Most of you know we go to the East Coast for the fall to escape the poor air quality found in Northern California due to the wildfires this time of year. I've been thinking and learning a lot about climate change (I like to think the recent changes to weather/season/climate have woken many up and those who thought they were awake to a new level and are now ready to engage in action). It was in this mindset that I came across this infographic:
This is from "The Climate Action Handbook" (2023) by Heidi A. Roop; illustrated by Joshua M. Powell and published by Sasquatch Books
I've always loved trains and I took this journey about 20 years ago in order to take photos across the US. As many of you know I love to take ferries and if this infographic is correct, only the ferry is better than rail. In many ways having many (cute) ferries (and islands) in Portland Maine is a big draw. Since this cross-country trip is yearly I have been thinking about how to make it less environmentally damaging. This infographic helped me understand what my choices were. I hope we like this train trip as then all my flying would be rare and one-off kind of things I estimate at once every 4-6 years.
Here she comes, with her whistleblowing. The Zypher 6 line from Emeryville all the way to Chicago!So many things to learn...and well birdwatching on the train adds to the difficulty. Goodbye Bay Area...Benicia, CASuisun City, California, United StatesSacramento River, Sacramento CaliforniaOld buildings at the Sacramento Amtrak stationFloriston, California approaching NevadaTruckee River. The wonderful clouds are from Hurricane Hilary which brought storm weather up to Tahoe and into Nevada.Fallon, Nevada. Puddles showing one wet desert after late August rain from Hurricane Hilary.Winnemucca, NevadaThe day is coming to a close in Nevada. Good morning, Price, Utah This was the menu for the whole trip. The food was relatively good as was the complimentary glass of wine. Each meal they sat you with other people and you introduced yourself and learned about the other train riders. It was fun and if you had asked me ahead of time I wouldn't have thought so. Green River, Utah. 170 miles from where I grew up and each year my father drove here for the best melons in the world (he said).Here is the Green River that Green River, Utah is named after. Green River is a bit over the Utah border from Colorado.Leaving Green River, UT heading for Moab.Moab, UTAll remarkable Moab, Utah area where the antelope run and play.Goodbye, Utah the journey tomorrow will continue with Colorado which is just over the border.
We live in such a beautiful country and I do love the desert it's so crisp and dramatic. It is extra green from the wet winter and then in parts because of the hurricane. I remember many of these places much drier. The train ride was glorious and we will continue with the journey on the post tomorrow.
