1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass final inspection at GM's Arlington Plant

Did You Know That the train route from San Francisco to New York is one of the longest and most scenic in the United States, crossing a wide range of landscapes and regions? The service is operated by Amtrak, but there is no direct train, usually requiring a transfer in Chicago. Here's a summary of the route:

Departure: San Francisco, California (Emeryville Station)
The journey typically begins at Emeryville Station, as there is no Amtrak station in San Francisco itself. However, there is a connecting bus service from downtown San Francisco.

Train: California Zephyr
From Emeryville, passengers board the California Zephyr, one of Amtrak’s most iconic routes. This train travels through the heart of the United States, passing stunning landscapes like the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.

Key destinations: Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha.
Travel time: Approximately 51-52 hours from Emeryville to Chicago.
Transfer in Chicago
At Chicago Union Station, passengers need to switch trains. The train that typically continues to New York is the Lake Shore Limited.

Train: Lake Shore Limited
This train follows the route along Lake Michigan and the Hudson River before reaching New York.

Key destinations: Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany.
Travel time: Approximately 20 hours from Chicago to New York.
Arrival: New York (Penn Station)
The journey ends at Penn Station in New York, located in the heart of Manhattan.

Total travel time:
Approximately 70 to 75 hours (depending on layover and transfer times in Chicago).

Pneumatic tubes were an innovative method of transporting mail between 23 U.S. Post Offices in New York City, covering a network of 27 miles. Introduced in the early 1900s, these tubes allowed for the rapid movement of letters and small packages through a system of underground pipes using air pressure.
The pneumatic tube system was particularly useful for expediting mail delivery in a busy urban environment, reducing reliance on traditional postal methods. It functioned by sending mail through tubes to various post offices, where it could be collected and sorted quickly.
The system operated effectively for several decades, enhancing the efficiency of the postal service in New York City. However, advancements in transportation and communication eventually rendered pneumatic tubes obsolete, leading to their discontinuation in 1957. Despite its end, the pneumatic tube system remains a fascinating chapter in the history of urban infrastructure and mail delivery.

Any fool can make a baby, but it takes a real man to raise his children

You didn’t lose the love of your life—you lost a parasite that was draining the life out of you. Narcissists aren’t soulmates; they are predators in disguise, and understanding this is crucial to your healing. The person you saw at the end of the relationship is who they truly are.

Their true nature was hidden behind a facade of charm, charisma, and manipulation. They lured you in with false promises, fake emotions, and a convincing act. But underneath it all, they were feeding off your emotional energy, chipping away at your self-worth, and eroding your sense of self.

What you experienced wasn't love; it was a toxic cycle of abuse where each day felt like a battle for survival. Their gaslighting, emotional blackmail, and constant criticism weren't signs of affection; they were tools of control and domination. Their infidelity, deceit, and lack of empathy weren’t mere mistakes; they were deliberate actions to exploit your vulnerabilities.

You didn’t lose a loved one—you escaped a toxic nightmare. You broke free from a cycle of abuse, and that takes incredible courage, strength, and resilience. Narcissists are incapable of genuine love; they only mimic it to get what they want.

To heal, you must accept the truth: you were not loved, you were used. You were a source of supply, a means to an end, and a pawn in their manipulative game. But now, you are free to rediscover yourself, embrace true love, and live a life filled with purpose, joy, and authenticity.

You deserve real love, genuine connection, and healthy relationships. You deserve to be seen, heard and understood. You deserve to be valued, respected, and cherished. Never settle for anything less. You are worthy of love, and it will find you when you least expect it.

Camouflage over the Lockheed Aircraft plant in Burbank, CA during World War II, making it appear that the area was rural.

1969 and 1970’s cars for well below $3000.

Family isn't what it used to be. It used to be a time when you could go to Grandma's house to eat, hang out with the family, and just have a good time. Now, everyone chooses who they want to be with. Aunts and uncles pick which kids to be proud of. Brothers and sisters treat friends more like family. Cousins talk bad about each other like they aren't flawed. Grandparents favor certain grandkids. And often, the only time you see everyone together is at a funeral.