Amtrak Northeast Corridor > Flying

Flying in post-9/11 America is a unique combination of boring, stressful, and submission to authority. Taking the Amtrak from Providence to DC hasn't just been relaxing, it's been interesting. Today I've seen:

• A fire at an industrial plant in (or just outside) New York City, with smoke pouring from the building & fire trucks out front
• A play at the plate in a softball game (safe), which took place 300 yards from the fire
• Four osprey fishing, likely while on their way south for the winter
• Half a dozen people fishing, which relaxes me just watching them

Yes, it takes longer. But I've gotten a ton of work done & had a pretty good time doing it. The only downside: Amtrak's cafe car remains unfriendly to my reusable mug, but then again airline flight attendants aren't any friendlier.