Entry 1: Amtrak's trains are too DOG-MAD LONG!

Ive starte my trip to California! Got on an train to Washington DC where I stopped at Ben's Chili Bowl for a chili dog (it was pretty satisfying)

and then rode my way down to Alexandria station in Virginia to catch the silverline train to Jacksonville. 

(Love taking pics of bridges)

Just getting on the train was a whole episode. I had to take my heavy-ass bags off my bike so they could load up just my bike at the end of the train and then they told me to hurry over to the start of the train all the way at the front. I was literally the last guy to board so the train was waiting for me and I hauled ass with both of my stupid heavy panniers to the front. By "haul ass"...i only really hauled ass not even 10 yards before i ran out of steam.....i shoulda packed lighter... Anyway, ine of the conductors took petty on me and grabbed half of my load and walked me to the door and i got on. They also told me the would have waited for me....well the people at the back sure said different. Any way so far I've travelled 225 miles today (i only cycled 10 miles and the rest was the train to DC) and hopefully by tomorrow I'll have traveled another 809 miles (via Amtrak) Expense-wise; today I spent $15.71 on the chili dog and onion rings, $128 for the ticket to DC and $148 for the ticket to Jacksonville. Anyway Ill be in Jacksonville tomorrow morning where my trip will officially start!