(SUBJECT – RELATIONSHIPS & SPONTANEITY) — Jack & Ann are a couple who live in Denver, Colorado. Jack is an artist and Ann is a realtor, they have one daughter who lives on the East Coast and is married. Empty nesters, they do go on regular date nights out, but travel is generally planned six months to a year out. Here is their story in their words and pictures.
In January, Jack was reading an article about the California Zephyr, Amtrak’s train from Chicago to San Francisco. He looked up from his computer and asked Ann if she had plans for the upcoming weekend. A major snowstorm was heading towards Denver so she replied, “I don’t think any Realtor will be working this weekend!” Jack told her the Zephyr to San Francisco was departing from Denver on Saturday. Ann gave an approving nod and we booked the trip, plus two nights in San Francisco, and a return flight home.
– (Day One) Very early Saturday morning, we were on the California Zephyr, bags in our compartment and at breakfast in the dining car—then we claimed good seats in the observatory car. This beautiful trip through the Rockies is on the bucket list of every railroad enthusiast.
The tracks from Denver to California were laid more than 150 years ago and many of the picturesque valleys and mountain passes can only be experienced by train. Plus back in the 1800s, the railroad had to dig 43 tunnels using hand picks and shovels to make this route possible.
– The view out the windows was looming mountains, ten-foot snow drifts, frozen rivers, snow-caked trees, fresh animal tracts of deer; and arches carved by eons of erosion through red rock. It was a winter wonderland surrounding us in every direction. The porter made our beds that evening and the train rocked us to sleep. Every aspect of this American train trip through the vastly uninhabited western states created many special memories in the span of only a day and a half.
– (Day Two) By late afternoon Sunday, we arrived in San Francisco. There the enchanting Palace Hotel turned out to be an experience equal to our train ride. The awe-inspiring main dining room has a leaded glass ceiling and large crystal chandeliers dominating the three-story-high room. It is one of the grand interiors left from the “Belle Epoque” era. The original Maxfield Parish mural in the bar created a magical place for a drink and a light meal. To end the day on a high note, we had a relaxing dip in the indoor pool, enjoying the warm water all to ourselves.
– (Day Three) On Monday we explored the SF Museum of Modern Art’s collection and that night we dined on a gourmet five-course meal worthy of an Emperor, at Z&Y Restaurant in Chinatown.
Tuesday we flew back to Denver.
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Being spontaneous and open to trying new things… keeps a relationship interesting! Here the spontaneity resulted in the best, most interesting, four-day vacation ever!
California Zephyr
Palace Hotel
SFMoMA
Z&Y Restaurant in China Town
