I have just returned from beautiful Santa Barbara, one of the many gems in California that is often missed by tourists. It lies right on the ocean, about midstate, and is home to the venerable Earl Warren Showgrounds. There is also a gorgeous city and countryside extending into the Santa Ynez Valley, a horse haven in its own right.

My purpose this trip was to judge a two-day show at Earl Warren. This city has an airport, but it’s frightfully expensive, and I loathe the drive from Southern California, due to all the Los Angeles weekend traffic returning home on Sunday evening. I was in a quandary until speaking to Cathy Simm, a friend, fellow professional and judge who suggested taking an Amtrak train.

I thought that a great idea and drove the five minutes to our station in San Juan Capistrano to purchase a ticket. I hadn’t been on a big train since my commuting days from Stamford, Conn., to New York City, and that was like a den of iniquity