Signs of spring were just starting to emerge in Chicagoland, with more temperate temperatures on Thursday, February 25, 2021. And that evening, as I walked up my block to catch the Blue Line train east, navigating around large piles of snow that persisted from earlier in the month, I was on my way to jump straight to an experience of summer in the farthest southern reaches of the coterminous USA, in the Miami area. But this trip would be about more than being in warm temperatures, because it would also be a time to be present with family.
The daylight was fading as I reached downtown Chicago and entered Union Station, around 6 PM. I got great glimpses of the lingering sunset colors to the west along Jackson Boulevard, and the moon rising up next to the Sears Tower to the east.
It wasn't too long of a wait to hear the boarding call for train #30, the eastbound Capitol Limited to Washington, DC, the first train I would ride to reach Florida.
I felt the lurch of the train's forward movement right about on time at 6:40 PM CST, beginning a journey on a route I've become closely familiar with during multiple rides.
We soon exited Illinois and passed into Indiana, which brought to my mind thoughts of my friends from there and my time at ValpU.
Around 10 PM EST, I joined the Bible study hosted by Roy, one of those ValpU friends, by calling in to the Zoom session he hosts regularly. We finished around 11:40 PM, and I soon went to sleep.
(Please note, all times in this post are EST, except for going between my home in Oak Park and Chicago Union Station, which are stated in CST. And all photos in this post are mine, unless otherwise noted.)
The train got behind schedule during the overnight hours, and when the sun rose--please see photo below--on the morning of Friday, February 26, we were in eastern Ohio.
I watched the train pass into Pennsylvania, just east of East Palestine, OH, and then we reached Pittsburgh. By this point, it looked very likely I would be unable to make the connection to the southbound Silver Star train #91 at Washington, DC, based on how late we would likely arrive. The conductor explained that those of us to be affected by this missed connection should contact Amtrak's customer service number regarding our options. When I did so, I was told to wait until I arrived in Washington, D.C., to speak with staff there. I soon realized my options would likely be to wait a day to catch the next train bound for Florida, or get on an airplane to make the rest of my journey. I got a hold of my parents, who offered to help get me down to Florida without a daylong delay, offers that brought me great consolation. As I sorted through how to respond to this predicament, it was so soothing to watch the mountain streams and forests pass by outside the window. I also started listening to the audiobook version of Sisters First, by the Bush twin sisters.
As we got closer to Washington, D.C., I got a welcome surprise: The crew announced train #91 would be held over in Washington, D.C., for our arrival. So I would be able to travel south by train after all, although this would delay my arrival at my destination in Florida.
We reached Washington, DC, Union Station around 4:40 PM. The Amtrak staff escorted a group of us making the transfer over the platform where train #91 was waiting, and we boarded. I got myself settled, got connected to the Wifi, and got busy with various activities on the Internet. I also ate a vegan burger for dinner.
We ended up departing at 7 PM, because there was a delay in getting a diesel engine for our train going south, as the electric engine is only used for the Silver Star between New York City and Washington, D.C. After the stop at Richmond about 2 hours later, I got myself ready to bed down for the night. I awoke to glimpse some of the stops in North Carolina.
After stopping in Columbia, SC, between 5 and 6 AM, on the morning of Saturday, February 27, the daylight started to emerge. (Below, the photo shows the sunrise.)
At our stop in Denmark, SC, the train waited to depart while the engine's computer did some kind of upload, according to the announcement. We reached Savannah around 9 AM. Within 2 hours, the train crossed the St. Mary's River, and I was in Florida once again. When I stepped off the train for fresh air at Jacksonville--please see the photo below--it was clear that I had entered Summerland USA, with abundant warmth and sunshine.
We traveled along in northern Florida, with lots of tree strands and even tree farms, some of the memories I recalled of my last Florida trip 4 years ago. We had another fresh air stop at Orlando between 3-4 PM, with the sun and warmth still in full force. All the while, I kept company with the interesting mix of people riding the train.
