Hi, I'm Eric.

I’m an avid world traveler, photographer, software developer, and digital storyteller.

I help implement the Content Authenticity Initiative at Adobe.

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East Coast Part 2: Acela Train to New York

13 May 2024 • 361 km / 224 mi (map)

Today I took the Acela train from Washington to New York City.

The trip began in Washington’s beautifully-restored Union Station.

The white Beaux-Arts facade of Washington’s Union Station with its arched entrances and rows of statues, fronted by a green lawn, brick plaza, and the Columbus Fountain with marble figures on the right. Three American flags fly from tall flagpoles against a clear blue sky.
Union Station with flags in front of it on a clear day. · Union Station, Washington, District of Columbia
The grand vaulted ceiling of Union Station in Washington, D.C., featuring a sweeping coffered arch trimmed in gold leaf, with a deeply recessed barrel vault of skylight panels and a row of classical Roman legionary statues standing along the cornice below.
An intricate arched ceiling at Union Station. · Union Station, Washington, District of Columbia
The vaulted, coffered ceiling of Union Station in Washington, D.C., featuring rows of octagonal recesses gilded in gold against a pale stone surface. Below, large arched windows with grid-patterned glazing glow blue, and classical carved statues stand in front of one of the arches.
An intricate arched ceiling at Union Station. · Union Station, Washington, District of Columbia
A long arcade of white stone arches with a coffered, circular-patterned barrel-vaulted ceiling at Union Station in Washington, D.C., lined with black globe lanterns mounted on the columns. A lone person walks down the corridor in the distance, with two seated travelers and luggage to the right.
A white stone archway with lights and a person walking through. · Union Station, Washington, District of Columbia
Union Station, Washington, District of Columbia

Acela claims a top speed of 241 km/h / 150mph and my track log suggests we got very close to that a few times. Despite the speed, I did manage to get a few nice views of the countryside from my window seat.

Gunpowder River Crossing, Chase, Maryland
Susquehanna River Crossing, Havre de Grace, Maryland
A field of tall golden reeds stretches across the foreground, with green trees standing along the horizon under a bright blue sky scattered with puffy white clouds. Power lines cut diagonally across the upper portion of the frame, suggesting the photo was taken from a moving vehicle.
Wilmington, Delaware
A narrow channel of muddy brown water flanked by rocky, rip-rap shorelines and lush green trees and shrubs opens out into a broad expanse of open water under a blue sky scattered with puffy white clouds. A thin overhead wire crosses the upper part of the frame.
Wilmington, Delaware
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A wide expanse of tidal marshland with golden reeds and a winding channel of water in the foreground, under a broad sky filled with gray and white clouds. On the distant horizon, city skylines, industrial structures, lift bridges, and power transmission towers are silhouetted across the water.
New York City skyline as seen from the train over a grassy marsh. · Kearny, New Jersey
Washington, District of Columbia, to New York, New York · 361 km / 224 mi
(Mouse over or tap on the markers to see the photos there. Use the button to adjust the map’s position and zoom.)

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