America The Beautiful

We have met some interesting folks on this trip. A cross-section of American life. From Chicago to Denver we had dinner with a young man who had been in the service, done 10 years as a long distance truck driver and was now heading to California to begin working his way up the Pacific coast with hopes of spending the summer in Alaska. He was very nice but it was like having dinner with Forrest Gump. He'd been everywhere and done everything!

From Denver to Sacramento we had lunch and dinner with a mother and daughter who were starting a vacation to celebrate the daughter's 50th birthday. They were going to San Francisco then drive south along the California coast. They had rented a convertible so they could "do it up right". Fun to see them enjoying each other's company.

In the Sacramento train station we watched a woman who obviously had severe concern about "germs." This was right in the middle of all the swine flu hoopla so maybe it was that. Anyway, she wore latex gloves; had a plastic bag that she put over her hand whenever she handled anything (train ticket included); carried a large piece of cardboard that she would unfold and place on the bench whenever she wanted to sit down; and carried multiple plastic bags holding other items. All I could think of was how much energy it must take for her to go through daily life and how grateful I am for the blessings I have been given.

From Sacramento to Seattle we had breakfast with a man who had retired from the railroad after 40 years of running a dining car. He was a delight and very gracious to the current staff. Did not feel it necessary to tell them how he would have done things! But he did share stories with us of "how it used to be" before the day of frozen foods and microwaves. That being said, we found the food on the train to be very good. The menu was the same throughout the trip was large enough that we were able to have a variety of meals. My very favorite though was the Railroad French Toast at breakfast.

From Seattle to Minneapolis, we had breakfast with a couple in their 90's. They were travelling from Elk, WA to Havre, MT for their great-grandson's graduation from college. They were newlyweds of about 4 years; had known each other from church for many years and after their respective spouses had passed away decided to marry. Gave us hope that there are still many years of good times to be had.

All in all, this has been a trip of a lifetime. We have seen some incredible sights, met some wonderful people and spent time with loved ones. As we watched mile after mile of landscape it brought the song America the Beautiful to life.

America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

For all the lyrics go here: http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/americathebeautiful.html

Go read it -- I had not in a long time. Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of this journey but the words are as meaniful today as ever.