We reached Tampa around 6:15 PM, as the sun was setting, although it took a long time for the train to do its reverse maneuver to enter the Tampa train station, and we got there around 7 PM. It was nice to see Tampa lit up at night, especially the area around Ybor City near the station. It was dark as we pulled out of Tampa and then started eastward, speeding along with little further delay. Meanwhile, the train crew handed out snack boxes, the third time they had handed out snacks as a way to make up for the delay.
The stop at Okeechobee in particular brought back memories from 4 years ago, as that was the station where I detrained. I rested in my seat after that stop until close to my arrival at Deerfield Beach, around 11 PM. I was grateful my parents waited up to get me. We headed straight to the family Subaru and then right to the resort, Club Wyndham Sea Gardens in Pompano Beach, and then to bed.
Above shows the seating in the common area leading to the balcony, and below is a view out the balcony.
It was a pleasantly sunny morning on Sunday, February 28, when I awoke. Dad came back from the nearby St. Gabriel Parish with breakfast for us made there: pancakes, sausages, and eggs. We then walked the 5-minute commute to attend Mass there at 9:30 AM.
The inside of the St. Gabriel sanctuary
After Mass, we returned to our accommodations, and spend the next few hours relaxing.
Mom and I went to one of the pools, and then I walked over to the Atlantic Ocean to put in my feet at the beach specifically designated for guests at our resort.
Later on, I walked to the Pompano Beach Pier.
Above and below are views from the Pompano Beach Pier
Around 4:15, Mom, Dad, Uncle Brian, and I got in the family Subaru, and headed to downtown Hollywood, FL. Uncle Brian had come along to join us per a last-minute invitation. We met up with Naomi and Eric for dinner at Krakatoa, an Indonesian restaurant. It was a distinctly interesting experience to try Indonesian food. I had a dish with beef, tomatoes, cabbage, and rice in a conical shape. I also had a Happy Soda, with boba bubbles and strawberry flavoring--please see the photo below that shows the food I had.
It was such a wonderful evening to pass the time in our alfresco seating, and be together as a family. I delighted to see Naomi and Eric for the first time in months.
One of our servers took this photo. Going around the table clockwise, starting from the far left of the photo is Dad, me, Naomi, Eric, Mom, and Uncle Brian, with the purple shirt.
Hollywood Boulevard was splendidly lit up as we walked back to our respective parking places a few blocks west of the restaurant.
Above and below are scenes in downtown Hollywood, FL, along Hollywood Boulevard
After reaching Pompano Beach, but before returning to the resort, we stopped at Publix to grocery shop, including for tomorrow's outing.
Mom and I woke a little bit on the early side the next morning, Monday, March 1. By 6:30, we were at the beach to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic. The sun looked marvelous as it broke through clouds low on the horizon--please see the photo below.
A little later, I joined Dad for Mass at St. Gabriel at 8 AM. Following breakfast, around 9:00-9:15, we three departed for our day's excursion to Everglades National Park. By 11 AM, we had arrived at the park, and stopped briefly at the Ernest F. Coe Visitors' Center. We drove on a major park road from there to the Flamingo Visitor Center. We stopped at various points to walk on trails and view the great diversity of plant life in the Everglades. There were spots with clusters of trees, but also wide swaths of sawgrass that look very much like the wide open prairie spaces of the Great Plains.
Around 1 PM or so, we reached the area by the Flamingo Visitors' Center. We found a picnic bench to eat lunch, which was sandwiches we got from Publix. I was impressed with my lemon sage turkey sandwich. While there, we saw an alligator, or perhaps a crocodile, resting in the water near a boat launch ramp. Going to that particular spot established a new record of the southernmost extent I've traveled in the conterminous USA.
Then we turned around and drove back along the same road, stopping more than once to take short hikes. We saw lots of white birds.
