Mapleton resident recounts 45-day trip on AMTRAK

4 years ago

On Monday, Nov. 4, Wayne Kennard of Mapleton gave video presentation of his 45-day trip on AMTRAK entitled “Where in the World is Wayne.” 

He bought a ticket that allowed him to travel over the AMTRAK Rail System for 30 days, during which he got off and back on the train 26 times.  His trip started and ended in Boston with stops and sightseeing in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Cabbage Town, Little Rock, New Orleans, Dallas, San Antonio, Alburquerque, Phoenix,  Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt lake City, Denver, Chicago and many other cities in between. He travelled more than 6,000 miles. An additional 15-day ticket was needed for Wayne to finish his trip. 

One of Wayne Kennard’s most memorable stops on his AMTRAK trek across America was his stop to see the Grand Canyon.  Here stands near the edge of the canyon that stretches out behind him.
(Courtesy of Wayne Kennard)

Wayne visited museums, national parks, historical sites, church cathedrals and many other special sites.  Among some of the more remarkable locations visited was the Coca Cola Museum, four presidential libraries, the Martin Luther King Museum, Alcatraz and the capital in Washington.   AirBnB’s and Youth Hostels were typical places he stayed when not on a train because of the low cost of these accommodations. Wayne kept his Facebook followers up to date with travelling experiences through his photos and stories of the people he met.

Wayne met and interviewed many folks he met each day of his trip, whether they were on the train with him or just in a store or restaurant he was visiting.  His one observation that stayed with him throughout the trip was his interactions with people along the way convinced that people across the country were friendly and helpful.  Many went out their way to help him find his way, provide him a special meal, make the place he was staying more comfortable or provide him with a memorable experience. One such memorable experience was the opportunity for Wayne to meet the State Treasurer of Arkansas, who in turn opened the state safe so Wayne could hold half a million dollars in his arms.

The Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Seniors enjoyed Wayne’s presentation as he took them from Boston across the United States and back to Boston.  He has another ticket given to him by AMTRAK for another trip to be taken within a year of this first trip. Wayne is making plans for that next trip and the Seniors are planning to hear of Wayne’s new travel adventures.  

On November 4, Wayne Kennard of Mapleton gave a video presentation to the Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Seniors at their regular potluck luncheon of his AMTRAK Trek that he made this past March and April of more than 6,000 miles with nearly thirty sightseeing stops he made along the way.  He started in Boston travelled down the east coast crossed over to the Midwest dropped through the Southwest and then up the west coast crossing the Rocky Mountains and great plains before ending back in Boston.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

If you are a senior and would like to listen to presentations such as Wayne’s, then you are invited to attend and join the group.  Dues are only $2.00 per year. The senior group meets on the first and third Mondays for lunch during the months of October to June. A great meal and a pleasant time with friends and neighbors are important aspects of the seniors group.  

The group engages in a wide variety of activities besides having a terrific potluck lunches.  They discuss issues such as dealing with dementia, consumer fraud and town issues. Sometimes they just have fun doing craft projects such as making soap, Christmas decorations or May baskets.  Occasionally, there is a semi-serious Bingo session.  

Plan on attending the Nov. 18 meeting of the Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Seniors. There will be good food and fun.  Please keep in mind the luncheon will be a potluck. Bring a dish and join the activities at the Mapleton Methodist Church starting at 11:30 a.m. and ending by 1 p.m. 

Landowner dinner 

The success of snowmobiling in Maine is largely due to landowners who graciously allow snowmobilers to cross their properties.  Without the access to snowmobile trails across many landowners properties, snowmobiling would be severely limited or nonexistent throughout the local area.  

The Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile and ATV Club enjoys thanking the landowners for their support to snowmobilers.  This appreciation comes in the form of a Landowner turkey supper. This Saturday, Nov. 16, the 2019 supper will start at 6 p.m. at the clubhouse in Chapman.

The supper will be free for club members with paid memberships and for all invited landowners.  If you plan to attend, an RSVP must be received by Susan Maynard at 764-1236 prior to the dinner. Susan reminds members that help is needed with the food.                                     

Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.