Travel Diary

I had a late morning flight and a reminder of how bad SeaTac crowds can be. Sometimes the long lines are just mind-numbing. Like how bad is this going to get? But I finally boarded and soon was flying to San Jose. There, I exited the airport and walked along the trail for about an hour. It was my first time taking the ACE Rail train, so getting to the station was the first mission. But I eventually located it. (Notably, I would later learn that there is a free bus (number 60) that takes people right to the train station for free every 10 minutes.) Though it was fun to walk that time.

I had some time to kill before the 2pm train arrived, so I made a few videos and then went up to the track. My tickets were bought using the online app, which was pretty easy to do. And the price was great. Around $10. The big train finally arrived and I boarded, electing to sit up on the second level. We then departed, heading north.

The journey was pleasant as the train hugged the waterline. It was a bright sunny day and I stared out the window to take it all in. Very rewarding. We passed by Levi Stadium and then Fremont, through Niles Canyon and finally into Pleasanton, where I exited. The station there is just a train stop in a parking lot next to the Fairgrounds. I’d never been there before, despite commuting to the South Bay for a year of my life.

From there, I decided to walk to the hotel, several miles away. I passed by old streets in town and places I once jogged past. It was a pain to drag along my suitcase and carry my backpack, but worth it to save money and take in the old sites. And again, wonderful weather.

At the hotel, I checked in and then went shopping. I bought some diet soda, tv dinners, and even some ice cream treats. No booze for this trip. Then it was some online games with friends and retire to bed.