We had the extraordinary opportunity to plan a journey by rail across America and back for Jerice & Jon who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I wanted to write a story about their magical journey, but I could not do any better than what Jerice wrote us after they got home:
We are not travelers.
However, 50 years ago, we took a train across the continent and ended up in Anchorage where we eloped. To celebrate that momentous occasion, we thought “Let’s do it again!” Only this time, we wouldn’t go all the way to Alaska, and—oh, by the way—there’s this pandemic happening.
Before we ever considered an excursion, we were wary of how a travel agency could possibly help us. “How hard is it to book a trip? we thought.
But this was to be a special trip, and we were out of our depth.
Enter Cornucopia Journeys.
We told them our story and that we wanted to see the US by different rail routes; we said that we were fairly open to any of their ideas since our own were vague and unformed. We said we didn’t care much about the particulars but that we did want to see things we had only heard or read about.
Our personal needs were specific: a) No air travel and b) One of us can’t walk without assistance.
Those are rather more inconvenient needs than most travelers, and we knew they were getting themselves into some weedy work.
After we went back and forth a few times to narrow down travel dates and so that they could understand us better, they got going.
Cornucopia Journeys set us up with perfect train routes and accommodations, stops at fascinating areas with terrific hotels, really excellent restaurants, and utterly amazing entertaining, and best of all: thoroughly knowledgeable guides! (How did they FIND these people?)
Throughout our trip, they dealt with various confirmations and sudden changes (a snowstorm in May, COVID at a destination), allowing us to not worry about – well, anything!
We learned so much and were delighted, untroubled, and active for nearly an entire month, and even if we don’t last another 50 years, we’ll hire them again!!!
Best trip ever!!!
We could not be happier that the trip was such a success! May they revel in the memories for years to come!!! We only wish we had some pictures of them along the way. Next time...!!!