.  The comfort is highly regarded, the views are fantastic according to the guests and the locations the tours visit are carefully chosen by experts on what to and not to see in Scotland.  You'll enjoy the country, not have to pack and unpack along the way and live in the lap of luxury while you travel.

2.  Known as one of the most luxurious train excursions in the world, the Maharaja's Express is the premiere way to experience India.  Have you always wanted to see the Taj Mahal?  Rajasthan?  Jaipur?  It's all part of the journey on this train.

This train hails back to the British Pullman days and you'll feel like you've stepped back in time and are traveling with the royal family.  Every detail is made perfect for the passengers.  The staff do everything they can to give you an entertaining experience while you glide through India and experience the history of one of the more amazing places in the world.

India is a crowded country, and it's difficult to just find your way around.  This is one of those times where taking a tour can really pay off.  

  

3.    The Canadian.  This is a once in a lifetime journey.  This trip takes you all the way across one of the biggest countries in the world.  Canada!  There will be multiple stops along this approximately week long journey.  The best part is that you'll be living in luxury while the engineers and staff take care of everything. 

Not only will you have your own cabin, dining facilities, lounges and so forth, but the Canadian Railway has some of the best observation cars in the world.  The view is amazing, because it's Canada, and you'll have the perfect seats to watch it from.

4.    The Ghan.  Have you ever thought about seeing Australia by train?  Well, they have a number of luxury excursions, but the Ghan goes right through the heart of the country.  Being in the outback can sound dangerous and scary, but on the Ghan, you'll be riding in the lap of luxury the whole way and the staff can worry about the details.

There are several different lengths of excursions for this train alone, so you can choose how much of the country you visit and how long your journey is.  As with most luxury trains, the train cars are antique and there are various options for accommodations.  The Ghan has everything from dining to observation, lounge and even the occasional art exhibit on board.

5.    The Al-Andalus.  No one does it quite like the Europeans and no one does anything quite like Spain.  This train has excursions that are both by bus during some days and by train the rest of the trip.  You will get to see some of Southern Spain that isn't easy to see.  I tried it once and the whole thing fell through.  I probably should have taken the train.

You'll meet up in Seville, go to Grenada, Ronda and so much more.  You'll see some of the most amazing scenery and history in the world.  Spain has been inhabited by so many different peoples from Moors, to Romans, to the current group of Spaniards.  Each and every history is represented and this trip will show you some amazing things without all the hassle of trying to plan a trip through southern Spain.

So, if you don't mind spending the money, because there's not a trip here that books for less than $6,000; it's something to keep in mind.  Most of the trips have excursions included, meals included, lodging included and so much more.  The Al-Andalus has both train and bus excursions as part of their core tours.  The Belmond Royal Scotsman has a spa on board.  They each have their specialty.  They each show you a portion of the countries where they operate that you can't really see any other way.  I mean, would you really just rent a car and drive through the outback of Australia?

I don't spend a lot of money on travel most of the time, but remember, travel is also about the experience.  Train travel whether it's Metro North or the Maharaja's Express is almost entirely about the experience.  And face it, seeing the royal provinces of India is way better than seeing Greens Farms along Metro North.  It's all about the experience and with a train, you get a historic experience, great food, comfortable accommodations and tour guides.  It's something that you probably won't do more than once, but that one time could be great.  So, consider what you get for the price you pay, think about the hassle and worry you won't have, book a great trip and enjoy! 

https://eltrenalandalus.com/en/

https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/scotland/belmond-royal-scotsman/

https://www.maharajaexpress.co.uk/?https%3A%2F%2Fwww_maharajaexpress_co_uk%2F&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjww5u2BhDeARIsALBuLnOLElbBB6NiUwMZsRI-vu1myikHglO6pV67TcNHPbKPXKKbg2y2eIgaAnpTEALw_wcB

https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/the-ghan/

https://canadiantrainvacations.com/trips/cross-country-train-trip

https://www.irtsociety.com/trains/

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/worlds-most-luxurious-trains

https://www.railbookers.com/blog/a-guide-to-7-of-the-worlds-best-luxury-train-rides

https://theluxurytraintravelcompany.com/worlds-most-luxurious-trains/

We Had a Little Bit of Rain Here in the Northeast, so Current Issues to Avoid!

