So the journey continues - After leaving my job of 18+ years, and selling my house of 30 years I packed up my Seattle life into a small storage unit and onward and upward. 

I set off on Amtrak's Empire Builder for Chicago.  The train left a little late but I had a view of Puget Sound for the first thirty miles before the train turned east.  In Montana there was a soybean spill (about 10 cars).  Fortunately the spill occurred right where the East and West trains pass, so after a short bus ride, the passengers of the trains were switched and we were on our way again.  Since passenger trains travel on rails owned by the freight trains, we were switched to a different route.  The train arrived in Chicago about 10 hours late.  Since I had no real time constraints the delay didn't cause me any angst, but after 40 hours on a train your bum gets a little sore.

I spend the weekend in Chicago with my nephew and his wife.  There are incredible hosts.  Both are excellent cooks and I enjoyed walking around their neighborhood, Wicker Park with them and their dog Trout.

Then I started my 15 day tour of New York, Boston, Philly and Washington DC.  Highlights included museums, a play, the Freedom Trail, Independence Hall, a Quaker Meeting Hall and Congress.  I sat in the Senate Gallery and the full Senate voted on two proposals to keep the sequestration from going into effect.  A fascinating experience to watch.  Needless to say no trip would be complete without food.  I supped on deli sandwiches in New York, lobster rolls in Boston, cheesesteak in Philly and Bean Soup in Washington DC. Other than taxi rides to and from train stations and two subway rides, I hoofed it.  As a woman who I met while standing in line at a museum said "my dogs were barking."

Then on to Michigan to visit with my sister, her family and my mother before I begin my big adventure to Azerbaijan in April.  I head to Washington DC on April 4th and leave the next day with my fellow AZ11s.  We will be the 11th group of Peace Corps trainees heading to Azerbaijan.