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Good morning! Last night I learned three important things: 1) My flight today from Toronto to NYC to give a talk in the Planetarium at AMNH tomorrow was cancelled due to the snow 2) The best alternative Air Canada could offer me was Wednesday morning: too late! 3) But there is a TRAIN 🚂

Downsides of the train include that it is a 13-hour+ journey and that it is already 2.5 hours late just departing. Also, unlike airplanes, passengers can have phone calls and Zoom calls on trains, and many of my neighbors are currently doing so. But it is running! And it’s reasonably comfy.

On my way! You’ll just have to imagine a proud dramatic train whistle sounding here. (Thx @peacewind.aero for video.) #KatieTrainDay

The train people felt bad about the delay and gave us all free hot drinks. #KatieTrainDay

Just crossed to the U.S. at the Niagara Falls train border. Off train for passport checks. Two women who’d been sitting across from me were apparently planning to get off at the CANADA-side Niagara station & missed the announcement. But they have crossed over now; fate unclear. #KatieTrainDay

Back on the train and moving again! By using the clever technique of walking a little farther from the door and passing through the vestibule between cars I have ended up with an entire train car to myself! It is wonderfully quiet and peaceful. Time for a snack and some laptop work. #KatieTrainDay

Two unfortunate developments: other passengers have discovered my train car, and we are currently stopped due to “some mechanical issues.” They are going to troubleshoot. Meanwhile, apparently we get free water and snack packs in the cafe car. #KatieTrainDay

We are on the move again! 🚂 Just after we started, Amtrak guy walked through car talking to other employee saying, in an exasperated tone, "He said it's probably gonna happen again. Every time, we just have to keep on resetting it." Meanwhile, scenery is… very white. #KatieTrainDay

Somewhere between Rochester & Syracuse. Sky has cleared and is now wonderfully blue and pink, but as we travel the snow kicked up by the front of the train still lends the view some vague Snowpiercer vibes. My car is now half full but everyone is quiet. We’re all in this together. #KatieTrainDay

Please wave at Schenectady as you go by. I'll wave back!

I desperately need you to know that "Sneachta" (pronounced Schneaahkta" ) is the Irish for "Snow". 🤣🤣🤣

This is s wonderful coincidence! Land stolen from the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and others. The name is a corruption of Mohawk 'skahnéhtati' -- 'The Place Beyond the Pines.' (hence the movie)

New to me!

So... In 1847 The Choctaw Nation, only recently after the Trail of Tears themselves heard of the Irish Famine and sent 170 USD (a kings ransom in those days) to the Irish people in aid. To say that lived in our oral tradition is an understatement. I remember my grandfather telling me about it.

You can read more here but it has severly more twists that just get better. www.choctawnation.com/about/histor...