Hey there hi there ho there...
So it's been nearly 10 years since we last tried Amtrak's Autotrain from Lorton VA to Sanford FL. Our little Slapperina was just an infant, we thought it might be an adventure. My wife Slappette really didn't like it, even with a private bedroom with bath. This was still at a time where they had smoking lounges so the stench carried through the cars which bothered her. But mostly it was li'l Slapperina, crying and refusing to sleep unless I held her all bloody night, each way. We huddled together on the bottom bunk, me sitting with the baby on my lap, not sleeping at all, my wife dozing in fits and starts next to me. AC on the way back wasn't working very well so we were hot and miserable. Very self conscious about being the couple with the screaming baby. Fun fun fun.
Since then with one exception we've driven down for all subsequent trips (plus I flew down once solo for a trip to meet other family). Now we've decided to give it another go. We got an Amtrak Mastercard and put enough $ on it (that we paid back immediately) to get 20000 bonus points, which we applied, at first, towards a family bedroom. But when Slappette was reminded that these rooms don't have their own private bath, she got skittish again. It only takes a few inconsiderate slobs to stink a place up. So I decided to surprise her by paying for the points necessary to get both a regular bedroom (which does include a bathroom) and a roomette. She and the girls will get the bedroom and the agent arranged for them to have the room closest to the roomettes, and for me to have the roomette closest to them (a stairway to the bottom floor separates us). One of the girls might sleep with me but it makes sense for them all to be in the room with the bathroom a: in case they need it and b: if I wind up waking up needing to go (spoiler - I'm old, so yes, yes I will) there's not a time when they're alone in an unlocked room. That might change depending on my wife's comfort factor at the time.
We're still planning on driving back, probably not leaving until afternoon of our check out day, only driving to Jacksonville for the night, then do the bulk of the driving the next day.
So...question: We know the drop dead last-possible minute time of arrival at the Lorton station is 2:30. We intend to at least be in the area way before that, probably leaving NJ at 8-9, be in the area 11-12 if there's no traffic. We might just have a nice leisurely meal near the station, but I was also thinking about packing a picnic and eating nearby if there's a park or some relatively nice area. Anyone have any suggestions of either a decent restaurant or a nice picnic-worthy park? I can't remember if there's a place outside the station itself worth a picnic? I know there's a tiny playground on site but that might be too teeny and babyish for even my younger girl. Any tips or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks.
So it's been nearly 10 years since we last tried Amtrak's Autotrain from Lorton VA to Sanford FL. Our little Slapperina was just an infant, we thought it might be an adventure. My wife Slappette really didn't like it, even with a private bedroom with bath. This was still at a time where they had smoking lounges so the stench carried through the cars which bothered her. But mostly it was li'l Slapperina, crying and refusing to sleep unless I held her all bloody night, each way. We huddled together on the bottom bunk, me sitting with the baby on my lap, not sleeping at all, my wife dozing in fits and starts next to me. AC on the way back wasn't working very well so we were hot and miserable. Very self conscious about being the couple with the screaming baby. Fun fun fun.
Since then with one exception we've driven down for all subsequent trips (plus I flew down once solo for a trip to meet other family). Now we've decided to give it another go. We got an Amtrak Mastercard and put enough $ on it (that we paid back immediately) to get 20000 bonus points, which we applied, at first, towards a family bedroom. But when Slappette was reminded that these rooms don't have their own private bath, she got skittish again. It only takes a few inconsiderate slobs to stink a place up. So I decided to surprise her by paying for the points necessary to get both a regular bedroom (which does include a bathroom) and a roomette. She and the girls will get the bedroom and the agent arranged for them to have the room closest to the roomettes, and for me to have the roomette closest to them (a stairway to the bottom floor separates us). One of the girls might sleep with me but it makes sense for them all to be in the room with the bathroom a: in case they need it and b: if I wind up waking up needing to go (spoiler - I'm old, so yes, yes I will) there's not a time when they're alone in an unlocked room. That might change depending on my wife's comfort factor at the time.
We're still planning on driving back, probably not leaving until afternoon of our check out day, only driving to Jacksonville for the night, then do the bulk of the driving the next day.
So...question: We know the drop dead last-possible minute time of arrival at the Lorton station is 2:30. We intend to at least be in the area way before that, probably leaving NJ at 8-9, be in the area 11-12 if there's no traffic. We might just have a nice leisurely meal near the station, but I was also thinking about packing a picnic and eating nearby if there's a park or some relatively nice area. Anyone have any suggestions of either a decent restaurant or a nice picnic-worthy park? I can't remember if there's a place outside the station itself worth a picnic? I know there's a tiny playground on site but that might be too teeny and babyish for even my younger girl. Any tips or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks.
