Some people have a Bucket List. I’ll admit I’ve never seen the movie mainly because I thought the expression was stupid. Then again, a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” is hyperbole and few experiences in life are once in a lifetime unless they involve you dying at the conclusion of it.

However you want to label it, a few weeks ago I crossed an item off my Bucket List. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I rode coach on Amtrak’s Capitol Limited from Cleveland to Chicago before boarding the California Zephyr all the way to San Francisco. And back.

I had to be in California for an event and I had a few options on my mode of transportation. Time was not an issue, which is key to train travel. A plane will always get you there faster. This is a fact. But if you have the time and the patience, riding a train is an experience like no other. Full disclosure: I received no compensation or special treatment from Amtrak. My train was delayed 6 hours upon arrival in Emeryville, California (the last stop in Oakland before a bus takes you into San Francisco) which should be proof of that. We hit a deer. The buck stopped there. Wow, that was awful. Sorry.

Chicago to San Francisco is about a 49-hour trip. I purchased a sleeper car which means I slept (sort of) for two nights during the journey. If you’re in a sleeper car you are served three hot meals and given access to a shower while on the train. Pretty sweet. It’s a bit of a challenge taking a shower aboard a moving train but the meals are better than expected. I had grilled salmon for dinner and was relieved venison was not on the menu.

Many people ride the train like it’s a big party, socializing and meeting others. The people you meet have fascinating stories. It takes a certain kind of individual to cross North America on rails. Being an introvert, I spent most of my time staring out of the window at this gorgeous place we call the United States, writing away in my private space.

This special episode of the TheHorrorWritersPodcast was recorded on the train, somewhere in the middle of Nevada. Although I share seven things I learned about the craft of writing while aboard the train, anyone might find it interesting. If you really need help getting motivated, in the podcast I talk a bit about my editor, Rebecca T. Dickson, who is also a writing coach. Check out the podcast and show notes for more details.

I’ll have a few guest bloggers this month as well as some other interesting news. Stay tuned…