The next thing I became aware of was
the dawn of Saturday June 12. I
returned to the Ocean View car to absorb and photograph the sunrise
over the plains of North Dakota. This day was going to be lengthy
and
cover many miles. Having never been to this area before, I was
now
going to understand the importance of the northern plains states to our
country and what the Empire Builder train means to the population
here. I noticed all the way through North Dakota, Montana and
eastern
Washington the ubiquitous grain elevators in almost every town.
In the
dome car, Curly had coffee brewing and I had the first of my 15
cups.
Mr. Gunn, known to be an early riser, eventually appeared in a
short sleeve button up shirt and jeans. Later he commented that
he
preferred to dress like the locals. I still maintained the golf
shirt
and shorts look. Even later, Mr. Gunn commented on the shorts
saying
he gave thought to bringing brought a pair.
Devils Lake, North Dakota was the
site of the Great Northern Hotel which is now being used as
apartments. It is still a handsome building. The BNSF
Devils Lake Station is in very nice condition.
The 75 Anniversary Empire Builder was
a celebration, not a party.
Amtrak has a policy that forbids passengers to consume their own
alcohol in areas other than a private sleeper and it is available in
the dining car with meals. The Ocean View and Beech Grove cars
did not have any alcohol available, only soft drinks, water, coffee and
tea. Amtrak employees are forbidden to consume alcohol while on
the train whether on duty or not. Since employees are not allowed
to consume, Mr. Gunn instituted the policy of no alcohol on the private
part of the train as well. Mr. Gunn shows his respect for
employees by being like them. I had brought a bottle of
California Red Zinfandel, but I was so busy that it never got
opened. Imagine that the wine travelled 6,000 miles and is just
now being consumed...at home!
The next town was Rugby North
Dakota. Here we see both sides of the train in this town.
The station has a sign that says "Welcome to the Geographical Center of
North America."
The next station stop was Minot,
North Dakota. This was by far the most exciting and well attended
stop.
So much happened here that you will see it on the next page!
