posted
I'm looking for another idea, if anyone has any. I'd like to stop off someplace on the Silver Service as I return northbound from South Florida this winter. I've already stopped in Winter Park twice, Jacksonville (bit of a waste of time), Savannah, and Charleston twice. I don't want to stop too far north as it will be too cold to do anything--even North Carolina and Virginia are very iffy (though I once stopped in Richmond and had a fluke of good weather). I thought I'd like to visit Beaufort, SC, but that unmanned Yamassee (see other strand) stop sounds like it's not somewhere I want to arrive at night--taxis say they will come, but you never know. I also prefer a stop where I don't have to spend a small fortune in cab fares getting to the touristy area (in fact, Jacksonville, Savannah, Richmond [the stop the Silver Service stops at], and even Charleston were all very high when I went to them, and likely to be much higher now with gas so much higher!) and where I can stay in a reasonably priced but nice safe hotel walking distance to things to see and do. Once I get to a place I am not renting a car and can afford only to stay a night or two.
If I had the money, I figured I could have gone to Savannah, taxi to downtown, stay overnight, bus to Beautfort, stay a night, and then bus back to Savannah, taxi back to Amtrak later in day to catch the Meteor that evening . . . but this is pretty pricey, and I'd much rather stay 2 nights in Beautfort than spend the money on Savannah hotel. Plus, I'd need a place a dump my luggage when I got back to Savannah if I wanted to do anything there.
I'm wondering about Lakeland Florida--that looks to be right by the train. Do you guys think it worth a visit?
Otherwise, any suggestions?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Might you be interested in exploring Millen Georgia?
I mention it because of a very insightful "Dateline NBC" that aired last evening. It portrayed how this small city of 4K (on the NS/CofG) had been devastated by the Recession, but with 'self help' on the part of the city and its people (e.g. "you have a new full time job and that job is to find a job now; not when the unemployment benefits run out"), there has been some degree of recovery. Example of that is how a restaurant owner had to shut down during '09, but has now reopened.
I think for this one, you'd have to 'break down' and pay Mr. Hertz a visit in Savannah, as the Adios Drumhead was bringing up the rear of "Nancy Hanks" on A-Day Eve. The hotels in Millen appear to be of the independent "Mom and Pop" varietal, but if that is not acceptable, there are major brands in Statesboro (28 miles away) including a Holiday Inn to which I gave a favorable rating at Trip Advisor.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I think for this one, you'd have to 'break down' and pay Mr. Hertz a visit in
Be careful with Mr. Hertz. Although he gave me a nice car at a good rate up in Albany, NY this week, he "encumbered" some funds out of my bank account on 8/9 that have yet to be returned to my account as of 8/15 (even though my rental bill has been paid, and all is ok with the car I returned.)
I might suggest a stopover in Palatka, FL with an overnight trip to nearby St. Augustine, FL. If you've never been to St. Augustine, I strongly suggest an overnight visit. Not sure of the cab fare; could be prohibitive, but I might consider it.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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I have a somewhat similar question to that of Sojourner.
I have often thought of an Amtrak trip along the the perimeter of the US, which would include either the Silver Service or Crescent.
One of the places I would like to visit is Asheville, North Carolina (the Biltmore Estate and other attractions). I know the Crescent stops in Gastonia, Spartanburg, and Greenville, but the arrival time isn't convenient (3:12 AM, 4:14AM, & 4:54am, respectively).
From the Amtrak timetables, I see the Carolinian stops off at Raleigh at a more useful hour, about 4:42 PM.
Are there conecting trains or bus services from Raleigh to Ashville? What about Spartanburg or Greenville Ashville? Possibly a car rental is the best bet.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Ms. Sojourner, at Palatka, there is a Quality Inn with nice river views within a walk of the train station; I stayed there once when it was a Holiday Inn circa 1984. Can't be sure about satisfying your penchant for ethnic foods beyond surely Mexican, but there are restaurants.
Also, if this is the stop off that you choose to rent, "everybody's favorite" Enterprise (mine to, for insurance rentals) has an office about half way between the station and the hotel I noted.
I'm certain you would find the rate at that Quality Inn to be quite acceptable.
Also, how about considering Mike's hometown of Ocala. I've been there many times, and I assure you it is an atractive city. There is a "hotel row" (restaurants too) along FL 200 on which essentially every major brand (plus independents) has a property.
No train service through there anymore (gone with the '04 "Bush Cuts"), but you could rent from that Enterprise outlet in Palatka.
