Everyone loves retro ads! The California Zephyr.

Yesterday, SFGate’s Bad Latitude took video of a train ride through the Sierras on Amtrak’s California Zephyr while it was snowing annnnnndddd it’s confirmed: it is, in fact, a winter wonderland up there. Clearly, we have all heard how wonderful the Sierras are during the winter, but there is nothing quite like a train ride (and a train with very large windows at that) through the mountains during a snowstorm, a snowstorm like the one that happened over the weekend. The video (I have no idea why this music was included):

See what I’m saying. Look how comfy they look. Can it beeeee anymore scenic out there? And, in case you aren’t familiar with Amtrak’s California Zephyr, get familiar. The train, which runs daily between Chicago and San Francisco (yes, Chicago to SF), travels through some of the most scenic spots in the west/midwest: the Sierras, the Rocky Mountains, the gorgeous vistas between Denver and Salt Lake City, the plains of Nebraska and the skyscrapers of Chicago (click here to read in detail about all of the locations the train hits). The biggest argument for riding this train, or any for that matter- You see everything in a different light, you’ll be able to see scenery that you can’t otherwise see via car or foot. Obviously, when riding the Zephyr, you don’t have to ride all the way to Chicago. And why would you, seeing that most of the spots you would take the train for are right here in California? Donner Lake, the Truckee River, the Sierras. If you like trains and like scenery, catch the train in Emeryville, take the train to Reno, take in a couple of days of skiing or gambling and then head back. It’s relatively cheap and relatively quick for what you get in return: a one way trip from Emeryville to Reno is around $50 and about 7 hours long. Once you’ve decided when you want to take the train you then have your choice of seat (the cheapest) or room, which ranges from “just for sleeping” to “all out apartment”.

Basically, what I’m trying to say with the post is: If you’ve lived in the California for years and you feel as if you’re doing the same outdoor activities over and over and over (which is far from bad), then this seems to be the perfect remedy. It’s a one of a kind trip (that you only need to take once), a trip that will leave memories far longer than the usual family drive to Tahoe.