 

So, I've been taking a lot of trains this summer and going to some truly cool places, but as usual, Mother Nature had a little something of her own brewing.  Over the last 48 hours, Connecticut and other areas of the northeast have had way too much rain.  That being said, there's been some changes temporarily on the trains.

Sadly with numbers topping 12 inches of rain in some areas, there have been a couple issues.  There have been some roads washed away, some mudslides, and general flash flooding.  The Metro North folks weren't specific, but the Danbury Line is currently suspended due to floods.  The Waterbury Line had a mudslide in the Seymour area and is also suspended.  Neither line has an update at this time and there so far is no substitute service.

Reportedly, the other lines are running on or near on time.  There will be updates as soon as possible.  Be patient.  This doesn't happen often as the New England weather is honestly far more stoic on a regular basis than other parts of the country.  The weather is calling for more rain throughout the day today, 8/19/24, so we have yet to see what happens.

Metro North is posting updates as they have them.

https://new.mta.info/agency/metro-north-railroad

https://www.amtrak.com/home

https://www.cttransit.com/

My Latest Connecticut Adventure...Old Saybrook and Old Lyme!

 

I dragged my husband out for the day, and took him to one of my favorite spots.  I also had discovered that it was very close to a spot that I wanted to check out.  That made it sound like a great day out.  So, we didn't take public transport.  It was Sunday, and as much as I would like to say it didn't matter; it did.

Most Connecticut public transportation doesn't run at all or at a greatly reduced level on weekends.  It's the way of the world here.  On weekdays, you can catch the train to Old Saybrook from New Haven and various connectors that run through there.  It's not hard.  Once in Old Saybrook, you can take the River Valley Transit buses around.  They have local in Old Saybrook that go to my favorite spot.   They also can take you to Old Lyme, but there are only a couple stops in that area and there is no train stop in that town.

Old Saybrook is very walkable.  If you get yourself to Saybrook Point by bus, you'll find that you can navigate the area on foot if you like.  You can also walk downtown with no trouble and enjoy the shops and good restaurants there.  In Old Lyme the bus will drop you off at the marketplace with limited options, so unless you want to walk well over a mile to get to the attraction that I'm writing about, you may have to drive or catch an Uber or Taxi on Demand from the train station in Old Saybrook.  Just how it is.  Those options will cost around $12 one way.

Prices for the bus run from local daily fares of $3.50 for a day fare on local buses to around $5.00 for a long trip on a bus.  From New Haven on the Train is $7.50 each way on the Shore Line East.  Fares are less for students and seniors.  Still a good deal for the day.

One note that is different from a lot of places I've been visiting on public transportation.  Parking is free in the locations that I visited and will not impact your budget as it does in other locations.  The only parking you would have to pay for is at the beaches which I didn't visit on this occasion anyway.

My first stop in this area is always Saybrook Point.  The bus will bring you here and the area is very walkable.  The point is most noted for the Saybrook Resort and Marina.  This is a great place to spend a lot of money.  They have beautiful rooms, a spa, the marina if you happen to have a boat as your transportation.  If you want a unique experience, the resort does have a special room in the lighthouse they built at the marina.  It's supposed to be a romantic experience, so check it out.

It's great, but that's never been why I've come here.

What I  love about Saybrook Point is the view.  It's at the mouth of the Connecticut where it empties into Long Island Sound.  It's a beautiful spot where you can watch the boats go by, see the bridges and hang out.  There's a lovely little mini golf there that I've played with my son a hundred times.  My husband and I had a good time playing that day.

There's also a pavilion for any special events you may want to plan and a lot of open space along the water.  

There's a marshland and a park.  There's a park where the restaurant used to be before it was weakened and destroyed by bad weather.  There's also remnants of a train yard and roundhouse.  There's also a monument to the old fort.  

Old Saybrook had a fort hundreds of years ago, and unlike most forts that I've visited along the shores in Connecticut, it saw some action at one point.  The fort was most famously put to use during what's called the Pequot wars.  That was a long time ago, and now the Mashantucket Pequots are the very people we all give our money to at Foxwoods Casino.

The area right at the point is delightful.  There're even snacks available and drinks at the mini golf if you get hungry or thirsty.  We spent quite a lot of time in that tiny area and enjoyed it a lot.

 

After our time at the point, we went around the corner to investigate a couple other things.  Just around the corner and very walkable if you like to walk is the causeway that goes between points.  There are lovely views from the causeway which has a walking path on one side.  You can even fish in marked areas.  

