Unusually, both cities on this trip were the capitals of their respective states. Their capitol buildings turned out to be unexpected delights.

"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."

Unusually, both cities on this trip were the capitals of their respective states. Their capitol buildings turned out to be unexpected delights.

A combined collection from 2022’s visits to Salt Lake City in January and May.

With Salt Lake City hosting four climbing word cups on back-to-back weekends, I returned for a second visit in 2022.

In less than two weeks I was able to double the number of US States I’ve meaningfully visited, by hopping on and off the California Zephyr.

Arguably Amtrak’s most scenic route, the California Zephyr allows a great variety of landscapes to be sampled from the comfort of a lounge or sleeper car. Here’s some of what I experienced during a winter run with the snow often piled high!

I took on the entire 52 hour, 2400 mile journey from Chicago to Emeryville on the California Zephyr – but rather than one epic ride, I split it into six pieces across nine days. Here’s how those went.