LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ‘All aboard’
For fans, traveling by railway is half the fun
SKATING magazine contributor Joanne Vas-
sallo Jamrosz attends most of U.S. Figure Skating’s marquee events with husband Gregory. A resident of upstate New York, she can usu-
ally be found on the concourse signing the latest book in her Skating Forward series. Joanne emailed me the other day, pitching
a story about skating fans (including herself and Gregory) who use the railways to travel to U.S. Fig- ure Skating’s main events. I thought it was a cool idea, giving readers a
glimpse inside yet another unique group of skat- ing friends. Enjoy!
Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz prepares to board a train in Utica, New York, for the 2016 U.S. Championships in Saint Paul. She and husband Gregory have been taking the train to skating events since 2010.
host of other features,” said Adams, who traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, by train for the 2013 U.S. Championships. Margaret Harboy of Water Mill, New York,
remembers San Jose as her exciting “nationals by rail.”
“Clear across the country, it took three days,”
Harboy said. “It was amazing to see the changes in the countryside, countless mountains and rivers and streams. I especially enjoyed the huge ever- greens touched with glistening snow. It was truly one of the most thrilling experiences of my life.” The Larsons have had two favorite trips: the
By Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz When the conductor of Amtrak’s westbound
Empire Builder called “All aboard,” little did he know that he was welcoming some pretty excited skating fans on their way to the 2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Saint Paul, Minnesota. For these fans, getting there is half the fun,
and many wouldn’t think of traveling any other way than by rail. Liz and Lew Larson of Columbia, Maryland,
fi rst traveled by train to the 2007 U.S. Champion- ships in Spokane, Washington. They enjoyed it so much that they took the train to the 2009 ISU World Championships in Los Angeles and 2012 U.S. Championships in San Jose. “We travel by train to skating events when
the distance is greater than we have the time or energy to drive, usually more than one night on the road,” Liz said.
Liz, who no longer chooses to travel by
plane, admits she’s always loved traveling by train. “I have loved trains all my life, even when I
was still fl ying,” Liz said. “I would routinely take the train from Maryland to Boston to visit my parents and friends. For me it was incredibly relaxing and a great escape.” Photographer Leah Adams lives on the West-
ern Slope of Colorado. She fi nds any time on Am- trak is an adventure. Admittedly a somewhat ner- vous fl ier, Adams says just staying on the ground is a reason to celebrate. “Train-ing is the most relaxing method of
travel because of the wide seats — complete with drop-down tray tables and electrical outlets to set up my laptop — the convenience of bringing ex- tra luggage without fees, an observation car off er- ing scenic views only available from the rails and a
4 MARCH 2016
Empire Builder to Spokane and the Southwest Chief to Worlds in Los Angeles. The Spokane championships took place two weeks after Liz Larson’s retirement. “It was very emotional as I felt I was begin- ning a whole new life and had always wanted to take the train across the U.S.,” Liz said. The Larsons enjoyed everything, including
a cozy sleeper car, food prepared by a chef who only travels that route, wine and cheese par- ties, an observation car, and the thrill of passing through three feet of snow in Whitefi sh, Montana. “The journey provided days without pres-
sure, unlimited and varied beautiful scenery and total relaxation,” Lew said. There is also plenty of skating talk on board.
Many of the steady train travelers have connected as friends, and many fi nd themselves on the same train heading to championship destinations. Friendships are renewed and dinner conversation usually revolves around favorite skaters and the exciting upcoming event. “I would say that the single most import-
ant and meaningful event resulting from all our trips was meeting Margaret,” Liz said. “She is a joy to know and we love getting together at skating events.” With the 2016 World Championships quick-
ly approaching, the group is already planning get-togethers on destination trains and on-site at Boston’s TD Garden. “I enjoy the relaxing movement of the train,
being able to read, getting to see parts of America that I have never seen, and chatting and meet- ing so many interesting people over coff ee and a meal,” Harboy said. “It is especially enjoyable to know that there are other folks who enjoy fi gure skating and the train, too.”
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PHOTO BY GREGORY JAMROSZ
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