While in college, I wanted to come home for Christmas but the flights from Missoula to Detroit were in the neighborhood of $600. The train from Whitefish to Ann Arbor was under $200. For my parents, who were paying, the choice was easy.

It takes approximately 36 hours to travel by train from Whitefish MT to Ann Arbor MI. There are many stops along the way, with people coming and going all the while. I made the trip several times (round trip) while attending the University of Montana.

The Empire Builder runs from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago. I would board the train near Glacier National Park in the town of Whitefish Montana. Before even stepping foot on the train I would have already driven through the Mission Mountains and around the stunning Flathead Lake (The largest freshwater lake west of the MIssissippi River), while making the 3 hour trek to Whitefish.

Once on the train, I met many interesting people from around the country and world. One memorable encounter was a night of drinking whiskey with a mexican muralist that was traveling to Chicago to work on an outdoor art project. He spoke poetically about his life as an artist in mexico and as a thank you for the whiskey, he sketched a drawing of me.

The Empire Builder starts off heading through Glacier National Park and some of the prettiest mountains in the Rockies, it's a fantastic way to start a trip. The train travels for about 30 hours with many, MANY stops along the way, finishing in Chicago. It's a really interesting juxtaposition to begin your journey in the heart of the American Rockies and end it in the heart of one of her largest cities. You essentially trade mountains for sky scrapers and I always felt that the majesty they both command is quite similar.

In Chicago I would jump on the Twilight Limited which would then take me to Ann Arbor. A memorable encounter on the Twilight Limited led to an early return to Chicago to spend a weekend with a girl I met on the train. -Thank you Amtrak.

Some tips on taking the Empire Builder:

1. Bring Food, lots of it. Not just for you, but for other people too. First time, cross-country train travelers will often forget to bring food and it's a nice thing to be able to share. Coolers are okay to bring on board. -Food on the train is expensive

2. Bring Whiskey - Everyone loves whiskey. Not acceptable to have an open bottle of whiskey. Bust out that flask you never use.

3. If you are a smoker be advised that the smoking car is possibly the most disgusting thing I've ever encountered. If you are a non-smoker, it doesn't matter… you'll still get whiffs.

4. Bring a sleeping bag and a pillow. Perhaps a sleeping "pad".

5. At night, go in to the Observation Car and sleep. There is a good 2 feet space between the chairs and the glass and you can sprawl out on the ground. This is way more comfortable than sleeping in your normal seat, plus you don't have to fend off people trying to take the empty seat next to you. -Valuable real estate as the train fills and you want to stretch and sleep.

6. Bring water. Lots.

7. Be prepared for strange smells.

8. Bring playing cards

9. Meet people. The train is a great place to be social, you have just enough time to get to know someone well. Planes don't provide this and people rarely stay in touch after meeting on a flight. I have corresponded at least two people that I've met on the train.

10. If you run out of the whiskey, if you hurry, there is a stop in one of the Dakota's right next to a bar and you can run out, in to the bar and they'll sell you a bottle ;-) But hurry... they will leave without you.

Happy tracks!

Have any of you ever made a similar trek in the US? How about in Europe? I've never traveled euro-rail but I've heard good things. I'd be interested in hearing about the differences. I imagine the difference is night and day.