My mistake.....Sedalia. Sedalia is very close to her desired destination so the drive from there will be brief.

Not sure where the train stops but at a minimum it would stop at Columbia.

Thats approx 70 miles by road, not a bad drive and most of it interstate.

If you are having problems getting a vehicle (Columbia is a college town but not awful big), then get off at Kansas City and drive from there. Thats approx 90 miles, so not that much further.

Amtrak has a station in Sedalia. Sedalia is very close to where mom will end up. My other sister works at the facility and they have a van that they use to transport the other residents. It really works out well.
My oldest sister has seen to mom for the last ten years and has done all she can. Mom is very happy to be going back to Mo. and is looking forward to being around the the rest of the family. My sister will be moving back eventually also leaving little ole me all alone in the big city, but I've got my plans to move north eventually.
Life goes on..................

Did you grow up there? Any chance you went to SMS?

No I didn't grow up anywhere near there. My dad was Army so we traveled a lot. When he retired they bought a little place on the Lake of the Ozarks. Dad passed away in the late 70's and mom stayed 'till around 2000. She came west when her health started to fail and my oldest sister took on the role of care provider. I have a sister that still lives in the area.

Yes the train does stop right in Sedalia. I was just there last week on business. Is exactly 54 miles from my house! If something comes up and you need anything that I can help with, just let me know. Do you really want her traveling here in the summer? We are in our typical Missouri summer right now. low 90's for the temperature and humidity over 60%. It can drop you in your tracks if you are not used to it.

We don't have the luxury of being able to pick the season when she travels. It's gotta be soon as in tomorrow if possible.

There is a reason why I left the mid-west and you hit the nail on the head! Not to forget ice rain in the winters, tornado's as well...

It sure is beautiful back there but...

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I didn't see mom get off!! Must be on her way to Chicago.
Kurt, Do you work for the R/R or something? Just wondering how you came up with Amtrak in Sedalia so fast.

Out of curiosity I checked Amtrak from socal to stl...you can get a sleeper with 2 beds, lounge chair and private bath for about $1500 for three people. ...perhaps a little less with senior discount. Takes 48 hours with only one change in KC. Has wheelchair access. That may be the way to go.

Either that or rent a mini-van...but that would take longer and you'd be worn out.

Kevin,

Kurt is a Lawyer and has been in that neck of the woods for a while, so knows the area.

Ah yes, I recall now. Thanks

PM sent

Hey Kevin,

How did the trip go? Hope all is well now and you are back home...

Joe

Not back as in "haven't left yet". Nothing going as planned. We still intend to load of the mini van and my sister and I will drive back. We're expecting to leave around the 10th of this month.
Thanks for asking.

Let us know if we can help.

After researching all the suggestions and a few ideas of our own it looks like the best way to get mom back to Missouri will be to load the family van and drive. So tonight we loaded everything that we could and expect to hit the road by noon tomorrow.
We have no idea how well she will travel so there is no telling how long it will take but it will likely be her last road trip so we're in no hurry.
Thank You for all of your suggestions and good will.

Safe travels. Hope Murphy avoids the trip.

Second Todd's comments. At least in this scenario you can stop or keep going depending on how she is doing.

As well if she sees something she likes you can stop for a day or two and enjoy the journey, something that on a train or plane aint gonna happen.

Pls keep us updated on your progress. If we can help, pls let us know.

Joe