Once across the causeway, you'll find a very upscale neighborhood, complete with waterfront mansions and a golf course that I'm pretty sure is only for residents of that neighborhood.  This happens in Connecticut, particularly along Long Island Sound.  Waterfront property is very expensive in Connecticut. 

But this neighborhood has a couple things worth messing with.  First, there is a road that runs through the neighborhood that is public.  That's good, because off the end of the point there are two lighthouses which are pretty and only viewable from afar on that road or by boat.  The Saybrook Breakwater Light and Lynde Point Lighthouses are both historic.  One sits on the breakwater and is inaccessible from land.  Lynde Point is on private land and only viewable by zoom lens or boat.

If anyone besides me is a fan of lighthouses, you'll know I had to get out my zoom lens, interrupt the rich people's golf games and get some shots.  Love it.  It was the scavenger hunt portion of my trip.  I got my pictures.  The locals were actually very nice and we went on our way.

When we check out a new place, we normally make a stop at a local brewery.  In Old Saybrook, we found Myrcene Ale company.  This small brewery made really good beer.  They had a variety of styles as well from IPA to Lager to Stout.  They also had some various snacks, like pretzels for sale.  It was a family place with lots of games and Lego building for the kids or adults; no judgement.  When we were there they had live music that was nice.  I must say that a lot of places with live music are very loud, but this guy was just right on the volume.  We enjoyed our visit very much.  I also learned that Amtrak has their own police.  Once again, this place is right next to the train tracks and a short walk from the Old Saybrook station.

Last, but not least we visited my new discovery.  New to me anyway.  This also was the part that was not actually accessible by any public transportation.  If you took the bus from Old Saybrook to the Old Lyme Marketplace and walked, it is only about a mile and a half, but that's up to the individual.  The park is Ferry Landing State Park in Old Lyme.

I loved this place!  It's inhabited by the DEP Marine Division.  There's a marina and boat launch.  There's a picnic area and park.  It has beautiful views of the bridges, both the bridge over I-95 and the railroad bridge.  You can see them both from the other side in Old Saybrook, but here you have a much better look.

I was interested in the railroad bridge.  In this park, there's a boardwalk that passes right underneath it.  You get a really good look at a unique bridge.  Because it's at the mouth of the Connecticut River, many boats, both large and small must pass.  The bridge over the highway is high, but the railroad bridge sits right above the water.  The center section lifts up when necessary to let boats through.  It's different and amazing.

The boardwalk has amazing views of the water and the shore.  There are several fishing spots along the way and a marsh on the other side.  I loved every minute of my visit and will be back.  The locals hanging out on the boardwalk were delightful and I highly recommend this place.

We had a great time.  We did stop to eat on the way home in Middletown.  My husband wanted me to try a great spot there for eats.  

I can say that this area has always been a go to for me from the moment I moved to Connecticut.  Also in the area are Essex with all the shipping and boating historical museums and such, plus some really great ice cream options.  There's also the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat tour which I've taken and love.  Not far up Route 9 are Devil's Hopyard State Park and Gillette Castle State Park.  There's a lot to see and do in the area.

So, if you're interested in seeing a relaxing part of Connecticut and enjoying a day outside with amazing views, come to Old Saybrook and Old Lyme and enjoy!

https://portal.ct.gov/dot/publictrans/bureau-of-public-transportation/local-bus-service?language=en_US

https://rivervalleytransit.com/

https://shorelineeast.com/

https://www.saybrook.com/

https://www.saybrook.com/stay/lighthouse-suite/

https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=798

https://www.nelights.com/exploring/Connecticut/conn_saybrook_nhaven_lights.html#gsc.tab=0

https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=797

https://www.myrceneale.com/

https://ctvisit.com/listings/fort-saybrook-monument-park

https://saybrookhistory.org/siege-battle-of-saybrook-fort-1636-1637/

https://www.patronicity.com/project/friends_of_north_cove_salt_marsh_habitat_restoration#!/

https://oldsaybrookct.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=11626

https://ctvisit.com/listings/saybrook-point-miniature-golf

https://ctvisit.com/listings/ferry-landing-state-park

https://www.cttrailfinder.com/trails/trail/ferry-landing-state-park

https://essexsteamtrain.com/

https://ctvisit.com/listings/town-essex?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiOy1BhDCARIsADGvQnAwfLu7d7VVgirJ91jHntXHKVobSsuZEYoO0xMd-R52HU-Czu93UXMaAvQHEALw_wcB

https://ctparks.com/parks/devils-hopyard-state-park

https://ctparks.com/parks/gillette-castle-state-park

My Latest Visit to the North Woods...Moosehead Lake Maine!

