From: Stan Herrin (sherrin@cmtengr.com)
Date: Mon Oct 29 2001 - 11:45:00 CST
We took the train in 2000 from Illinois, and a couple of observations:
1. The boys have a lot more "freedom" on the train than in the plane.
They can get something to eat when they want, they can go to another car and
play cards and they can't get lost like in an airport.
2. I slept most of the way home - good thing I didn't have to drive.
3. I fly a lot, and I liked taking the train.
4. I don't think I would save any time by flying. By train, we left at
noon, and reached Raton at 1:30, 2 hours late. Went to Philmont that day,
and we left for our trek on the 1:00 bus the next day, 48 hours after
leaving home. By air, the earliest we could get into Albuquerque would have
been 10:30 am. I believe it is a 4 hour bus trip from Albuquerque to
Philmont, which would mean we would have made it to Philmont late in the
day, 4 to 5 pm. I think it is questionable if they would allow us to go out
on our trek the next day (isn't there a 24 hour in base camp rule?). I
suspect they would have wanted us to spend the night, so again about 48
hours from home to trail.
5. Sleeping on the train was better than in an airplane. The seats are
further apart, lean back, and have a foot rest. You need a blanket because
it is cold on the train.
6. My biggest complaint about the train is the dependibility. We were 2
hours late going out and 4 hours late coming back. I have recommended for
2002 that we go out a day early, spend the night Raton or Cimmaron, and get
into Base camp at 9:00 am so we can catch an early bus out.
On another note, my first trek was in 1967. I saw where someone went in
1963. John LeBlanc went in 1959. Is that the earliest in the group?
Would you youngters like to hear our recollections on early Philmont? Did
you know Porky used to have little shelters to sit under?
Stan Herrin
"The Walking Lincolns"
Springfield, IL
1967 & 2000 - Going again in 2002
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