The Amtrak train arrived on schedule at 6 a.m. or so, as I'm sitting in the Boston train station still attaching - as it turned out unnecessary - locks to my luggage. Hustling to the train dragging two large suitcases was a feat. One kept twisting and turning, refusing to stay on its wheels. As if it didn't want me to leave. I hugged my daughter and blew kisses to the baby. Suddenly, I'm welling up with tears.

I'd told the entire family that I was traveling for the next two months at least. The adventures I'd imagined and the time by myself didn't factor in the reality that I'd miss them terribly. Would the baby forget me in two months? How would they get along without me? Would my absense leave a hole during events?

My daughter texts me a few minutes later asking me not to leave. Too late as the train rolls out of South Station. We're both crying and texting as the wheels put more distance between us. It's my first time away from home, and the first time she'll be without me. The older daughter seems fine with my departure. She understands it's an adventure, and professes a bit of …show more content…
There's no room for tears. Tears aren't part of the adventure.

The train hits more stations on its way out of Massachusetts towards Virginia. Most of the people boarding the train look like commuters on their way to work.

To keep my mind occupied, so I don't burst into tears, I start reading a book on my tablet. The plan for this long trip from Massachusetts to Virginia - a total of 12 hours, by the way - is to keep myself as busy as possible. Writing, watching Hulu or Netflix and reading. That should keep me from growing insane with boredom, which is a real problem for me.

Except when I try to use the Wi-Fi on the train, it tells me that streaming isn't possible. That's a serious bummer. That leaves writing and reading.

By hour six, I'm really tired of sitting and reading. I never get the chance to sit and read. I thought it would be