 

Once in a while, I take off for the north woods.  I've been there most times of the year, during the lockdown and on and on.  I've flown over, walked around, driven the backroads, watched cars race on the lake, taken the boat, gone kayaking, and been a tourist of many kinds in the area of Moosehead Lake, Maine.

There's something special about this place.  The people are special, the local viewpoint of life is special, the view is special, and of course the moose are special.  I first visited this lovely area, anchored by Greenville Junction, because I wanted to see a moose.  It was that simple.  Back in the early 2000's I went online and looked up where to see a moose in New England.  I was frustrated at the time, because a lot of my friends were traveling Vermont, New Hampshire, and even Massachusetts; bringing home pictures they took of moose.  I'd been all over and never seen one.  I was ready for my first moose sighting.

When I asked where to see a moose in New England, what came up was Greenville, Maine.  They reportedly had more moose than people.  I had to see that, and I wanted to spot a moose.

I packed up my family to take what would only be our first trip to Greenville.  I must say, there were more moose than people.  We saw a lot of them.  We learned a lot about them.  I've now visited several times, and I learned where the majestic moose hangs out and when.  Every time we went to Greenville, I got to see moose.  I even went up during the lockdown, while following a lot of pandemic rules.  That time we stayed in Kokadjo in a cabin and spent all of our time in the woods and on the ponds.  We still saw moose.

I've had a bit of a hiatus since my last visit.  Four years.  But, when my friend asked if I would like to go there for a girls trip, I said of course!  I was excited to share one of my favorite spots in the world with one of my favorite friends.

I've been so enthralled with the area over the years that I wrote a novel staged there.  "Greenville, Dynasty of the North Woods" was a labor of love as I had a lot of fun staging an action thriller in a really quirky fun town.  I had so much fun, and so did the readers, that I'm working on another novel.  I needed a cover picture, and I knew exactly what I wanted, so there were a lot of reasons to visit this summer.

I intended to show my friend the town, Aunty M's Diner, the trading post, the crashed B-52, and of course the moose.  It all made sense to me.  I'd done this many times before.  What could possibly go wrong?

Things eventually do change I guess.  Greenville was still fun.  Don't get me wrong.  Things were just different.  The Black Frog Restaurant had closed down, been refurbished and reopened as the Dockside.  They also had a dock based bar and snack joint called Rowboat Joe's.  Both were very good and we liked them very much.

Auntie M's was still there, but for some reason barely open and wasn't open at all during the days we visited.  No banana bread French Toast for us.  Bummer.  Flatlander's was no longer open.  The Stress Free Moose, Kelly's Landing and Woody's were as normal.

The trading post was as normal.  The Katahdin was sailing, but in need of some work which they are raising money for, so hopefully that will work out.  The flying services were as normal, although Jack's Flying Service is now run by his daughter and son in law.  Both very nice people and Josh is a wonderful pilot.

Lily Bay State Park hasn't changed, which is good.  We loved our time there.  Mt. Kineo hasn't changed, with the shuttle running back and forth from the island during the day.  The Jackman Trading Post, which should never be missed, hasn't changed much at all, but they no longer have ice cream.  The local outfitters and activity services are operating as usual.  There's a lot of good news.  You can still rent a cabin in Kokadjo.  All the resorts and hotels are still there.

However, there are some changes that weren't so great.  There's a new timber management company in town that all but bought out or merged with Plum Creek Timber.  This has caused some changes that I think are not good and fall squarely on the shoulders of the new bosses.  The Weyerhaeuser Company is in charge now.  They're out of Seattle, Washington.  From what I saw; not a fan.

It's been part of life for everyone to use roads within the area of the timber company.  After all, their land encompasses almost a full quarter of Maine. We all know that the state of the roads is what it is, but we're welcome to use them at our own risk.  Plum Creek always took good care of the roads.  I never minded driving on them.  Things have changed.  Very few of the roads are in any kind of shape.  I think the worst was the sheer idea of trying to go and see the crashed B-52.  It's a tourist attraction.  I know it sounds odd, but it is.

