Australia: Ideas for IECA and the SOIL Fund from “Down Under”

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12 August 2025: Riding the Rails from Denver to Chicago – Part 1

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Story and photos by Will Mahoney   Those of you who know me well have learned that I have an unusual, nerdy hobby:  stamp collecting.  I was infected by this affliction at age 6 just after starting first grade in Southern Pines, North Carolina in 1952.  I now specialize in stamps of the colonies, territories, and protectorates of the British Empire and my collection is housed in more than 100 three-ring binders.  I won’t bore you with further details but would be glad to regale interested parties with countless stories about, and scans of, my collection. A silly hobby, yes, (aren’t most hobbies?) but it has had a major influence on my life.  It got me interested in the world at an early age which eventually led to an M.A. in geography which, along with my undergrad degree in geology, was an excellent background for my career in environmental science.  When I realized earlier this year that the 4-day Great American Stamp Show (probably the largest annua...
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13 August 2025: Riding the Rails from Denver to Chicago – Part 2

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Story and photos by Will Mahoney   I awoke around 6:20AM as it was getting light.   The lush agricultural land and scattered woodlands passing my window reminded me that I was now far from Colorado.   I checked Google Maps on my phone and saw that the little blue dot marking our progress was now nearing Gretna in eastern Nebraska.   Downtown Omaha in the early morning light viewed from the Amtrak station.   At 7:00, we made a brief stop in Omaha.   Instead of immediately heading east across the Missouri River and into Iowa, the train headed south 20 miles to Plattsmouth, Nebraska where it finally crossed the Missouri.   South of Omaha, the Zephyr crossed the Platte River just above its confluence with the Missouri.    The logical route for Amtrak across Iowa from Omaha would cross the center of the state, serving Des Moines (the state capital, population 215,000), Iowa City (76,000, home of the University of Iowa), and the Quad Cities (Incl...
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16 September 2025: Should you travel by Amtrak?

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In my last three blog posts, I described my train trips from Denver to Chicago and back last month.   Would I recommend travelling by Amtrak?   I can’t give you a definite yes or no because it depends on several factors. With the exception of the high-speed Acela service between Washington, DC and Boston, I don’t recommend Amtrak if you need to arrive at your destination on-time or only slightly late.   Of course, the same could be said of flying, couldn’t it? I also suggest you avoid Amtrak for overnight trips in coach class.   Unless you are able to sleep in uncomfortable circumstances, you are not going to get a good night’s sleep in an Amtrak coach seat.   I certainly didn’t! But how about a first-class roomette or bedroom accommodation on the train?   Be prepared to pay luxury hotel rates for your room and meals.   But what you get from Amtrak is comfortable but not luxurious.   Personally, I don’t think it's worth the price.   ...
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