The Pinelands Trail
Above is the view from the Pa-hay-okee Overlook. Below is a photo Dad took of me posing on the observation platform of the overlook.
Above is a view of the walkway by the Pa-hay-okee Overlook.
Above is the walkway in the Mahogany Hammock.
About an hour or so later, we exited the park and drove back to Pompano Beach. We arrived shortly after 5 PM, and I went to the central pool in the resort complex with the remaining time available before they closed. When I returned to our unit, I watched the sunset over the Intracoastal Waterway--please see the photo below. We had dinner around 6:30.
Mom and I went back to the beach shortly before 9 PM to watch the moonrise over the Atlantic. It started as a small reddish ball and then rose higher to take on the usual white glow of the sun's reflection on it. The photo below shows the moon well above the horizon, with glimmers on the surface of the ocean.
The next morning, Tuesday, March 2, following breakfast, Mom and I went to the pool. By 11 AM, we were ready to begin our day outing to Miami. By noon, we had arrived in Miami City Center and found a parking spot in a lot underneath I-95. We walked west on 8th Street, seeking to take in the Cuban flavor of the street, which slowly became more noticeable the further west we walked. We stopped for lunch at Fonda la Chismosa, a Colombian restaurant.
I had beef with tomatoes, rice, and platanos maduros, or cooked plaintains, which you can see in the photo below. I traded some platanos with Mom so she could have some and I could have some of her tostones, or fried plaintains.
Once we finished with lunch, we continued west, and the heat was more intense, feeling close to 90, with plenty of sunshine.
Above shows the view looking east along 8th Street.
We stopped for ice cream at Azucar. I got the flavor called Abuela Maria, with cheesecake, pieces of graham-like cracker, and some kind of berry flavor. Then we turned back east, and switched over to 7th Street to return to the family Subaru.
Then we drove the short distance to the condo of Naomi, Eric, and Weasley, arriving around 2:45. Eric met us at the building door, and when we reached their door, Eric held Weasley back. Weasley was so wound up upon our arrival, and it took a while before he settled down on his blanket in the entryway. But then I roused him again when I attempted to pose for photos with him. Dad must have taken 13 shots before he got one with Weasley looking toward the camera, as he squirmed so much, and even gave me a dog kiss--two of those photos are below. I sent these photos to my colleagues at work, who got a kick out of them, as they remember all the stories about him from the first year he was in the family.
Naomi arrived home from work a few minutes after our arrival and joined us in our visit. Eric had the big news to share about his new job, rendering this visit our last with them in Miami as their home. Around 3:30, we three departed, and soon enough, we were crawling along I-95 in the thick of PM traffic.
Upon reaching Pompano Beach, we stopped at Publix again before returning to our resort. Following dinner, I wrote postcards, and then got ready for teaching Religious Education class at 8 PM. It was kind of fun to host class from Florida, and I'm grateful for the wonders of INternet technology that made it possible. I referred back to my last trip to Florida when I visited Mission Nombre de Dios, where Mass was celebrated for the first time in the present-day USA. Once class was over, I walked over to the Atlantic to listen to the soothing sound of the waves at night for one final time.
The next morning, Wednesday, March 3, I was up around 7 AM. After breakfast, and getting myself packed, Dad and Mom took me to the Deerfield Beach station. We took a scenic drive along A1A. Below is a photo from that drive below by the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse.
Amtrak train #98, the northbound Silver Meteor, arrived shortly after 9 AM, and I was on my way north. I recognized the car attendant crew from the southbound train a few days before.
It was special to ride the train through the length of the Florida peninsula as a way to celebrate the anniversary of Florida's statehood on March 3, 1845.
The view of I-95 from onboard the train
Once we got past West Palm Beach, we headed in a northwesterly direction through large swaths of orange groves, a quintessential Florida scene. Slowly but surely, the train filled up with passengers.
For lunch, I enjoyed another lemon sage turkey sandwich, which I had bought again at Publix because I enjoyed the one before so much.
