December 2025
by Ashley Sedlacek
My husband and I are so grateful to Team Gleason for sending us on such a wonderful adventure!
I have always wanted to take an extended train trip, especially one “out west,“ but for a number of reasons we never were able to make it happen.
After my ALS diagnosis, one of the things Team Gleason offered was the chance to do something I thought we would never be able to do.
We began our journey by flying to Denver from our hometown of New Orleans where we boarded an Amtrak train headed to Glenwood Springs, CO.
The scenery was unlike anything I had ever seen, and we were able to sit back and enjoy it all!
After two days in Glenwood Springs, one more than originally planned because of a train cancellation, we hopped on our next leg ~ to San Francisco.
This was our first overnight experience on the train and what an experience it was!
The accessible room was spacious as train standards go and offered an opportunity to see our country in a unique way.
All of our meals were served to us in our room as we took in the scenery and spent time with each other.
San Francisco was so exciting: from the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, the crazy hills, the Pacific Ocean, and the Golden Gate Bridge there was so much to see.
We boarded another Amtrak and headed to Portland, OR. Another overnight on the train, more good meals, more time together, and more beautiful scenery!
We then flew back home to New Orleans, exhausted but refreshed.
This was such a unique experience; one that we will remember forever. Thank you, Team Gleason, for serving our ALS community so well. We are forever grateful for your work.
Adventure Details:
Flights: American Airlines
Amtrak: California Zephyr, Coast Starlight
Hotels:
- Hilton Garden Inn Denver-Union Station
- Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs
- Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge
- Hampton Inn & Suites Portland/Pearl District
