Tuesday, January 20, 2026
When the train has been delayed it’s hard to know when you will get to your stop. We planned to get off in Fullerton, originally scheduled for 7:10am-ish. The Amtrak website continued to say we were on time – yet at midnight we were a solid three hours behind. A third-party website recommended by our steward said 10am. Mmm. Seemed more likely.
It was an up and down morning from about 6-8, then our steward said we had to get out of our room about 8:15. There was reason to believe we might get there shortly after 9, so we took our stuff and waited by the door – for about 100 minutes. The last five miles took over 45 minutes. Poor train people.
On the platform, Keith was trying to figure out where to ask a Lyft to come. I was answering work texts. I looked up and he was gone. I saw a person down by the end of the platform and set off. As I approached, I realized my target person was a woman wearing a reddish pink sweatshirt.
I just stood there, wondering where he went. I was lost. It was hilarious. I had to work hard not to just collapse with the giggles.
I heard wheels on concrete and looked down at the street. There he was, following me. I was found!
Our Lyft zoomed us right down the street to our hotel. We checked in, showered, then napped. Perfect.
Daniel and Amanda arrived in the early evening, and we grocery shopped and visited. Benjamin messaged that he was about half an hour away. I walked downstairs early and he stepped out of his Uber as I got there.
The gang is assembled. The party starts tomorrow.
Party on…..