It was still warm and sunny when I stepped off the train at Orlando for fresh air around 1 PM.
By the time we got to Jacksonville, there was a distinct change in weather. It had evidently been raining earlier, and the sky was still cloudy, and the temperature felt like it was maybe in the 50s, a departure from summery weather for sure.
Soon enough, I departed Florida as the train crossed the St. Mary's River and headed into Georgia. When I stepped off for fresh air at Savannah, the temperature felt as in Jacksonville, but it didn't feel as drastically cool.
Shortly after that stop, I joined my faith-sharing group by calling in to the Zoom session as we crossed the Savannah River into South Carolina. We wrapped up within an hour by the time we reached Yemassee.
At North Charleston, I noticed the splendid station remodeling that had taken place since the last time I was there when I had a trip to North Myrtle Beach.
I stepped off at Florence, SC, for fresh air and then got settled back for sleep.
We picked up some delays overnight, and the train was running about 2 hours late by the time it reached Richmond, VA. The sun shone brightly that morning of Thursday, March 4, as we hugged the Potomac River heading north toward the Washington, D.C., area.
Shortly after 9 AM, I disembarked at Alexandria. I walked over to a nearby commercial complex and found some breakfast at a local coffee shop. Then I headed to the King Street Metro Station and rode a few stops north to Pentagon City. Then, I walked over to my AirBnb accommodations on the other side of the Arlington Ridge. Once I get settled and then oriented for my day outing, I walked back to the Metro and rode it to Brookland-CUA and then walked over to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. My visit there reinforces how Washington, D.C., has become a sort of spiritual pilgrimage destination for me, in addition to the aspect of how it is the seat of the US government.
I arrived there well in advance of the 12:10 Mass. Even with all the limitations in place for visits, it was still an awe-inspiring experience to sit in the Great Upper Church and gaze around and up at the immense beauty, especially with the recently completed Trinity Dome.
Following Mass, ushers directed everyone outside, and I re-entered the church to shop in the gift shop for Holy Spirit socks, and then light a prayer candle.
I then meandered through the nearby neighborhood to see if there was a suitable place for lunch. I kept walking northeast, intending to visit the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land. I soon stumbled upon San Antonio Grill, where I decided to sit down and order a tasty taco lunch, with great service from the staff.
Then I walked east to the monastery, which has recreations of sites in the Holy Land. While the church wasn't open, I walked around the grounds and gardens.
I then walked back west to board the Red Line train at the Brookland-CUA station. I ended up at the Tenleytown-AU Station, which had a Capitol Bikeshare Station. I got a bike and headed northwest on River Road. Within a short distance, I reached Western Avenue, where I exited the District of Columbia and entered Maryland--please see the photo below of the intersection of River Road and Western Avenue.
As I continued, I followed the land up and down along low-rising hills. I mostly followed River Road, and then switched for a short distance on Goldsboro Road, which took me to Clara Barton National Historic Site, which preserves her home in Glen Echo--please see the photo below. As I biked toward the street leading to the home, I saw a group of teenagers on a run, and I'm fairly certain among them was Justice Brett Kavanaugh's older daughter Margaret.
After taking a look at the home and getting some photos, I retraced my path back to Tenleytown. Once I docked the bike back at the station, I walked to Fort Reno Park and summitted the highest point of elevation in Washington, D.C., at 410 feet.
Subsequently, I walked back to the Tenleytown-AU Metro Station and started my way back to my accommodations. While riding, as I flipped through a walking tour guidebook, I noticed that there was an outdoor exhibit at the Department of Transportation building. I decided on a whim to postpone my arrival back in Arlington and go see the exhibit. I transferred to the Green Line and rode it to the Navy Yard-Ballpark Station. It was after 6 PM when I arrived, and the daylight was fading from the sky. I walked around the DOT building and looked at the displays on the development of transportation in the USA.
