Closing In On Southern California

We just finished lunch in the dining car - the hamburgers are generally the best bet - and we've been following along near Highway 101 for awhile, passing the San Miguel Mission and stopping at Paso Robles.

From here it's one more mountain pass, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara before arriving at Union Station in Los Angeles at 9:00 p.m. or later.

The train was running early but something happened - or didn't - during the night and we're now behind schedule. We also notice that a freight-type engine is now pulling our train along, with the passenger train engine hooked on behind it.

We played Spades this morning and this afternoon we'll sightsee and maybe nap before one last dinner.

We're overnighting at a Sheraton Hotel and, given what we've learned about the neighborhood where the train station is located, we'll look for a cab rather than walking to and from public transit.

It's been a great ride but it'll be nice to sleep in a real bed tonight before one more night in a train bed tomorrow en route to Albuquerque.