Summer Vacation after Graduation

While celebrating our youngest grandson's 16th birthday yesterday, I got a chance to also chat with him and a couple other grandsons. Talking to Adam, who is away attending Florida Technical College, we somehow got on the subject of MY youth. While he knows I have traveled widely for both Work and Pleasure around the Globe, the subject of my younger travels arose and I talked about my 1964 trip to Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and the NYC World's Fair! I don't think he believe much of my story so here is a chapter from my Autobiography and a couple pics.

From My Autobiography:

My friend Jim’s brother Kevin was a year behind us in HS. Kevin was a huge ‘train buff’ and knew all things about rail travel/transport. He was obsessed with it; most probably because his father had been a VP for the Pennsylvania Rail Road. The family received lifetime travel benefits as part of his retirement and death benefit plan.

Well Kevin came up with this hairbrained scheme to go to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. He had it ALL planned out for the three of us, Jim, me and him to take the train from Terre Haute to New York City and to go to the World’s Fair. Holy crap, I had never been anywhere, but NYC? It was over 800 miles just to NYC and I have never even been on a train!

When I said he had it all planned out, he did; almost to the hour. He was a true expert on the rails and even found a little-known rule of travel I’ll get into in a moment. Well, the cost by rail from Terre Haute to NYC was not that bad; I can’t remember what I paid for a round trip ticket. Jim and Kevin would travel on their ‘First Class’ lifetime pass in a Pullman, me in coach.

Well, the day to depart came and we were set to go. Kevin said to ‘pack light’ so I did. I think I took a large duffle bag. (For some unknown reason I must have packed a suit and tie since I found a picture of Jim and I on the National Capital Steps in Washington D.C. all dressed up.) And we were OFF.

It was a thrill. Of course, Kevin and Jim were train traveling veterans but to me, it was all a new experience. We left the train station heading East. I spend much of the time just staring out the window; the seats were very comfortable as I recall. Jim and Kevin got settled in their sleeper Pullman and I got a chance to see it and use their ‘facilities’. The coach bathroom was fine but the Pullman was better. That first night I just slept in my seat although Jim and Kevin said I could nap in their bed. Pullman car cabins were two bunkers. That was fine as I wanted to see as much as I could and snap a few pictures.

We ate dinner in the ‘Dining Car’ but I don’t remember much of that first night. The next morning, I shaved and showered in Jim’s Pullman cabin, that was really convenient. The most memorable event was traveling Horseshoe Curve. Located just outside of Altoona in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. This rail curve is an engineering marvel that was built in 1854 to connect the East Coast to the rail systems heading West. It is a totally half loop and you can see the engine across from the caboose!

Anyway, Eastward bound we were. Kevin had it all planned out and I trusted him; what else could I do? Anyway, his plan was to not only see the World’s Fair but also visit Washington D.C.; not exactly on the way. He had found a little-known travel rule that allowed for ‘side trips’ without charge; so, as he successfully argued with the Conductor, I could travel down to D.C. free of charge and then continue on the NYC. Of course, he and Jim had their passes. He won the argument to the displeasure of the Conductor. Kevin had come prepared!

So, to Philadelphia we went and changed trains to go down to D.C. Again, it is all a fog so many decades ago but I remember the main events. Down to Washington we traveled and even visited Frank McCarthy, Jim & Kevin’s brother who lived there. We took a bit of time to visit some main sites but I don’t really remember much. Did we stay in a hotel, with Frank or what, I just don’t remember? I asked Jim and Kevin but they don’t recall either.

Well, it was on to NYC and the 1964 World’s Fair. It was something I will never forget. We really didn’t get to the city proper as I recall, but only out to the Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. We got there early so to see the 140 pavilions, for 80 nations, 24 US states, and over 45 corporations exhibits or attractions. There are two that I can never forget.

The first was Michelangelo’s Pieta at the Vatican Pavilion. It cannot be described in words; the awesome beauty is just beyond description. You stood on a moving beltway as it passed by this amazing sculpture. It was well lit in a blue surround, highlighting the marvelous stone carving. Truly amazing to see.

The second was the James Bond Aston Martin DB5 car featured in Goldfinger with Sean Connery. What a thrill it was to see and get close but not too close to that amazing car.

Jim is on my left in both pics!