As I rounded the west side of the building, I looked straight northwestward up New Jersey Avenue to see the dome of the US capitol, splendidly lit up at night--please see photo below. It was a special scene to behold on March 4, the anniversary of when Congress first met, thereby enacting the US Constitution, and also the day designated in the past for many presidential inaugurations.
After 7 PM, I arrived back at the Pentagon City Metro Station. On my walk back to my accommodations, I stopped at Harris Teeter and got myself a meatball sandwich for dinner and a yogurt parfait. I then relaxed and unwound in my room, which was a fine space, shown in the photo below.
A little later, at 10 PM, I joined my friend Roy's Bible study group again.
I was up by 8 AM the following morning, Friday, March 5. After some time in my room, about 10 AM, I departed for my outing of the day. The temperature had dropped into the 30s, and with strong northwest winds, it felt like the 20s, quite a contrast from earlier in the week. I rode the Metro from Pentagon City to McPherson Square. I had the intention of looking around Lafayette Park, but it was barricaded. So I walked west to see the Embassy of Mexico, as shown in the photo below.
Then I walked east and north to the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, arriving around 11:30. The photo below shows the exterior.
I spent time there in quiet prayer of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The Cathedral is a stunning place.
I departed there after noon, and walked around the nearby neighborhood, looking at statues and embassies, seeking to bear with the cold as much as I could. I saw embassies for the Philippines, Peru, and Australia--the last of which is housed inside the National Geographic Society building, which you can see in the photo below.
By 1 PM, I got back on the Metro at Farragut North, and headed back to my accommodations. I got packed up, and then boarded the Metro one final time for this stay. It was another chance to take in the amazing views as we crossed the Potomac and then passed by the sites of the park areas by the west side of the National Mall before entering the tunnel.
I arrived at Union Station around 3 PM. One of the scenes I enjoy viewing there is Columbus Circle, lined by all the state flags. Also while there, I shopped for more state pins at the Alamo Flag shopping stand. I also went to get something to take for eating on the train: I stopped at Einstein Brothers Bagels to get a Veg Out Bagel sandwich. Then I was on my way toward the platform to board Amtrak train #29, the westbound Capitol Limited to Chicago--please see photo below.
Train information board at Union Station. Train #29, the westbound Capitol Limited, appears toward the top, on the 4th line from the top, with yellow surrounding the word "Boarding".
We departed right about on time at 4:05 PM. I settled in as the District of Columbia gave way to Maryland. I enjoyed the tasty Veg Out bagel and also listened to more of Sisters First audiobook. I stepped off to walk around on the platform at Cumberland. After I went to sleep, I woke up to walk around when we reached Pittsburgh, and then admired the lights of the city as we headed away from the Amtrak station there.
The next morning, Saturday, March 6, I watched the sunrise over Toledo as we waited to move around a dysfunctional freight train.
After sitting at the station for a long time, we ended up going in reverse out of the station for quite a distance to get on different tracks so we could head west. It was a pleasantly sunny day as we headed west into Indiana, passing through large fields. After South Bend, it was nice to see the scenery of the Dunes country in Northwest Indiana, and then glimpses of Lake Michigan.
We arrived at Chicago Union Station around 11 AM CST. After getting a bite to eat, I boarded the Blue Line, and was home around 12 noon CST, with a nice spring feel to the air and plenty of sunshine.
Southern Florida's biggest draw is warm temperatures and sunshine, with much development to cater to those who want to soak in all of that. Yet I couldn't help but feel a strong sense of connection to nature during my stay in Florida. It was so wonderful to go for a short walk to the Atlantic Ocean, and the soothing nature of the sound of the waves stood out to me like I have never noticed before in my life. I felt so drawn to keep going over the beach to listen to that sound. It gave me a whole new sense of Florida as a place to go for rest and relaxation.
I also got a newfound appreciation for the nature of Florida by visiting the Everglades National Park. The signage on the trails certainly went a long way in helping me learn more about and appreciate the great variety of nature in the Everglades, down to the fine details, in addition to the vast, sweeping vistas.
