With National Train Day fast approaching in May, we thought it would be a most opportune time to bring you member MilwVon’s recent trip, “a train-based getaway utilizing Amtrak to see a little slice of America via the rails.” While neither the “Midnight Train to Georgia” or “The Last Train to Clarksville,” we do get to experience the Empire Builder to Montana. With four days on the train and an additional two days in Whitefish, Montana, MilwVon accomplished one of her travel desires. “I've always wanted to experience the Amtrak and taking the train to Glacier National Park has been a bucket list item for me for a while now.”
Encountering high winds, a blizzard and the remnants of a North Dakota flood were just some of the details described. The trip was enhanced by traveling one leg of the journey with her sister and nephew and also capturing beautiful shots of Glacier National Park. But it was the bonding and human interaction that really sold us. MilwVon tells it best.
“It was very interesting to get to meet and chat with so many other people traveling for the first time on Amtrak. Consensus was that it was a good time, and that folks were impressed at just how good the food and comfort were on the train.
During breakfast my first full day on the train, I was seated with a young man who was working in the energy fields of North Dakota. He and his family lived near St. Cloud, MN but he trained weekly to Stanley, ND for work. He said that he shared a small "house" that was more like a mobile storage unit with three other guys. It wasn't pretty he said, but it was a place to go to bed every night after long 12-14 hour work shifts. It sounded like a really hard life to me, but it was something he was willing to do to support his wife and kids.
It is experiences like that, sharing a meal with a stranger and learning more about how others live that riding the Amtrak made possible. For the opportunity to explore, see and learn about something beyond my normal field of view was the most special thing about this trip."
If Amtrak is looking for an unsolicited testimonial, they should look no further than this engaging travelogue. “At the very least, I think everyone owes it to themselves to take at least one Amtrak adventure in their lifetime.”
Check out hotels in Glacier National Park
Check out things to do in Glacier National Park
Check out photos of Glacier National Park
Posted by Nik'sMom (Terre Grilli)
Comment by MilwVon on March 30, 2025
Thank you for selecting my Amtrak Adventure as the "Traveler of the Week" feature!
I believe you truly captured the essence of my trip in your article . . . for that I'm greatly appreciative. It was a wonderful experience and as you closed with my commentary . . . "everyone owes it to themselves to take at least one Amtrak adventure in their lifetime."
Have a wonderful weekend!
Von