Comfort zone? That would be in combat, I truly miss it. I almost wish I had rented a plane, yes, I can fly fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Being on a train is almost like a Greyhound bus….help! The last time I was on a train was West Germany in the military back in the 80’s. Troop trains are the lowest priority, even garbage trains have the right of way. A 4-hour car ride ends up being a 24-28 hour trip. Stuffed into each other with all the equipment and no air flow. Ripe. I have been on a bus before, NEVER again. Enough said. So back to the train, I have never traveled with a large group of civilians before. It has always been a military deployment, not a vacation (well we always looked forward to our combat time)! This will be my first vacation in almost 6 years!

Well the first main stop was Memphis, looks very nice even in the dark. Modernized and very architecturally appealing. Then we passed into Mississippi, trust me you can tell the very moment that happened. Looking out the window was very depressing. So much trash and poorly maintained housing. I did love it when we passed the many mangrove swamps. Took me back to Ranger training. Now in the Army when we wake up at various hours while traveling we are all very quiet if some of us are still sleeping, especially since this might be our last true rest for some time. Not civilians. Loud, talking, impervious to those around them. Well our glorious teacher shared bread with a few of us this morning. By bread I mean leftovers lol. On the way, back from the observation car this morning Andrew and I looked down and found a bullet. What can I say, I’m up for any excitement, it’s been awhile.

Lots of flooded fields and thousands of birds out the window. The train is bouncing around so bad, reminds me when we were flown out to a Navy Cruiser on the Mediterranean and a storm came up. It was pitching so bad we were literally walking on the bulkheads of the ship as it rolled. Bulkhead, deck, bulkhead back and forth. The scenery shouldn’t surprise me. Living along-side tracks are the low-income areas these days, not like many years ago, when it was more of a status symbol. My neck hurts fairly bad from my on and off napping. I haven’t done the neck roll in many years. I did expect more green this far south, most places I have been in the south stay green even in the winter. Maybe the trees are even depressed here.

Ok train station here we are, so glad to be off that train! Just want to shower and shave. However first we must get to the hotel, were calling Uber, it’s my first time. So far it’s cleaner and nicer than any taxi I’ve been in, plus whole lots cheaper. Well don’t tell anyone I am kinda looking forward to this.