That is one place I was eager to visit on this trip, having heard so much about it, just as was the case with visiting Calle Ocho, considering it contributes to Miami's distinct Hispanic, especially Cuban, component. I had thought we might end up eating some Cuban food, but the Colombian restaurant had a delicious meal, and much of the cuisine aligned with dishes typical to the Caribbean region. Calle Ocho is certainly a colorful place, and I enjoyed seeing the Cuban themes and decorations while strolling.
And, of course, this trip was special as an opportunity to be present with Naomi, Eric, and Weasley, to reinvigorate those ties I have with them. It touched something within me to have the joy of visiting with them, with the fine meal we had in Hollywood, and then in their home in Miami, especially as a way to mark the end of their time in Miami before their move.
But beyond seeing those three, I noticed that Mom more than once expressed her delight that I could be present in Florida with her and Dad. It was a long time coming, since circumstances prevented me from traveling with them the last time they went there. Truly, it had been a long time since I joined Mom and Dad for travels, and it was special to have this opportunity, to share the experience of reconnecting with Naomi, Eric, and Weasley, not to mention all the great sightseeing.
I also reconnected with my deep-seated penchant for traveling and seeing new places. The last time I went to Florida was truly a time of discovery about a place I knew much about, but had yet to fully experience, and this trip was a way to build on that venture of discovery. Traveling by train set the tone well for making the most of this experience, even despite some of the hassles and delays. I could really connect with where I was traveling to by taking a different pace. This trip demonstrated once again how Amtrak gives me more than just a service by transporting me from one place to another, but truly giving me an experience, making me ready to mark Amtrak's 50th anniversary on May 1, 2021.
I was glad to incorporate an overnight stay into the experience of tris trip, which gave me lots of time to sightsee, even more than what I've experienced before on layovers that are just a few hours. Considering Eric's announcement that the three of them would be moving to Arlington, VA, as he started a new job in Washington, D.C., it was even more fitting to visit that city and its environs, and to spend the night in Arlington.
Furthermore, given how important faith is in my life, I always seek to have a distinct spiritual component to my travels, and there are so many beautiful churches and church institutions in Washington, D.C., that can make it a spiritual experience. Especially in a time when new government terms start, it was fitting to be there and in a spirit of prayer for this nation.
And as the days drew near toward my milestone birthday when I turned 30, it was so marvelous to have this trip and reconnect with those aspects that speak to who I am as a person.
One other profound part of this trip has to do with teaching RE class, and it was apt that I paused my vacation for an hour or so on Tuesday evening to have class. While doing class virtually may not be the most ideal format, it certainly helped we did class virtually this year so I could still be with my students even while 1300 miles away from Oak Park. At the start of each year, it has become a custom for me to share that God is a vast mystery, like the ocean, and it seems nearly impossible to comprehend fully Who God is. But God wants to be in a relationship with us, and so He reveals Himself to us in many ways, giving us floating devices so we can swim in the ocean. My job as a catechist to give my students floaties and teach them how to swim. I hold up a floating device when sharing this metaphor, and then I hold it up at the start of each class during the year.
Wanting to be consistent with my usual way of starting class, I packed that floating device and brought it with me. To make the metaphor more real, I took it with me on one of my many walks to the beach, and dipped it in the Atlantic Ocean.
I am grateful to God that this trip had many opportunities to become aware of, in new ways, the deeper realities of life.
These three photos below were all taken by passersby, who kindly granted my request for photos.
Here I am by the public beach at Pompano Beach. I got this photo after two women stopped me to ask that I take a photo of them.
Here I am at the Atlantic shoreline, swimming in the "Ocean of God", as I tell my RE students, with the floating device I show at the start of each class..
Here I am posing by Amtrak train #98, the northbound Silver Meteor, at the station in Jacksonville.
