Trip Reports by our Clients:
Amtrak's Empire Builder
by Kathy and Mike Kopach
October 20, 2001
Dear Sylvia and Ted:
Mike and I arrived home safely early on Saturday morning. We were tired
but really had a wonderful, wonderful trip. We were fortunate as the only
time delay we experienced was in Cleveland on the morning we left, and that
was only an hour. Other than that all of the connections were right on time.
We have noticed a downward trend in the service of the onboard staff. On
this trip we fared about 50/50 when it came to good crew and bad crew. This is
especially noticeable in the dining car. We were very fortunate as the crew on the
Empire Builder from Essex to Chicago was sensational. Our car attendant couldn't
have done more for all of the passengers, he took so much pride in his job and it showed.
Of course the Izaak Walton Inn was as beautiful as we remembered and
Larry and Linda were gracious as were their staff. The mix up with the
reservations put us in the Burlington Northern caboose and we just loved it. So
sometimes adjustments in plans turn out for the best. We had rain, sunshine and
snow so we got to see this gorgeous area in all kinds of weather conditions. We
both want to extend a grateful thank you to you for the kind e-mail message
you sent to IWI and the treat to a dinner. On our last night at IWI we had a
wonderful steak dinner and it was all so beautiful and delicious.
Mike did quit his job so it will be a while before we will do any major
traveling again but when we do we will be sure to call on your services.
Thanks again for caring and doing such a tremendous job.
Cordially,
Kathy and Mike Kopach
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