Between working, going to graduate school, raising kids, and apprenticing at a tattoo studio, my friends and I all have very different schedules.
So, when we can coordinate our busy lives to hang out, it's usually only for a few hours here and there.
A few years ago, I started brainstorming ways for us to connect over an extended period of time and came up with the perfect solution: a 14-hour round-trip Amtrak adventure.
When I first suggested the idea two years ago, I wasn't sure they'd be into it. None of us had ever done anything like it, but I thought it would be a great outlet for uninterrupted quality time. To my surprise, everyone was excited and ardently said yes.
Our journey was decided: We would take the California Zephyr train from Provo, Utah, to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and back.
The first girls' trip was so much fun that we decided to go again, and now it's become an annual tradition — and one of our favorite ways to spend time together.
The journey starts with an early wake-up, but we don't mind.
On the eastbound trip to Colorado, the train typically arrives at the station around 4:30 a.m., so we have to get up about an hour earlier to make it on time.
Even though it's the wee hours of the morning and the sun has yet to rise, my friends and I are always filled with excitement as the train rolls into the station and our trip begins.
Coach seats are much cheaper than a flight, and are surprisingly comfortable.
After boarding the train, we like to settle into our seats and sleep for a few hours until the sun comes up.
We usually purchase coach seats, which include a tray table, an electrical outlet, and a footrest.
These seats recline far enough and have plenty of legroom. I'm 5 feet, 4 inches tall and can still fully extend my legs. After putting on my eye mask and cozying up with my plush blanket, I immediately forget that I'm in coach.
Not only are the seats comfortable, but they're also affordable. For round-trip tickets, we usually spend between $40 and $70 per person.
The price was likely steeper this time around because I bought the tickets two months before the trip. So, I highly recommend purchasing them further in advance.
For us, taking the Amtrak train is cheaper than most plane seats between Utah and Colorado, and even less expensive than a road trip, depending on gas prices.
We always have the best time in the lounge car playing card games.
After a decent hot breakfast in the dining car, accompanied by views of the sunrise hitting the desert landscape, we like to head to the lounge.
The tables in this part of the train are perfect for sitting together as a group.
We pull from a conversation card deck, teach each other new games, and play some of our favorites, like Cards Against Humanity and Ransom Notes, which usually results in instant laughter.
The best thing about the train is the simplicity, which is exactly what we need when traveling as a group.
Taking the train makes our vacation straightforward. There are no flight connections, no waiting at baggage claim, and no ordering Ubers. No one has to drive, so we never have to switch drivers, deal with traffic, or stop at a gas station to use the restrooms.
There typically isn't any WiFi aboard our train, and I usually have spotty cell coverage, but I actually enjoy this offline element.
Spending less time on my phone allows me to pay more attention to the scenery, actually read the book I brought, and soak in these moments with my friends.
Plus, it gives us a chance to get into deep conversations. We talk about our career goals, our bucket list items, and our families, while taking in the stunning views outside the window.
The train ride is a great way for us to bond.
None of us ride public transit very often back home in Utah, so taking a train is out of the ordinary, especially a long-distance sleeper train like the California Zephyr.
Sometimes, I like to bring other people I know along for the ride, allowing them to meet my friends and become a part of the group by the end of the journey.
I'm so excited to continue this tradition with my friends, and maybe explore other places along the California Zephyr line, like Denver and San Francisco.
Overall, in just 14 hours of travel time together, we always make countless memories and even create new connections along the ride.
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Leighana Luther is a freelance writer based in Utah. She writes about health, science, and lifestyle topics.
