Comments on: Rails Across America, Part 1

By: Anneliese Schultz '72

Anneliese Schultz '72 — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:01:58 +0000

and you’re doing it right for the planet by refraining from flying – hope your writings will encourage others to (re)discover the joys of train travel -
re economics, I believe the SlowMoney movement is based in Colorado though maybe not on the radar in Trinidad – slowmoney.org – another new & sustainable way to travel!

By: Event Connoisseur

Event Connoisseur — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:40:11 +0000

wow! that is awesome. That’s something i should have down when i was your age

By: Martin Crabtree

Martin Crabtree — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:34:55 +0000

Dear Ryan,
I marvel at your interest in traveling by train and visiting small towns. I do the same, only in a very much smaller place, that is in Switzerland. I live here, and train and bus connections are so good, my wife and I have never bought a car. Agewise we are now in our upper sixties.
I will be interested in reading more about your trip. I very much share your interest in small towns. It is interesting to watch how the young and aged move around, and it is sometimes easier to get into contact with them than in big cities. Using public transportation is effective in communication and it is an ecological way to travel. I

hope you will keep it up
All the best!

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By: Chris Loeffler

Chris Loeffler — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:39:24 +0000

Great idea Ryan!

When I finished my junior year at Middlebury, Amtrak celebrated its 30th anniversary with $30 fares anywhere it went. I booked a ticket from Rutland, VT (the closest Amtrak stop to Middlebury College – not counting Port Henry, NY) to my home in Seattle, WA. That was a long, multi-day train trip through Schenectady, Cleveland, South Bend, Chicago, St. Paul, Staples, MN, Minot, ND to Seattle. I remember arriving 23 hours late, but it was a grand adventure in patience and excitement during the occasional “train stops for only 20 minutes” excursions into small towns along the way.

Good luck!

By: John (JK for short

John (JK for short — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:39:30 +0000

Ryan, I met you a couple of weeks ago in Wells, Maine at the Antique Auto Museum, gave you a ride (sorry not on a train) to the town hall. Didn’t look as though you enjoyed Wells a whole lot by you comment in your blog, hopefully you did enjoy Maine. I live in North Berwick the next town over and like soooo many in Southern Maine grew up in Massachusetts. Really, Maine is alot more laid back which we appreciate very much. Are you back at school now, will you continue your trek at a later time? Whatever, good meeting you and hope you have a good year ahead.

By: Grace Donovan

Grace Donovan — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:06:59 +0000

Enjoy Astoria and the Oregon Coast! It is known for it’s beauty and OR is my home state and I miss it so.
Best,
Grace

By: Ryan Kim

Ryan Kim — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:59:54 +0000

Peter,
The town in Maine, as corrected above, is actually Wells, Maine. Thank you for catching the mistype.
Best,
Ryan

By: Peter K. Race(husband of Ruth Eldridge Race '52)

Peter K. Race(husband of Ruth Eldridge Race '52) — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:34:27 +0000

Hi Ryan,
I am a summer resident of Maine, and have been part of Maine all my life, and have never heard of Astoria; also, I just consulted the DeLorme atlas, the definitive map-book of that state, and there is no listing for Astoria. Could you have meant Augusta, the State capitol, (to which there is no train service)? The only train service, at present, is from southern Maine to Portland.
Just curious.
Good luck !

By: Don West

Don West — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:14:48 +0000

It was a pleasure speaking with you this past week and seeing a young person taking the time to learn about the different areas of this country makes me feel good about the future. The more you know via the informal training of travel the better you know different approaches to business, people and how to get along.

Best of Luck!

By: Linda Ross

Linda Ross — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:01:32 +0000

Ryan,
Having grown up in a small town in Vermont makes me anxious to hear about the areas and people you visit. The amazing stories that will be shared with you will be priceless.

I’m looking forward to your blog.
Enjoy your trip!

Best,
Linda

By: Abhishek Parajuli

Abhishek Parajuli — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 03:41:10 +0000

What a fantastic idea! Buen viajes! I look forward to hearing more about your journey in the fall.

Abhishek

By: Churchill Franklin

Churchill Franklin — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:48:13 +0000

Ryan,
Sounds like a great plan. Good luck! I have been a lot of places, but never been to any of those towns. I will read with interest. I am currently at the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch halfway between. Bozeman and West Yellowstone, Montana. This is Janet’s and my 23rd year coming to this ranch. All our kids have learned to ride horses here. We are headed out shortly to ride the high peaks of the Taylors. Check out the website http://.ninequartercircleranch.com.

Churchill
Middlebury ’71

By: John Taylor Midd'52

John Taylor Midd'52 — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:06:12 +0000

Your plan sounds great. I wish I could come. I confess little experience in shall towns. I was a CITY manager for many years. Here I am writing this on my 60th wedding anniversity. I wish you well.

By: Matt Kimble

Matt Kimble — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:59:24 +0000

Ryan,

Did you bring your psychology texts with you for the long train rides?

By: Meredith Gramelspacher

Meredith Gramelspacher — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:59:38 +0000

Ryan – I am a 1993 grad, work for the Indiana Brownfields Program, and have a good relationship with the Mayor of Connersville. We’ve been working on redevelopment of the former Visteon plant there and it is an interesting lesson in brownfields redevelopment, job loss/attraction, etc. Feel free to contact me at mgramels@ifa.in.gov if you are interested in hearing more or trying to touch base with the Mayor, Leonard Urban, to discuss the City of Connersville’s efforts to revive their job market, deal with contaminated properties, etc. Meredith Gramelspacher

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 23:45:27 +0000

Are you curious about locomotion? Healing, rest and discovery? Perhaps the reporter in LR will take you over to the Cottonbelt Railway Museum in PIne Blluff or to Hot Springs for the treatments?

By: Jessica Dean

Jessica Dean — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:28:23 +0000

Hi Ryan,
What a great adventure. I work at the NBC affiliate in Little Rock, AR (about an hour from Malvern) and would love to talk to you about the possibility of a short interview during your time in Malvern. You can email me at jdean@kark.com. Hope you’re enjoying your trip.

By: Mrs. Laughlin

Mrs. Laughlin — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 23:26:43 +0000

Hi Ryan, I love “I’ve been abroad but America is still the world’s greatest.” I agree!!! This is the most amazing country in the history of mankind. As an econ major you’ll appreciate that America has been the country of the greatest affluence for its citizens than any country in the world. I hope at the end of your trip you will love the United States more than ever. That’s how I feel after every trip abroad. Traveling mercies, Ryan, and can’t wait to hear more.

By: Mrs. Rabosky

Mrs. Rabosky — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 05:32:38 +0000

Hi Ryan,
What an incredible experience, and one that you will always remember. I still remember my high school family vacation driving across the US, but doing it by train is much more adventurous. We have relatives that moved from Connorsville, IND to Plainsfield, IND in case you need any input. Have a wonderful trip.
Love,
Mrs. Rabosky

By: Susan Pai

Susan Pai — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 23:58:22 +0000

Hi Ryan,
One of your mom’s Smithie friends here. I love your passion for self-exploration as well as academic exploration and your adventurous spirit!

Curious, how did you choose these small towns?

Susan

By: Barbara Parker

Barbara Parker — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:39:25 +0000

Hi Ryan –
What an original and exciting idea! Looking forward to your blogs.