DC Trip - Day 4

For some reason, I was up very early (0500).  Unfortunately, I couldn't go back to sleep so did some reading and then packed up my stuff early.  I left my hotel room at 0615, checked out of the hotel and stopped in at the McDonalds next door to get some breakfast (0625).  From there, I walked to the Crystal City Metro Station (the weather was great again).  Next, I made my way (by Yellow Line and Red Line) to Union Station.  I arrived there by 0715 and ate my breakfast in the Amtrak waiting area.  At 0800, we were told to get in line for boarding The Vermonter.  However, we were delayed (no announcements) and, by the time we were finally allowed on the train, we departed about 20 minutes late.  I got a "your train is delayed" message when we were already almost to New Carrolton...  Fortunately, I managed to get a seat in the quiet car and got some work done for most of the ride to NYC,  Sadly, the internet was not reliable and several people around me completely ignored the quiet rules.  The worst thing of all, though, was when we got to Penn Station and the crew changed - the new conductor(s) were rude, loud, annoyed and threatened to throw people off the train who didn't cooperate.  It took a while to get back to working after that...  We reached New Haven (still late) and I got to walk around for a little while.  I asked one of the conductors about the sleeper car that had been on the train in DC but had "mysteriously" vanished along the way (he said it was unusual to have it).  By 1350, we departed (with our newly installed diesel engine) and headed north along the Connecticut River.  We stayed behind schedule until we reached Springfield (only about 10 minutes late) and then proceeded to sit at the platform for almost 30 minutes.  The doors were all closed, the announcements were vague and hard to hear - sheesh...  We finally got moving again at 1535 (the turn around maneuver wasn't as bad as the last time).  After a full day of meetings and other work, I turned off my computer at around 1630 and looked out of the window for the rest of the trip.  We passed homeless encampments, kids waving, flooding and other familiar scenery.  The Vermonter stayed behind schedule all the way home and arrived in White River Junction at 1830. I immediately got in my car and started driving towards the UVAC - the Amtrak was so slow in departing that I actually easily beat it across the railroad crossing.  I hadn't made a reservation for a swim lane and, when I was suited up, found all of the lanes filled.  Fortunately, the Warm Water pool was completely empty - as a result, I was able to swim for 30 minutes (34 lengths).  It felt strange (and, I imagine, the lifeguards thought it was unusual) but I was glad to log some laps.  Afterwards (1920), I drove to West Lebanon to do some shopping at Shaw's (done at 1940).  Back home by 2000, I unpacked and finally got a chance to relax.  Very glad to be done with this work trip (and hope there aren't many more required for a while)...