Learning to live with macular degeneration has hidden benefits ranging almost from coast to coast.  I refer to them as seeing-eye daughters. Their unwritten and unexpected duties range from guarding against me stumbling over a curb or stepping in a hole to reading signs, newspapers and other media. I have never learned north from east so still do not attempt to give directions. 

Traveling in an Amtrak roomette with bathroom was a great experience shared by Becky, who became my companion while I toured as a senior citizen. I traveled from Whitefish, and she met me in Havre just in time for lunch and a wine and cheese party. It was also served in the diner, and we shared a table with two fun men from Australia. 

Becky obviously had the top bunk, which was furnished with a sturdy device designed much as a car’s seat belt to fasten her in. This also involved moving the ladder over so I could get out of my bed, and she could not climb down from the top bunk without moving it again. 

We discovered the train was three hours late when we woke up somewhere in North Dakota. Our capable attendant assured us Central Limited would wait for us in Chicago, and he would guarantee us a cart and attendant to take us to our connection. The two-hour layover in Chicago became about five minutes, and the Central Limited was just about 10 blocks’ ride in the cart with another couple. 

We were sorry travel through Ohio and Pennsylvania was during the night, but we woke early to enjoy traveling through small towns, flowering dogwood, wisteria, rhododendrons and deciduous trees. It just seemed a little while until Laurie met us at the Rockville, Md., train station

Next touring was in Stevensville on the Chesapeake Bay. Alayna took us to visit the town, including a Shay engine in their little park. She and Becky enjoyed finding shells on the beach, and we had fun with Chase, a high school senior, and Cody, active grade student. Laurie joined us at Stevensville, and we took the long way home to have lunch in Annapolis and a Greek dinner in another community. 

It will require more than one column to describe highlights of our fantastic trip, visiting Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D. C.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.