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Miss Cherry Pie Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, Montana Age and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications Specialist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse Practitioner Engagement Date: August 26, 2006 Wedding Date: September 2008 Blogging Since: April 1, 2008 Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National Park About Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
 
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Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, Montana Age and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications Specialist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse Practitioner Engagement Date: August 26, 2006 Wedding Date: September 2008 Blogging Since: April 1, 2008 Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National Park About Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
About Miss Cherry Pie

So Much for the Train Trip

May 15th, 2008 @ 2:58 pm by Miss Cherry Pie

Late last week, my mom decided that she’d like to join me on my trip to Montana for my Super Wedding Weekend. At first, I was a little worried about my mom being there. It meant that couldn’t have any “secret single behavior” time on my grand solo adventure.

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I don’t know what “secret single” things I imagined doing out there in a secluded cabin, but I don’t get to spend a lot of time alone, so I was looking forward to it.

Anyway, after about five minutes of selfish wheedling, I realized just how great it was that my mom wanted to come. She’s been very busy and somewhat detached from the wedding planning process so far, and I’ve gotten used to that. On the one hand, I’ve been happy that neither she, nor Mr. Cherry Pie’s mom, nor any other relative tried to take the reigns from me. On the other hand, I’ve felt overwhelmed by the planning at being somewhat alone in my enthusiasm for the wedding a lot of the time.

I’ve been so used to going it alone that it didn’t even occur to me to ask her to come with me. Once I realized that this would be the perfect way to get my mom involved in the planning process, I was really psyched. We’d get to do wedding stuff… together!

I looked into getting her a discount Amtrak ticket but they were sold out. No big, right? We could get a regular ticket, maybe even a sleeping compartment for the overnight trip! I called up Amtrak to ask about the price of splitting a sleeping compartment.

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It looked fun, but it just wasn’t affordable for a weekend trip. No worries, right? We can handle sitting in coach seats for one night. Then I asked about packing up our bikes for transport.

They told me that we couldn’t take bikes on the train.

Welllll, we were kind of relying on the bikes to get to the cabin, being that there are no shuttles or other public transport running this early in the season. And bike transport was the reason I bought my ticket in the first place.

They explained that West Glacier is a carry-on, carry-off station only, meaning that they don’t stop long enough to unload checked bags and bikes. They said we could train into Kalispell and rent a car or ride our bikes or the bus from there. Aside from getting ridiculously complicated, the train trip combined with other time/money expenditures was looking quite expensive.

So Amtrak is refunding my ticket and mom and I are driving out to Montana today. It’s a 10-hour drive and the cost of gas will equal the cost of my discount train ticket. We’ll take turns driving (like Mr. Cherry Pie and I usually do) and enjoy the scenery. It’s supposed to be gorgeous, green, and UNSEASONABLY warm out there this weekend.

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I’m bringing my bathing suit!

I am disappointed because I really, really wanted to take the train… I never have! But, I’m glad I called Amtrak to ask about a ticket for my mom because otherwise I would have shown up to the station today with my bike and then I woulda been sh*t outta luck. So my grand solo adventure is looking slightly less solo and slightly less grand but it will be an adventure nevertheless.

With everything we have planned—floral appointment, food and cake tastings, hair and makeup trial, listening to our band, and visiting our venue to plot the ceremony and reception locations— I’ll have a lot to report on when I come back on Monday. If there’s anything in particular you’d like to hear about, comment to let me know and I’ll fill you in when I get back.

(Image Sources: 1, 2, 3)

10 Responses to “So Much for the Train Trip”

1.
SKM says:

I just hope you have a great time! :)

2.
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Miss Tiramisu says:

Good luck! Can’t wait to hear about all the details :) I’ll be making a 10-hour trip (up to Maine) next week myself… sometimes just getting in the car and going is way less complicated than the other options. Have fun with your mom!

3.
suzanno says:

It will be big fun to have a road trip with your mom. Almost every time I have moved (many) my mom flies out and makes the drive with me to wherever my new home will be, and then flies home from there. It’s not only great not to have to take care of all the details and make the drive alone, but to be able to spend some time with her. And how else would I know what a speed demon she is, or that she can eat an astounding amount of salt water taffy?

4.
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Miss Penguin says:

I ride the Amtrak often (granted, only a 2 hour trip each way) and it really is wonderful, so I’m bummed youre missing out. The sleeper coaches look so fun. I feel like if I ever did a sleeper car ride I’d have to get crazy, Darjeeling Limited style :)

Anyhoo, Mr. Peng has family out in Kalispell, so wave hi for me if you pass by! And in the end, while the biking sounded faboo, you have so much to do this weekend, your car might be your sanity saver :)

5.
KatyStardust says:

Man oh man am I jealous of that weather! I was enjoying the Cali springtime - until Mr. Sweaty decided to come by for a visit with his over 100 degree weather. Ah well.

6.
MissMandy says:

Sorry that it didn’t work out for you.

Future Train tip:

Book Coach. Once you’re in motion, ask for the conductor so you can upgrade to a roommette. They’ll give you a HUGE discounted rate and you’ll save a ton. ;)

Always check beforehand to see if they’re sold out, too. Usually they’re not.

7.
just sayin' says:

I sure hope your guests find it easier…

8.
Miss Cherry Pie says:

@just sayin’: Don’t worry, it will be much easier for our guests! First of all, only a handful are taking the train. None who I know of want to travel with bikes. Secondly, for those who travel by train, a shuttle will be available into the Park—we were unable to use the shuttle because it starts to run this week. We’re simply visiting before the season starts. For everyone who flies in, there will be shuttles or rental cars. The airport is only 22 miles from the park entrance.

@MissMandy: Yes, I was planning, when I thought I was going by myself, to ask once I boarded or at the station. I was sure I could get a discount! I’ll let our guests know. :D

9.
Packing it Up » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog says:

[…] following Miss Cherry Pie’s lead, getting in my car, and making the looooong drive to my wedding location! After a stop in […]

10.
Miss Cherry Pie Returns From Big Sky Country! » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog says:

[…] you heard from me, I was headed out to Montana for my Super Wedding Weekend. As I wrote, I didn’t get to take the train because I couldn’t take my bike on board, which I […]


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