Read on for a Give Away!
I’m traveling today and as usual I have the middle seat on the plane. Because I do not claim both armrests, I spend most of the flight feeling like my elbows have been glued to my ribs. It’s not particularly comfortable, but after researching stage coach travel, I’ve decided that I’m in no position to complain.
Here are 10 facts about travel in a Concord Stage Coach, the most common coach used in the west during the late 1800s:
1. The interior of a stage coach was very small, measuring about 4 feet wide, with a ceiling height of about 4 ½ feet. Each passenger had about 15 inches of leg room.
2. A stage coach held up to nine passengers but their knees and legs had to be entwined between one another.
3. Additional passengers could ride on the roof with the luggage. Some luggage was stored in the boot at the back of the stage coach.
4. The interior had three benches. The center bench had no backrest and the people riding there had leather straps to hold for support.
5. The passengers were protected from the elements by leather curtains, that may or may not do their job.
6. The seats were padded but could still be very hard.
7. The average pace of a stage coach was 5 miles per hour. An average person can walk 3-4 miles an hour.
8. A stage coach could travel up to 70 miles a day, depending on road conditions and terrain.
9. If a stage had to go up a steep hill, the passengers might have to walk.
10. If the stage got stuck, the passengers would push and help dig it out.
Doesn’t that put the middle seat into perspective?
To qualify for the giveaway, a $10 Amazon gift card, tell me your favorite way to travel and one reason it can be inconvenient.
Please Note: I may not be able to answer comments today due to travel…but at least I’m not pushing a stage coach up a hill. 🙂 Winner announced on Saturday.
Jeannie Watt raises cattle in Montana and loves all things western. When she's not writing, Jeannie enjoys sewing, making mosaic mirrors, riding her horses and buying hay. Lots and lots of hay.
We rode on a stage coach at Knott’s Berry Farm 20+ years ago, and it was fine for a few minutes, but I definitely wouldn’t want to travel far in one.
I take the window in a plane and let the middle person have the armrest. I prefer the front seat of my minivan for road trips.
I would like to try a stage coach ride, Denise, but like you, I wouldn’t want to make a long journey that way. Yay for giving the middle seat person the armrest!
I haven’t traveled by train since a 4th or 5th grade field trip with Camp Fire Girls. That would be my choice for a journey long enough to require overnight accommodations. For shorter travel I’m fine with our Volvo station wagon as long as pit stops are included (some guys seem like camels – they have water holding capacities the rest of us don’t).
Oh my goodness, I hear you about the camel guys, Mary! How do they do that? I also enjoy train travel,
My favorite way to travel is trains. It can be a bit inconvenient if a part of the railroad is being repaired and you have to hop from the train to a bus -or vice versa.
The Amtrak train went by my classroom window everyday for the 26 years I taught at that school. I can’t tell you how many times I wished I was on that train, lol.
I love to travel by car most of the time because there’s so much to see. I love taking my grandchildren on road trips to find out-of-the-way places that most folks don’t see.
My kids’ grandparents did that and they so enjoyed it. So many adventures!
The only traveling I have done is by car. The inconvenience – feeling sick around mountain roads.
That can be an issue for sure, Linda. But the scenery is pretty.
I get very Car Sick riding backwards – found out the hard way in our station wagon in the mid 60’s!
We had the backwards station wagon seat, too! After the novelty wore off, my brother and I never rode in it. I wonder if it made us sick, too. I don’t remember.
My favorite way to travel is by car. It can be inconvenient when you become stuck in traffic jams on the highway.
Oh, yes. And why does that happen when you need to be somewhere?
Jeannie, fun fact, I’m FROM Concord, New Hampshire, where the coaches originated. We use it on all kinds of logos etc. Thanks for a fun post.
That is so cool, Kathy! And what a neat way to commemorate the history. Those coaches were super important to the development of the west.
Amtrak but you can be in a small town or city for up to 8 hours until the next train arrives and takes you in the direction you are going.
