My older daughter is a junior in high school, and in a non-COVID world, that would mean that we’d spent time in the fall and spring visiting colleges. Instead, we’ve talked to a few admissions folks online, which is not really useful. But colleges are FINALLY starting to open up, so we’re planning a July trip to three universities: Villanova, Georgetown, and Boston College.
Those three are not very close to each other, but Ellie has a week off from her summer nanny job, and my work is flexible, so we’re going to make it happen. We’re flying to Philadelphia, spending the night, and touring Villanova the next morning. That afternoon we’ll take a train to D.C., spend the night, and tour Georgetown. After Georgetown we’ll take the overnight train to Boston and tour Boston College. Finally, we’re heading to Cape Cod to visit our friends the Kissas, who we met on our 2019 Disney Cruise to Alaska. We’ll spend a couple nights with them and then fly home out of Boston Logan.
Georgetown is still not doing tours, but I’m hopeful that they’ll open them up in the coming weeks, before we get there. Even if they don’t, we can walk around campus and get a feel for things. Summer college campuses feel different than campuses during the academic year, but being there in person is infinitely better than watching a YouTube video produced by the admissions staff. We have reserved tours of Villanova and BC, so no matter what the trip will be worth it.
Not to be left at home unnecessarily, Andrew and Madeline have decided they’re going to visit Cedar Point while we’re gone. Those two are roller coaster junkies!
I think the thing I’m most excited about with our trip, other than getting to spend time with Ellie, is that I booked a sleeper car for the overnight train. At first blush it was expensive, but I realized it’s replacing both a train or plane ride and a hotel. So it’s not unreasonable, and I booked it! I’ve traveled by train before, both in the U.S. and Europe, but never in a sleep car — or roomette, as Amtrak calls it. Maybe it will be good practice for Ellie before moving into a college dorm with another person in a small space.
It feels so good to be planning travel again!
[Post photo credit to Amtrak]