Train Trip 2013 - By the Numbers

Travel Days - 46 (one day drive, Saskatoon to Minot; 45 day rail pass; drive home after arriving in Minot on 45th day)

Distance traveled by train - 7040 miles = 11330 km

Nights spent on train - 6

Cost of 45 day Amtrak pass - $859 each = $1718 (This saved us $600 over what it would have cost without the passes. Plus we spent an additional $1198 on upgrades to sleeper class on the overnight segments. All meals are included when travelling sleeper class.)

Train segments used - 12 (out of a possible 18 individual train trips allowed on a 45 day pass)

Stops made - 15 - Seattle, Salinas/Monterey, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles (to transfer trains), Tucson, Alpine, New Orleans, Lake City (by bus), Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston, Charlottesville, Baltimore, Washington (to transfer trains), Chicago, Minot (start/finish location)

Santa Barbara Train Station

Longest time at any one place - 3 nights

Distance traveled by bus - 645 miles = 1040 km

Distance walked - Lots!

States visited or passed through - 25 (North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota)

Aquariums visited - 7 (Seattle, Monterey, Tucson, New Orleans, Charleston, Baltimore, Chicago)

Zoos visited - 2 (Santa Barbara, New Orleans)

Number of aquarium & zoo memberships Andrew bought - 9 (all of them, as a way to provide more support)

Favourite aquarium - Monterey (heavy emphasis on the environment, healthy oceans, sustainability; very kid friendly in many ways; friendly and helpful staff and volunteers)

Favorite place - Alpine, Texas (Our focus was on getting to Big Bend National Park and Alpine simply the stopover to get there. But the town was a very pleasant surprise -- lots of history, fantastic old restored hotel, several art galleries, a couple really nice restaurants and coffee shop.