This is true. I lived on an Amtrak line and remember the delays and such.
This is really fascinating stuff, Jeannie. I’ve never done this but I’m really curious to take a trip by train. So many of my friends have done it, including my sister, who went from Chicago to San Francisco on a train. She said it was an interesting experience but the cabin they had was not particularly comfortable because it was tiny. Still…it sounds interesting and different.
Nan!
Plan a train trip today! I started taking them about 20 years ago and have been on almost every Amtrak route multiple times and it’s a lovely way to travel. I get a roomette and unfortunately it’s gotten expensive but I manage by using a credit card that earns Amtrak points to pay for my trips that way. I fell in love with Montana the first time I took that route so now I read every book that has the word Montana in the title. 🙂
You’re inspiring me, Rachel! I, too, will look into another trip.
Then your sister went through Winnemucca Nevada and quite possibly passed by my classroom window while I was teaching. My room was literally 25 yards from the tracks. I haven’t done a lot of train travel, but I did enjoy it when I did.
I was on a plane for one trip. The rest of my traveling has been by car. My discomfort comes from my having to ride in the front as I have motion sickness and have to see where I’m going. It also helps for the driver to drive at a steady speed on a smooth rode.
So sorry about the motion sickness, Karijean. That’s so hard.
I used to like to fly, but not so much anymore, as there are too many situations to fear it with malfunctions on the plane or in the tower. I also love to ride a horse, although it has been ages. I never planned to use it as a method of getting from point A to point B, however. My most reliable and possibly most comfortable method is my own vehicle or SUV. It is very comfortable and I am able to make it more so by adjusting the temp and/or the seat positioning. Hence, I am in control for the most part.
Cars are so comfortable now! Even our truck has all the bells and whistles, so yes, travel by car or SUV is great.
I loved this information, Jeannie! Super fun tie-in to your own traveling!
Because my husband prefers the window seat on planes, I get stuck in the middle seat, which I don’t enjoy. I try very hard not to touch the person next to me in the aisle seat, and I mostly don’t want to have to make conversation with a chatty stranger. Which is why I suspect my husband wants the window seat! 🙂
We took a train ride into the Canadian Rockies, which was heavenly. The staff took such good care of us, and we could just sit back and enjoy the ride and scenery.
Safe travels, my friend!
Greetings fellow middle seat traveler! Pam, I have the middle seat for the exact same reason! I’ve been eyeing that Canadian Rockies trip, and your comment is making me think it needs to happen!
Thanks for your post today. Best of luck on your travels. I went to Knox Berry Farm when I was younger and we got to ride a stage coach. But because I was little and it didn’t go far, it was so fun. Went right into my reading of westerns. Sooo fun. LOL. Now I prefer to travel by car. I love to see the country, and stop when we want to for meals and for the night. We enjoy experiencing so much around us and what God has done.
My husband loves car travel for the same reason. He has control, he can stop where he wants, etc. There’s a lot to be said for it. I must say I’m envious of your stage coach ride!
We travel by car. I enjoy the chance to look at the scenery and see the small towns we may drive through. It is easy to stop and sight see new things. There are times that long distance travel becomes tiresome and traffic can become a nightmare when it’s congested or stopped because of an emergency.
Danielle, you make great points about car travel. It may take longer in some cases, but it’s so much more personal.
I’ve only ever traveled by car – there have been a couple times when in traffic (one of the downsides to driving) that we’ve gotten off the interstate and found a charming old downtown. We usually find somewhere to eat, then continue on our trip . 🙂
I love charming downtowns, Sabrina. Isn’t it funny how some places look so, well, new, and then you find the historic area and perspective changes. 🙂
Having only traveled by car, I would say that’s my favorite. 🙂 The downside is traffic jams and when you’re driving at night when nothing is open if you need to stop.
Those are two major inconveniences, but car travel has a lot of advantages. I do love to watch the scenery go by.
