Planning my first trip of 2019, Wisconsin to South Carolina
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It seems like forever since my last trip, but soon I will be back on the rails. In the past, I took a spring trip out West, but this year, I am going to the South. This article is on my trip planning for this trip.
This post includes my tentative packing list and list of trains.
This trip is for a few weeks, and I am breaking the adventure into three posts:
- Off to Charleston, S.C (this post)
- Heading to Disney World
- Going back to Wisconsin
Let’s start part one
Mackenzie off on her next adventure!
We are taking our first family vacation to the land of giant mice and fictitious royalty, aka Disney World.
Mackenzie, my niece, and I are the only ones in the family that have not been there. For me, Mouse World never has been a priority, but an opportunity came up this year, and I decided to take advantage.
My folks, sister, and niece are going to Disney for two weeks, while my brother in law and I are taking turns. He has week one, and I have week two.
The “interesting” part of the trip is that we are all staying with my Aunt & Uncle in their RV.
Time with Abby
Who doesn’t like a good high five?
The first part of my trip is puppy sitting Abby (the Newfie) until her human dad comes back.
Abby and I are going to enjoy our walks, the dog park, playing, and just enjoying a quiet apartment. I think Abby will appreciate this.
Since my niece was born in July 2018, Abby has been adjusting to the new sounds and excitement of a new baby in the home, and she may enjoy some quiet time away from little Mackenzie.
Okay, my favorite part of traveling, trip coordination
Me:
There are many moving parts on this trip because of the people involved, but I was able to make my rail travel to work out.
To start, I can leave early on this trip because I was able to clear my week and head to Charleston after I am done playing organ on Sunday. In case you didn’t know I am an organist for a church. Leaving at the beginning of the week will give time with my sister’s family and more play time with Mackenzie before they go, and will provide a chance to get used to Abby’s schedule as well.
I am looking forward to this solo train trip. All of my train rides are solo on this trip. The first part of this trip includes three trains that I talk about below.
Everyone else:
My folks are piling into my Aunt and Uncle’s motor home and heading for Florida from Wisconsin. Their 22-hour road trip starts on Friday of the week I leave.
Paula and family are leaving that Saturday and meet up with everyone else later that day; it only takes them 6 hours so to get there.
In part two, I will go over how I get to Florida.
Packing well can save you time and lighten your bag
What am I packing?
I include links for products I use, and if it is no longer available, I give suggestions of what I would consider. (Links in red are affiliate links, and if you use those I can receive money at no cost to you.)
Luggage:
My bag packed, tickets ready, and my travel socks!
- Tortuga travel backpack
- This particular bag is no longer in production
- Click here for the latest of what Tortuga has to offer
Travel tools
- Packing Cubes (The brand I use is no longer available)
- Amtrak Comfort kit
- Includes
- Blow-up neck-pillow
- Small blanket
- Earplugs
- Eyemask
- And all come in a handy pouch
- Available at some stations and café cars
- Includes
- Blow up pillow
- I highly recommend this pillow
- Compact size and easy to pack
- Easy to inflate
- Extension cord
- For uses on the train
- One of those things you always wish you packed
- Electronics
- iPad (I have the mini)
- Download with movies
- If you have Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, often you can temporarily download entertainment
- Amazon Prime Video is part of you Prime Membership
- If you have Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, often you can temporarily download entertainment
- Download with movies
- Computer (I need a new one)
- To work on the site
- Extra cables and chargers
- iPad (I have the mini)
- “3-1-1 bag” toiletries
- Gotoobs filled with (silicone squeeze bottles these are the best I have seen and used)
- Bronner’s Soap
- The traveler’s secret friend
- Useable to wash all of you
- Works for laundry soap, especially if you are washing clothes in your sink.