Finally, the issue of encumbered credit line that Mike notes; that is certainly a good reason for using an American Express where there is no pre-set spending limit (none of that "a buck over and they turn you in"; however, I for one would not be about to charge up an around the world ticket without any kind of pre-approval). Also, none of this "better tell 'em in advance" of out-of-town trips such as I have found out the hard way you had best do with Bank of America.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Sojourner - You might find a stopover in Southern Pines, NC on the Silver Star route worthwhile. Charming downtown area though the hotels are mostly of the Holiday Inn Express type out by the by-pass...... though that is within two or three miles from the downtown Amtrak station.
Yukon, last I checked, Greyhound offered one direct bus each way between Greensboro, NC and Asheville each day. The Greyhound Station in Greensboro is in the old Railway Express Agency Building located maybe just 50 yards from the Amtrak waiting room.
Also, Greyhound subsidiary Southeastern Stages operates a once daily bus from Columbia, SC to Asheville, NC stopping in Spartanburg, SC along the way. This opens Asheville up for connecting passengers from both the Silver Star and the Crescent...... although the layovers are lengthy and include a bit of 'wee hours' waiting.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Also, how about considering Mike's hometown of Ocala. I've been there many times, and I assure you it is an atractive city. There is a "hotel row" (restaurants too) along FL 200 on which essentially every major brand (plus independents) has a property.
No train service through there anymore (gone with the '04 "Bush Cuts"), but you could rent from that Enterprise outlet in Palatka.
/QB]
Have to say that, unless you're into horses (specifically thoroughbreds), Ocala is a "move along, nothing to see here" town. The locals don't call it Slow-cala for nothing. Of course, you could get to our town on an Ambus from Jacksonville or Lakeland on one of the Silver Stars without renting a car. I only travel from Palatka (N/B) and Deland (S/B) as a protest to riding on rubber tires rather than steel wheels.
-------------------- Ocala Mike Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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Mike, I am "shocked" by your immediate posting.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The Southeastern Stages route cited above stops in Greenville, SC now and not Spartanburg. This is a bit surprising as Spartanburg is on I-26. Going into Greenville involves about 30 miles of non-interstate driving between Greenville and the NC state line.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Thank you all so much for the advice! I thought about Palatka (though I have been to St Augustine, should have mentioned that); also thought about Southern Pines but . . . in the end, I opted to go back to Charleston. There is plenty there I haven't seen & done, and the city does seem much more geared to someone visiting with no car--lots of bus tours, free trolley. The taxi fare from the train station to the tourist area is steep, but I got a great hotel rate weekdays off season . . . let's just hope the weather is nice enough (I don't mind a little chilly as long as I can take a boat ride, walk down by the water, and so on). I will try to do Beaufort (Yemassee) another time, southbound, and hopefully Southern Pines too!
BTW, Mr Norman, the reason I won't rent a car is not a cost thing--it's just never going to happen, unless I'm traveling with someone else who will drive.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: BTW, Mr Norman, the reason I won't rent a car is not a cost thing--it's just never going to happen, unless I'm traveling with someone else who will drive.
Ms. Sojourner, while I'm certain any Member here respects the privity of your personal affairs to the same extent as I do myself, it seems as if some of your "sojourns", such as those to each of the contiguous state capitals, would be quite simply unreasonable and impractical without the use of air and/or auto transportation. I for one do not consider it reasonable and practical to ride an intercity bus (an "icky Greyhound' in your terminology) overnight from anywhere in order to visit Pierre SD, and for that matter, Bismarck ND. Therefore, when I have responded to your topics on your proposed "sojourns', and considering all of your well-founded concerns with regards to personal security, when in my opinion it is simply "not worth it' to consider one without having an auto, I say so.
For the reasons you note, a visit to Charleston and a tour of the historic areas can be accomplished without renting an auto, but if for example you were a Civil War buff, then I would consider not having an auto visiting Charleston and vicinity to be an impediment to accomplishing the purpose of your trip.
You're the boss; I'm only trying to be helpful to a woman in the range of my age who certainly has far more "gumption" regarding travel than do I.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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DeLand, FL has a nice little downtown which includes Stetson University. Motels aren't far away...food for thought next time, Sojourner.
Yukon: For your purposes, it might be easiest to take the train into Charlotte and rent a car or all the way to Atlanta then rent from Avis on Courtland St. They pickup/drop at Amtrak and the trip to Asheville is a pretty 3 hour drive. If you have a room on the Crescent this will sure beat having to wake at an unpleasant early hour at one of the other stops. The Greenville station for one, is not close to downtown anymore.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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