If you have never taken a train ride, you have GOT to do it. I just jumped off the Amtrak train at Havre, Montana (Home of Big Bud) and I am having the time of my life!
The trip started out a little bumpy. The train was late due to an earlier derailment this week. Then I realized that I had left my wireless card at home. That was a MAJOR problem. I can not possibly be out of touch for a week. So I called my wonderful travel agent and explained my situation. Within an hour she had everything set up so that I could walk 3 blocks from the train station in Chicago and they would have a new card waiting. What a relief! You don't get that kind of service with Travelocity. Use a travel agent and keep good people employed!
Things were a little pushed getting to the ATT store and back to the train in a short amount of time. Did I mention I was dragging 200 pounds of luggage with me the whole time? When I finally got on the train, I was whipped. My wonderful Porter, Gary, led me to my sleeper car then gave me a bottle of champagne. He said "You look like you need this." When you have a sleeper car, they really take care of you. Another one of the porters, Chris, was awesome too! Great job guys! They make your bed, bring you warm cookies, wake you up when it's time to get off the train....it's a whole different world and much more laid back than airport travel.
Anyway, the train ride was great! They have chefs on board preparing the meals and if you have a sleeper car, food is free AND good!! You are required to have dinner reservations because of limited seating and they always sit you with different passengers. At one of my meals I sat next to a Catholic priest. Naturally I started talking tractors. Before we were done, he wanted to see a copy of Heritage Iron. I gave him one and before the ride was over he told me I had opened up a whole new world for him. Wow! I converted a Catholic priest! That's powerful - but that's what Heritage Iron is all about.....more power....not a higher power but more power!
I was walking through one of the cars with an issue in my hand when a lady grabbed me and said "Where did you get that magazine?!" "Out of my suitcase" wasn't the answer she was looking for :) but she informed me that she knew people that would love to have the magazine so she managed to talk me out of it before I left the car.
It was just an awesome trip and the 25 hours went WAY to fast. Luckily I'll get to do it again in a few days. I'm here in Havre, Montana in the dead of winter for one reason.....the Big Bug reunion. There are supposed to be 250-300 people here consisting of employees, engineers, dealers, owner...etc. Even John Harvey from Classic Tractors is flying out here...providing the plane can land. Did I mention we're having a blizzard out here?! I had better get going because I need to be within walking distance of a tractor during a blizzard and not stuck in a motel. My job is soooo cool! Literally....it's supposed to be 14 below tomorrow. Brrrrrrr.
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I have been enjoying reading your blog Sherry. I have been reading Oliver Heritage since day one and today I submitted 2 subscriptions to Heritage Iron for myself and my next door neighbor. They are an elderly couple and have farmed next door their entire lives. They are hardened IH people :) and the 3 years I have lived next door to them have been a delight. I was born in the late 50’s on a dairy farm in southwestern Wisconsin, so the powerhouse tractors of the 60s and 70s are dear to my heart. Hope you have a great time in Montana; I would love to be there with you and here the stories of Big Bud! Thanks for all of your efforts, and enjoy your return trip on the rail.
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