Well there we were, 6 hours to go and what to our wondering eyes should disappear...our train! You heard me right. The amtrak empire builder is...wait for it....out of commission due to flooding. The best part? The train people never notified us that on june 24th our train trip was canceled!! Now before all you friends in town get excited we might actually still be in town, Jessy did some "firm negotiating" with amtrak and 3 hours ahead of schedule we landed a trip down to Sacramento where we were lucky enough to unload and reload our kids and gear. Let's just say that coach isn't cracked up to all it could be. I honestly don't remember why I was so relieved to see the room we had available when we sat down on the first leg because come two am I was freezing my ass off with a cranky 3 year old squirming around on me saying she needed me to move out of the way so she could stretch out. I think my leg was numb for some 5 hours! But this was where the fun began! No sleep for the Momma's! At 5 am, we launched from the train onto the platform, already stinking, to search for coffee and a place to plant ourselves in the glorious station for 6 hours....Did I say 6 hours? I think it was actually one entire life. I felt like I was trapped in a Stephen King novella. The was one exciting detail the kids were thrilled about...an orange tree in the the parking lot! That is until we peeled one of them and took a bite. There is so much to talk about! I don't think I have ever been so glad to see a starbucks. Hell, it could have been a dunkin donuts! Give me coffee now, dammit! (so I can sit for 6 hours in a train station) Back onto the train and then the majority of the trip passes with relative ease...given we are with 6 kids...hahaha. I am so glad I have a healthy sense of humor. Jess and I are great tag teamers as well, thankfully. Breaks are a must with this crowd. But, can I just say, Chicago? Oh, Chicago. I am from the Midwest originally and this station exemplified every thing that I hate and left behind. The one redeeming factor was my "baby" brother. He is not even remotely close to being a baby but he holds my tender heart in his smile. Two blissful hours of his presence. And after an incredibly stressful load onto yet another set of coach seats of the last leg of this adventure, we were on our way to Massachusetts. The last four hours were a spastic chaotic hysterical juggling act, the kids were so excited. And now? AND NOW? WE MADE IT! WE ARE HERE IN HEAVEN! I cannot believe my good luck. Whew!
-c
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