I do load it on myself, don't I.

I was in Instant Message chat with a Newfoundland pal. She and I want to visit Los Angeles, primarily Hollywood, next year. I want to meet her: I've been writing to her for over twelve years. I also want to eat at Musso and Frank, and to try out for "Jeopardy!", and to see Catalina. Even my son, not yet five, says he wants to go to Hollywood.

I've got a lot of living to do! I haven't been to CA since 1996, and I want to go soon before gas gets prohibitively expensive. It's $1829.00 for a family bedroom round trip by Amtrak, + $300 food. 3300 miles * $4.19/gallon @ 25 miles per gallon= $553.08 + $300 food + 650 hotel + $410 car rental = $1903.08, and that doesn't include the stay and food and admissions in Hollywood. $74 fewer dollars to ride the train.