My destination determines the mode of travel. Traveling international will be via plane – always an aisle seat in the rear of the aircraft. The choice of seats and location comes from years as a flight attendant along with the safety factor. For domestic travel I opt for a pickup truck. One of the heavy-duty trucks if I’m hauling a trailer. If the trip is for pleasure, I take the half ton crew cab equipped like a high-end SUV.
Ah, another truck gal! For years that was our only means of transportation. I thought it was normal to drive a 3/4 ton manual transmission through city traffic, lol. That’s very interesting about the safe area of the plane!
I like a car. You can be more spontaneous and stop at places along the way.
I agree, Debra. That’s the beauty of car travel!
Since we have a very comfortable car for road trips that is my favorite method. As long as there are no winding roads and mountains I am ok, otherwise I am sick.
Sorry to hear about winding road sickness, but I totally understand it, Sharon. Car trips are comfortable because you can have all your stuff at hand.
I prefer to travel by car and see the sights along the way. Granted, it takes more vacation days to do that.
True about the vacation days, but you have so much more control of your route and the ability to be spontaneous.
I enjoy vacation traveling on a cruise ship. It is a relaxed, easy, convenient way to travel with great food and good entertainment available. I’m even a good sailor and have never gotten seasick. I’ve been on 15 cruises, and I love discovering what the ports and excursions have to offer.
Oh how cool! I hadn’t thought of a cruise ship. What a great way to travel and be taken care of!
I like to travel by car. I have traveled by bus but there are too many stops.
I agree about buses, LInda. I took two trips with 5 hour layovers. The scenery was fun, but not the time in the stations waiting. I should have rented a car.
favorite travel?? I like to stay home. When necessary…I suppose planes just because it’s fast.
I don’t choose to travel much but when my husband wants to go…I go along in whatever mode he prefers because it’s all … just me saying … can I take my recliner?
Nesting at home is delicious, Mary! I’m with you.
For international trips which are rare we fly which is not enjoyable due to the crush of others. Sitting beside someone who is large and hogs the seat is extremely unfair and hard to take.
I hear you, Anne. Flying used to be more fun, but now it’s more of an endurance contest.
My favorite way to travel is by car. One way it could be an inconvenience is breakdowns.
Oh yes, breakdowns. I always hope for the best in that regard!
For long trips, I like to fly. For shorter trips, i use my car. Both have their limits like cost of gas for your car and/or sitting in a plane with a loud person sitting next to you or a crying baby.
Both good methods for the journeys described. The cost of gas can definitely slow one down.
At least people were smaller in stature as a general rule.. I didn’t realize there were middle benches.
Neither did I, Kate! I was amazed that they had to sit with no backrest hanging onto a strap. I think my arm would have gone numb!
I prefer traveling by car as I do not like being on a plane. I like to be in control. Plus I take my dog with me on trips so it is better by car.
I think dogs much prefer cars to planes. 🙂 You’re so right about control. I think that’s the best thing about car travel.
I fly a great deal and have to deal with people who take advantage of someone small. Seating beside anyone brings me a huge level of discomfort but someone big is extreme.
I totally understand, Ruth. Being squeezed together is uncomfortable on several levels.
Now imagine travelling in one of those things wearing a corset so tight you had difficulty breathing and a bustle so large you couldn’t sit back onto the narrow seat in the first place. Heavy underskirts, long sleeves, gloves, tightly buttoned shoes and hat all had to be worn when in public. No air conditioning unless you considered the dusty air raised by the horses’ hooves. Add in other passengers who had an allergy to bathing, no sense of dental hygiene or deodorant and you have the recipe for a wonderful trip. Not for me. I’d ride a donkey first.
Well put, Susan. I can’t begin to imagine that. Donkey travel would be a treat when faced with those conditions!
I like taking Amtrak and the inconvenience there is the limited routes. I use it for sightseeing more than transportation.
The limited routes are a problem for sure They are going to expand the passenger train route in Montana and I’m so excited.
