24 June 2011 - slight frustrations on arriving four hours late at our hotel yesterday following train journey from Chicago were put firmly into perspective by news today that next day's train was rammed by a large twin trailer truck at a level crossing setting it on fire and killing at least two people. We were originally booked on that train and are very thankful to be here in San Francisco safe and sound. SF is busy, very hilly and a little cool in the evening...

Thursday 23 June - train travel provides the most amazing moving wall paper - fantastic ever changing views tempered only slightly but the frustration of not being able to get out and walk in the view or stop the train to take the perfect photo. Yesterday I longed to get out and walk through the clear mountain air of the Rockies. 5:30 this morning the most perfect vista of sunrise on snow-tipped mountains that disappeared into a tunnel before the camera could be ...

Sunrise Wednesday 22 June - last time we woke up in a train couchette it was to sunrise in the alps. Well the sun was the same today but the scenery couldn't be more different - after two hours waiting for a tree to be removed from the tracks in front of us we're still in the flat farming lands of the Midwest - endless arable fields with the occasional small group of animals. Most Americans we have spoken to are incredulous that we are choosing to travel by trai...

Wow, entered the Rockie Mountains five hours ago and are just coming through them now with this amazing gorge. We reached a height of over 9000 feet and proceeded at a very sedate 45 mph all the way. Dining on the train is an experience as they insist you fill up each table of four and socialise. This has made for a few interesting conversations about the American way of life and their expectations. Apparently we will go through the desert, probably and unfortun...

After a morning in Chicago still marvelling at the Art Deco buildings and their colossal height we are now travelling through the American Mid-West on the Californian Zephyr, a wonderful double decker train. We have our own cabin, cosy but adequate for this fifty hour journey. Sitting now, in what is called the observation coach on outward facing seats with panoramic windows in front and above, we anticipate putting our towels on them for the whole of the journey...