Wanted to comment on this. Others might be able to comment on rail vs. jet vs. automobile.
Amtrak does have 3 routes from the east coast to the west coast. I have taken groups to the west coast from Michigan by train to Seattle from Grand Rapids/Chicago and back. In this case used the central route via Denver. I was stunned by the ride out of Denver. Truly amazing engineering to build that rail and those tunnels. We lost power for some reason outside of Denver. I was more than a bit nervous, it was pitch black. In the end no big issue. Coming back from Seattle did take the northern Amtrak route through MN. You have to check me on this one....was told at the time that the tunnel out of Denver OR the tunnel through the Cascades on the northern route was the longest train tunnel in the world. Correct me if I am wrong. Well, gave you 2 choices, so am wrong at least about one of them. About this list. To be honest, am surprised that there is not more talk about high-speed rail and mass-transit in general in the U.S. Seems like a topic that is working well in other parts of the world? Jonathon, a couple of comments to you. Traveling can be relatively inexpensive using Amtrak. If you want to go a long distance there are sleeper-cars available. They are not cheap! If you want to do the entire trip in a coach seat, give me a phone call....know some really good Chiropracters. You will probably need one. One of these years will have a booth at ESA. Thanks to all of your posts, have just gone through a week of flooding here in Michigan that is new to me. Also, many great thanks to David Inouye, Ph.D. out of the great State of MD for hosting this list. About the central Amtrak route, it is a field trip all by itself and especially out of Denver. No roads, nothing. Stunning landscape. Thank you. Mike Nolan ike the idea of taking a train to the ESA meeting, and train travel in general, but coming from the West coast, it would take almost 60 hours on Amtrak! If only we had a high speed rail line linking the eastern and western US... Jonathon Donald Masters candidate, Geography University of Nevada, Reno ---------- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef ****************************************************************************************** "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology" Destinations and Field Courses that we Specialize in: North America....Alaska (Southeast and the Interior), Hawaii, British Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park Caribbean....The Islands of Curacao and Dominica Central America....Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panamá South America....Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Galápagos Islands and Péru Mexico....The Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale Migration and Breeding season) East Africa....Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island Australia and New Zealand Birding, Photography, Botanical Garden Tours are available upon request to most Destinations that we offer. The following "Research Expeditions" are now also available upon request...Endangered Species of Brazil; Macaws and Primates of the Peruvian Amazon (Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone) and Endangered Sea Turtles of Costa Rica (widecast.org). Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs are available in Costa Rica, Panamá, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia and Spain. Sea Kayaking is available in British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, Baja Mexico, Belize and The Galápagos Islands. References/Comments from past Group Leaders and Individual Participants can be found at our Website (http://rainforestandreef.org/comments.htm), many more are available upon request. Rainforest and Reef 161 Main St. Coopersville, MI 49404 Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Fax: 1.616.604.0546 Google Talk/Skype: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (under revision for 2013 and beyond) ******************************************************************************************
