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!
1. An Amtrak Photo Story
Amtrak Union Station, Chicago, IL
2. An Amtrak Photo Story
A view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train
3. An Amtrak Photo Story
The Fakhrid-Deen family get ready to leave Chicago for their mid-west journey.
4. An Amtrak Photo Story
A view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train
5. An Amtrak Photo Story
Grain silos morning in Colorado on the Amtrak California Zephyr
6. An Amtrak Photo Story
Farmland along Amtrak’s California Zephyr route
7. An Amtrak Photo Story
Union Station, Denver Colorado
8. An Amtrak Photo Story
Tina, Jashed and Khair Fakhrid-Deen admire a black historical site in Denver.
9. An Amtrak Photo Story
Hand-in-hand, Tina, Jashed and Khari Fakhrid-Deen board an Amtrak train in
Union Station in Denver, Colorado
10. An Amtrak Photo Story
This train is Midwest bound with the Fakhrid-Deen family in tow.
11. An Amtrak Photo Story
The Fakhrid-Deen’s visit a historical site in Denver during the journey to exploring their roots.
12. An Amtrak Photo Story
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.
13. An Amtrak Photo Story
Black American West Museum, Denver, CO
14. An Amtrak Photo Story
Khari Fakhrid-Deen listens to her parents in an intimate setting as they ride along a stunning view of the great outdoors.
15. An Amtrak Photo Story
At the Amtrak station in Chicago, Jashed Fakhrid-Deen traces a map of their journey to his family.
16. An Amtrak Photo Story
Khari Fakhrid-Deen reads a book in her comfortable Amtrak sleeper car.
17. An Amtrak Photo Story
A view of the Colorado River on the Amtrak California Zephyr
18. An Amtrak Photo Story
A view of the Colorado River from the Amtrak California Zephyr
19. An Amtrak Photo Story
A view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train
20. An Amtrak Photo Story
Desert dusk view seen from the Amtrak California Zephyr
21. An Amtrak Photo Story
A breakfast meal enjoyed by the Fakhrid-Deen family on the train
22. An Amtrak Photo Story
A sunrise view of the Rocky Mountains from Amtrak’s California Zephyr train
