Subj : Re: Todays Blooper
To   : Barry Martin
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Wed Jun 23 2021 21:29:00

Barry,

 BM> Now the robbers would be better off accepting credit and debit cards!

  Or iPhone Gift Cards. Some guy tried to scam me into purchasing them,
but I've now blocked his address from my email. I think he figured out
I was wise to him when I didn't respond a second time.

 DS>   Diet Green Tea Citrus, or Sweet Tea. Nothing else matters. :)

 BM> Dyslexic Waiter:  Here's your diet Sweet Citrus and Green Sweat!

  BLEAH!! :P At least the gastroenterologist said told me that I 
could drink that when I prep for the colonoscopy. I've had to
postpone repairs on the bathroom...using that money for medical
issues, get needed groceries, and pay other unexpected bills. Maybe
I should try my luck at a scratch off lottery ticket?? :P I could
do well with a few thousand dollars right now.

 DS>   I think we'll sleep on this one, debate wise.

 BM> Especially if they have to travel to the event by rail!

  I've got over 47,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards Points, that will expire
soon. I hate to waste them, so I'm considering doing a "strange trip"
in August. 

  There is a ham radio event on Saturday, August 14, in Shreveport, 
Louisiana...but while trains go through there, they have never been 
an actual Amtrak stop...and there's no longer a depot there. However,
there is a "Thruway Bus" connection from Longview, Texas...a stop on
the Texas Eagle route (between Mineola and Marshall). The bus takes
passengers to/from the train to the destination stop, and it's
"through ticketing".

  But, to lengthen the ride a bit, I'm considering doing this:

  On Friday, August 13, I take the train from Little Rock to Dallas
(around 8 hours). I detrain in Dallas for a 4 hour layover for the 
northbound train. Then, I'll ride the train to Longview (about 3
hours)...then take the Thruway Bus to Shreveport (about an hour).
They used to drop off at the Airport, but now, the dropoff point
is at the Intermodal Bus Depot downtown. A fellow ham radio operator
would pick me up at the bus depot, and take me to the hotel Friday
night, then to the event at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds on
Saturday. He has family in Shreveport, but he and his wife live in
Denham Springs, near New Orleans. So, he likes to come up there to
visit family.

  On Sunday, August 15, he'd take me from the hotel back to the bus
depot, and I'd take the train from Longview to Dallas (about 3 hours). 
Then, I'd again have the 4 hour layover in Dallas, then take the 
northbound train back to Little Rock (8 hours).

  With the amount of Guest Rewards Points, I'd likely be able to
have a Roomette or the Handicapped Sleeper all the way (except
maybe the segment from Longview to Dallas and vice versa, where
I'd go Coach, as it's only 3 hours))...and the rail fare would be 
free. I'd get breakfast on the way down, and dinner on the way back. 
It's the "Flexible Dining", complementary for Sleeping Car passengers. 
I don't think they have a cafe car for coach passengers, but I'm not 
sure.

  Yet, Amtrak does NOT have a link to timetables anymore, and so
I have to call them and find out where I get them. Even if they
are in PDF format for download only, I really don't want to go
down to Little Rock Union Station in the overnight hours just
to get a timetable. But, I have to call them anyway, just to 
make the reservation. I have wanted to do one last trip, since
my Mom died nearly 2 years ago...and before my health keeps me
home...or in the Little Rock area, anyway.

  Even though it might be basically straight Interstate (I-30
from Little Rock to Texarkana, then I-49 from Texarkana to 
Shreveport), I just can't do long drives or rides anymore. If
there's road construction or weather issues, I'd rather someone
else be doing the driving.

  The bottom line though is that finances are tight, and the
way my legs have been giving me fits...even though I may want
to just get away for a weekend, it may no longer be feasible.
Too bad the event isn't closer, where I could just drive to it.

Daryl

.... What happens to an 18 hour bra after 18 hours??
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