If you are anything like I am, I love to get out of the house and go….anywhere! But the question for me is always the same, “Where can I go, that doesn’t cost a lot of money in a weekend and still feel like I went on vacation?”

WELL, I found a little known secret that is worth sharing. It's called Amtrak. Yup, that is what I said; this little transportation company has service all over the United States (with Via Rail connecting in Canada). It is very possible to take a train ride in your home state from the big city to a small town for a weekend getaway for very little money at all; and just to prove it, I took my family of 4 with me!

We started our mini vacation in Austin, TX where the weekend caretaker of the station there told us that very few people realize how economical and fun taking the train really can be. He showed us all of the train schedules as well as the travel guides available to us for the taking. The station was a wealth of information about destinations all over the United States. I found myself looking through some of the guides wanting to plan a second trip before I even took my first.

When our train arrived, the shear size of it was amazing. The silver and blue chariot was a site that, to a first time train traveler, was a bit overwhelming. I had visions of Casablanca running in my brain as I walked along side with smoke coming from underneath the cars to meet our Assistant Conductor. He, along with the rest of the staff aboard Amtrak were friendly and courteous, there to serve their passengers with pride. I don’t think I spoke with one employee of Amtrak that was disappointed with their position aboard the train. They all enjoyed traveling and meeting new and interesting people everywhere they went. Once we were on our way to my chosen destination of Cleburne, TX, I immediately found that I had to learn to walk. I think I did not too bad and only manage to acquire a few new bruises from bumping into chairs and tables. The passenger cars were divided into two stories, with the refreshment bar on the lower part of the car and the seating, observation/lounge on the upper part. The dining car of course was a separate car altogether as well was the sleeping cars, which we did not utilize on this trip.

With the ability to move about the train while it was in motion, I felt a freedom that I have never felt on an airplane, and I didn’t have to wonder what was holding us to the track (hint: minor fear of flying), the train felt strong and steady as we moved effortlessly through some of the most beautiful country in Texas. The one thing that really made an impression on me was how much I take for granted, even riding in a car. The character of the scenes passing by my observation window gave me a new appreciation for my home state and all it has to offer. I saw things like a guy riding a horse through a neighborhood, town squares that looked like a movie set, and beautiful lush farmland with crops blowing in a gentle breeze. My family enjoyed Amtrak and we have decided, why take a plane, when we can do the train! Since the train ride was only 4 hours, we arrived in Cleburne in plenty of time to walk around and visit some shops and drive through some of the other small towns surrounding Cleburne. The area was a mecca for antique shoppers. We even found a full fledged costume shop; complete with a Shark Costume that would give Jaws a run for him money! On a wall in Cleburne we discovered the not yet finished mural of the town’s namesake Col. Cleburne with a synopsis of his life’s story in vibrant colors.

I loved being able to go to dinner with my family, sharing laughter and just finding out what was going on in my two son’s lives since we hardly get to see each other at home with everyone’s busy schedule. It was a pleasure getting a feeling of camaraderie back again as we just spent time enjoying each others company.

After dinner we were driving back to our Bed and Breakfast when my husband spotted a movie theater playing the newest movie sensation. We decided to catch a movie and go back and relax for the rest of the evening. What a pleasant surprise to find out the movie would only cost $4.00 a person! Amazing, since going to see that movie in the city would have been at least twice that amount. Now well fed and entertained we retired at our Bed and Breakfast called the RV Ranch in Burleson, TX nestled between Cleburne and Fort Worth. The property is 64 acres huge, with room for 248 RV’s or Campers with full hookups as well as the 12 Suites and Country Cabins that compare to any Bed and Breakfast around. Our cabin was called Tranquility and it lived up to its name. My first impression upon entering the front room was how remarkably clean it was. Every fixture and piece of furniture was meticulously placed with just the right amount of comfort added. The bathroom, although small, was the most luxurious room in the cabin with towels so plush, you could sleep on them. The absence of a stove did not make one bit of difference to us. We threw the provided popcorn in the microwave and watched yet another movie on the complementary HBO provided. We had a few problems with the satellite in the bedroom – no fault of the RV Ranch, so we all cuddled up on the sofa bed to watch. I flashed back to when the kids were smaller and lying on the bed watching a movie was the adventure of the week. I loved the feeling, and reminiscing about it – wish I could have said that about the shootem’ up, blow up the cars, chase the bad guys movie my boys picked to watch (ha ha).

The next morning we still had time to go have a leisurely breakfast and walk around to find more interesting sites to see. For instance, the RailwayMuseum in Cleburne, and a blast from the past – a Gulf Service Station. I was thrown for a loop when I saw this. I could not believe there was an actual working Gulf Gas Station left in the United States. My youngest son asked, “Who are they?” I suddenly felt much older than any mother should. The architecture alone in some of the small towns we visited was extraordinary. Some of the buildings looked as if someone sculpted each by hand and placed them in the most utopian spot possible. Even at sixteen my youngest son was drawn by the beauty of the structures.

Before we knew it, time was up and we had to turn in our rental car to Enterprise Car Rental and walk over to the Amtrak Station for our return trip home. All in all, my family found our weekend to be just what we needed to get connected to each other again. I can say it was great to be able to do it for so little money and come home feeling rested and not stressed out about the drive or panicked about work.

Next family weekend – we go further on the train!