We tried on our first day.  There was a gate across the road.  No access.  I eventually asked the outfitters what was going on, because they always know these things.  The Weyerhaeuser group had set up shop, logging right there.  They'd blocked the road until 4 every afternoon.  When we did try and go up again, the gate was open, but the road wasn't drivable.  We never got to do that activity.  I felt bad, because I'd talked about it so much to my friend.

The spot where the company is logging is on the road to the B-52, across the road from Lily Bay State Park, and not that far from Kokadjo.  A lot tends to go on for tourists in those areas.  A lot of people go to those spots to see moose.

The one thing that everyone hopes to see in the Moosehead Lake area is a moose.  We were there for a few nights and saw nothing.  Remember, I have decades of experience at moose hunting with my camera around Moosehead Lake.  I couldn't find anything.  We did see a couple of moose from the air on the other end of the lake, but none while on the ground.

Keep in mind.  We had a wonderful time.  Should you visit Greenville?  Of course.  I would never stop going there.  It's still about the people and the view.  I love it there, and if I could figure out how to make a living, I would live there.

I just want to know when the new timber people are going to become part of the program.  This deal began in 2015 and they've been in charge for a while, but it doesn't look like anything is in the best interest of the locals.  They need to realize that the area has a way of life and that they are a key part of it.  I know y'all are sitting out in Seattle, not caring about anything but your bottom line, but please, get your heads out of the sand.  There's a whole ecosystem in Greenville.  It means a lot to them to have their timber jobs, their tourists, and their lifestyle.  Don't screw that up for them.

We saw moose and we saw Zoose, but we didn't see them in the wild.  I hope that the next time I visit, I can figure out where the moose went, so I can hunt some with my cameras.  I hope that in the future there's a way to visit the plane crash.  I certainly hope that the people of Greenville never change their lives or their spirit, because that's most of what I truly visit for.  

Will I visit again?  Of course!  Will I shame the new timber company into being more of a team player around Moosehead Lake?  I'll try.  So, still pack your bags, still come to Greenville.  My new book staged there will be out soon.  So, Enjoy!

https://investor.weyerhaeuser.com/2015-11-08-Weyerhaeuser-and-Plum-Creek-to-merge-creating-the-worlds-premier-timber-land-and-forest-products-company

https://www.weyerhaeuser.com/timberlands/forestry/us-northeastern/

https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com/

https://www.nrcm.org/programs/forests-wildlife/protecting-moosehead/plum-creek-moosehead/

https://www.northernoutdoors.com/where-to-see-moose-in-maine/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21108773178&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiOy1BhDCARIsADGvQnD7eOu6XjoIi4OUZuUxVQ6AbcflhuYsbLB_VGLPbqhHxfN7YWg5veEaAnWsEALw_wcB

https://www.nrcm.org/programs/forests-wildlife/protecting-moosehead/

https://destinationmooseheadlake.com/

https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/parks-natural-attractions/moosehead-lake

https://newengland.com/travel/maine/guide-to-moosehead-lake-where-to-eat-stay-and-play-in-greenville-maine/

https://greenvilleme.com/

https://lodgeatmooseheadlake.com/blog/2021/03/things-to-do-in-greenville-me/

https://visitmaine.com/organization/destination-moosehead-lake-visitors-center/18396d45-d0ad-4774-bcb9-b56241f0b6d8

https://stressfreemoose.com/

https://www.mooseriverlookout.com/post/unwind-at-woody-s-bar-grill-greenville-s-ultimate-spot-for-delicious-eats-and-entertainment

https://indianhill.com/

https://observer-me.com/2023/06/07/news/greenville-newcomer-opens-the-towns-2nd-coffee-shop/

https://www.docksideinnandtavern.com/

https://www.mooseriverlookout.com/post/discover-auntie-m-s-your-premier-breakfast-spot-in-greenville-maine

https://jacksairservice.com/

https://www.kokadjo.com/

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/moxie-falls

https://www.mainetourism.com/listing/mount-kineo-state-park/2983/

https://www.maineoutfitter.com/

https://northeastwhitewater.com/?y_source=1_MTQzNzAyMDgtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D

https://destinationmooseheadlake.com/a-guide-to-spotting-moose/

https://www.facebook.com/jackmanmaine99/

https://www.alltrails.com/us/maine/greenville

https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/d/united-states/maine/greenville/camping/all

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g4954632-Moosehead_Lake_Maine-Hotels.html

https://www.vacasa.com/usa/Maine/Greenville/

https://www.katahdincruises.com/cruises/