- Mouthwash
- Bronner’s Soap
- Toothbrush
- A new toothbrush is a great idea especially if you are not traveling often
- Or clean it between trips
- Toothbrush cover
- A simple cover works well
- Toothpaste
- When flying, you can take up a 3 oz size tube in your carry-on
- Deodorant
- If your everyday container of deodorant is 3 oz you can pack it in your 3-1-1 TSA bag
- Gotoobs filled with (silicone squeeze bottles these are the best I have seen and used)
- First aid kit
- You can make you your own as well
- Bottle opener (in case of emergency)
Clothing
- Quick dry Clothing
- Three short sleeved shirts
- A short sleeve collared quick dry
- Two pairs of shorts
- Something for swimming (could be a pair of the shorts above with something to wear under them)
- Jeans (often only one)
- A quick dry dress pants I usually wear these to the station
- Socks and underwear
- Athletic shorts for sleeping or swimming
Transportation
The second section of the journey is free because I used my Amtrak Guest Reward Points. For more information on how you can do this too, check out my article on how to save money with Amtrak.
My Trains
The Hiawatha pulling into Milwaukee
My first train: The Hiawatha
- The train goes from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago Union Station
- Traveling from Sturtevant Depot to Chicago Union Station
- Run time: 66 minutes
- Miles: 63
- Single level equipment
- This train does not have food or beverage service
- Wifi is available
- This train has unreserved coach seating
- Meaning any seat open could be mine
- I use this train more than any other Amtrak train
Chicago Union Station’s Great Hall
Chicago layover
Union Station has several places for me to grab lunch or a drink, and because I have a room on my next train have access to The Metropolitan Lounge.
I could take Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line to Chicago, but I do not want to park my car in Fox Lake for that long, or get a ride.
My second train: The Capitol Limited
- Traveling from start to Finish, Chicago, IL to Washington, D.C.
Views from the Capitol Limited Observation Car
- Scheduled times
- Departure: 6:40 pm
- Arrival: 1:05 pm
- Run Time: 17 hours 25 minutes
- Miles: 780
- Bi-level aka Superliner equipment
- Scheduled times
- Train accommodations
- Coach Class
- Sleeper accommodations
- I have a roomette on this train
- Food on the train
- Café Car
- Dining Car (only for sleeping car passengers only on this train, click the link for more info)
- Observation car
- Anyone onboard can use this car
- The Cafe is in the lower level
- Highlights of the trip
- Follows the old Baltimore and Ohio Route (B&O)
- Patomic Valley
- Harpers Ferry
- The Allegany Mountains
I have been on The Capitol Limited every year since 2013!
Washington, D.C. Layover
Between trains is a 6-hour 20-minute layover at the beautiful and historic Washington (D.C.) Union Stations. There is time to see a few sites, weather permitting, and paid baggage storage is available. If you have a sleeper car, you can store your bag unsupervised in the Club Acela Lounge.
The Washington Union station has shopping and food available. Food can range from fast food to nice sit-down and everything in between. There is a food court in the lower area that I often forget about when hunting for food. Shopping ranges from high-end brands to souvenir shops.
Post Office Museum in Washington, D.C.
The US Postal Museum is nearby, as in across the street, and it’s a fun way to spend time between trains. The museum offers
- Stamp research and display areas
- Interactive displays
- Gift Shop and a working Post Office
- And my stamp of approval (okay it’s a bad joke, but you groaned, chuckled, or it went overhead, either way, I had fun)
I am trying to convince a friend to join me in DC to pass the time.
The last train of this part: The Silver Meteor
My final train for this trip
The Silver Meteor arriving at Charleston, SC
- Train Runs daily from New York, NY to Miami, FL
- I am taking the train from Washington, D.C., to Charleston, S.C.
- Scheduled Times for this section
- Depart: 7:25 pm
- Arrive: 4:51 am
- Run time: 9 hours 25 minutes
- Miles: 503
- Single level equipment
- Scheduled Times for this section
- Train accommodations
- Coach
- Sleeper accommodations
- I have a Viewliner Roomette now
- I upgraded from coach
- I have a Viewliner Roomette now
- Food
- Lounge seating is available in the café car
- There are no highlights on this part of the trip for me because it will be dark
In closing
I am excited that I will get to use the new Charleston Amtrak Station! It is not that often I use stations that are less than a year old. They were finishing the station up the last time I was there.
After I arrived, my sister will and possibly Abby (if she wants to wake up and go) will pick me up.
Safe Travels!
Kev