The Road to Rhinebeck 2013

Going on a train trip to Rhinebeck was harder than I thought. It all started days before we left. Checking the weather in this faraway land become an obsession.

What was I supposed to wear? The forecast was for partly cloudy with temps in the mid 60's and only a gentle breeze. It sounds perfect on paper but we all know The Weather Channel lies and I didn't want to be unprepared. There was no car to run back to in order to change out gear. We had to either wear it or carry it. I also wanted to bring along everything I had ever knit in order to show it off-but that wasn't happening.

At the last minute, I decided I needed a shawl to snuggle with on the late night ride home. My favorite woven ones were too heavy to carry around all day so at 2 pm on the day before we left, I washed and blocked my giant pi shawl over some lawn chairs. The chances that it would dry in time were slim to none but I gave it my best shot. I am happy to say that it did dry in time and came in very handy.

After packing all my changes of clothes and all of my projects into two carry on bags, I still had to find space for some food. I am not a fan of fair food so I had to have enough to last almost 24 hours of traveling-not to mention room for any stuff I may want to haul back. Arghhh.... by now I was seriously doubting the wisdom of my plan to go by train.

 We were up the next morning at 4 am and out the door before 5. It's about an hour to the train station from home.

We pretty much had the place to ourselves as we waited for the Northeast Regional to New York City's Penn Station where we would catch the Empire Service to Rhinecliff.

 I am glad I bought three different projects because I did a lot of knitting on the five hour train trek. Amtrak now has wifi on their trains so when I wasn't knitting I was using my Kindle Fire to play on the internet.

 The train runs along the Hudson River all the way to Rhinecliff and the view is spectacular this time of year.

 At the station our taxi was one of about a million waiting to take fellow passengers into Rhinebeck. Let me just say that New York City cab drivers have nothing on upstate drivers. They both drive like maniacs. The difference is that upstate drivers ask you how much you want to pay for the ride. No kidding. Both coming and going our two drivers acted embarrassed to take our money and had a fit over giving them a tip.

Tomorrow: Meet Me at the Fair