Discovering your roots on a long ride on the great American outdoors in the company of family, sounds like a great way to experience an Amtrak sleeper car for the first time. Tina, Jashed and Khari Fakhrid-Deen took a voyage full of bonding from Chicago to Denver and made stops at a few landmarks along the way to learn more about black heritage in the Midwest.
The Fakhrid-Deens’ visits to places such as The Great American West Museum and other historical sites provided them with exposure to new information and the impacts that Black people have had on the region.
We’ve provided some photos from their exciting family excursion. Enjoy!
An Amtrak Photo Story: A Black Family’s Excursion Through The Midwest was originally published on newsone.com
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Amtrak Union Station, Chicago, IL
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A view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train
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The Fakhrid-Deen family get ready to leave Chicago for their mid-west journey.
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A view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train
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Grain silos morning in Colorado on the Amtrak California Zephyr
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Farmland along Amtrak’s California Zephyr route
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Union Station, Denver Colorado
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Tina, Jashed and Khair Fakhrid-Deen admire a black historical site in Denver.
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Hand-in-hand, Tina, Jashed and Khari Fakhrid-Deen board an Amtrak train in
Union Station in Denver, Colorado
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This train is Midwest bound with the Fakhrid-Deen family in tow.
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The Fakhrid-Deen’s visit a historical site in Denver during the journey to exploring their roots.
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Khari Fakhrid-Deen looks at photos of black cowboys like Nat Love and Bill Pickett, while learning about the influence of Black people in the Midwest at The Black American West Museum.
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Black American West Museum, Denver, CO
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Khari Fakhrid-Deen listens to her parents in an intimate setting as they ride along a stunning view of the great outdoors.
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At the Amtrak station in Chicago, Jashed Fakhrid-Deen traces a map of their journey to his family.
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Khari Fakhrid-Deen reads a book in her comfortable Amtrak sleeper car.
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A view of the Colorado River on the Amtrak California Zephyr
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A view of the Colorado River from the Amtrak California Zephyr
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A view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train
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Desert dusk view seen from the Amtrak California Zephyr
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A breakfast meal enjoyed by the Fakhrid-Deen family on the train
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A sunrise view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train