in praise of Amtrak

We've really enjoyed our trips on Amtrak trains. They have been on time at beginning and end, have pleasant, helpful staff, are clean and comfortable and most importantly - you can sit back and relax because someone else is doing the driving. 

The waiting room at Salt Lake City was a bit creepy because it was so late at night but they got better culminating with Union Station Los Angeles:

Pretty good! There is a grand piano there if you care to play it; unfortunately nobody did while we were there. 

Today we rode gently back to LA from San Diego, wheeled off our cases straight to the Flyaway Bus stop and were at the airport within an hour. Checked in our luggage (mine is 4 kg heavier than when I came - how did that happen?) and are waiting for boarding call.