i'm taking a 12-hour train ride down the pacific coast to visit my family in los angeles, for only one day, and coming back by train on tuesday. gorgeous views, relaxing ride, book readings, napping, snacking, viewing car, quiet calm, and did i mention gorgeous views of the ocean.

everyone i tell this to screams about the 12-hours, the fact that a plane would get me there in 45 minutes, and the 12-hours again.

why is everyone always in such a hurry to get some where when they're supposedly on vacation? why isn't the trip itself the destination? why is the madness of the airports/runways/taxis/shuttles/carriers/baggageclaim/ticketlines/ securitylines/boardinglines/lines/crouchedseating/immobility/madness preferable? why not enjoy the trip itself?

i answer those questions by taking the slow, relaxing, non-hurried train rides with gorgeous views while reading a newspaper and a good book, propping my feet up on the viewing car dashboard and looking out into the horizon...