I think the best was Houston to LA and sitting in the observation car across AZ. But also going through the Rockies, across Alabama, and side trip to Grand Canyon on an Amtrak bus.

Bear in mind this was 1990. No mobile phone, no laptop. Just rucksack, books, an AT&T calling card for when I saw a pay phone to call home, 1-800-USA-RAIL for reservations, and a copy of Let's Go.

I had one of these: http://www.amtrak.com/take-the-trains-across-america-with-us...