I prefer traveling by car nowadays. I like being able to go at my own pace and make stops when I need or want to stop. The only downside is the time it takes and how often there is road construction going on somewhere.
Argh–road construction! It is really nice, though, to set your own pace and stop when you want.
My husband and I love road trips. We drive a hybrid, so gas costs are less. One of the most inconvenient things about a road trip is construction! It can cause long delays and sometimes take you miles out of your way. Not to .mention long traffic jams.
How cool that you drive a hybrid! Construction can be such a pain, especially in the summer–you know, during travel season. 🙂
I prefer not to travel anymore. lol I’m 78 years old and used to travel by plane, train, boat or auto. Each has its downside. If I had my choice now, I guess I would choose car. The downside to it is so much traffic on each side of you it makes me a nervous wreck.
Thanks for all the information about stage coaches. Can only imagine how uncomfortable that was, especially having to sit on the middle seat with no back support.
I’ve been giving that middle seat a lot of thought since I read about it, and I would hate to sit with my knees interlocked with another passenger an hanging onto a strap. People were tough back then.
Haven’t done much traveling, normally I just run errands and use my own car, which is a lot more comfortable than a stage coach, lol, only issues is my forgetting to put gas and then having it run out, which has happened to me more than once.
Lol about the gas, Laura. I have a habit of forgetting to look at the gage myself! That’s a definite downside of car travel.
plane, have to wait at airport
Waiting for hours sometimes. Those delays can be tedious indeed!
I love to tracel by truck, plane and motorcycle. Truck issues are traffic and breaking down. Plane are delays and heaven forbid crashing from the sky. I have traveled in all 3 steats on the plane. Now traveling on a motorcycle issues are weather and pretty much sitting in the same position for too long. We stop often. lol Rain hurts when it hits you going 70 mph!!!!
Motorcycle travel sounds exciting. I never thought about what rain feels like. Wow!
I mostly travel by car… downside the time if you are travelling far.
Boy howdy, having lived for so long in Nevada I agree with the long travel times being a pain.
I prefer traveling by car because it gives me more freedom to do what I want to. The inconvenient part of car travel is that I’m not very patient and it takes longer. But since the closest major airport is an hour and a half away, for most of our trips it makes more sense to drive.
I can see where driving definitely makes sense when you have to travel so far to an airport. Also, having that control is very nice/
I like traveling in a car, but it still gets a bit uncomfortable
Agreed, Bridgette. It’s good to take frequent stops to move around.
I enjoy driving in my van. With being in a wheelchair, I get tired quickly. I used to love to go on trips. We have not been able to do so for a while. I have a lot of wonderful memories. I also travel while reading books. It is a great way to go without leaving my home. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
What great memories, Debra! Reading is the definitely the best way to leave home without leaving home!
I only travel by car. Although long trips is a little hard on me.
They’re getting harder for me, too. I don’t miss 11-12 hour travel days.
I love traveling by cruise ship but of course it can be long to get to different destinations. Also, it would be hard to be stuck in the middle of the ocean if the ship broke down.
Oh my goodness, yes, that would a pain, but I think ship travel sounds like a lot of fun.
I physically can’t travel anymore. I have only been on a plane and gone by road trip. I would pick the van or better yet RV as the best way to travel with the only down side being bumpy roads.
I’m sorry to hear that you can’t travel anymore, Joannie. My mom is in the same boat. I do think RV travel would be a lot of fun!
We travel by car these days…and I don’t get stuck in front of a seat kicker on planes anymore..I traveled by train as a youngster with an older sister to visit a relative and have been on a cruise ship. We did enjoy our time on a “land cruise” in Alaska where we were bussed in a 15 passenger van around the tate staying in tour company cabins for 10 days..Ended in Denali NP with train travel included back to Anchorage. The food was faboulous!! It was 30 years ago and the company is still in business so I’ll give a shout out to Alaskan Wildlands! Plenty of option for seeing the state, small, large, fishing, etc.
Your Alaska trip sounds wonderful, Kate. I’m going to look into Alaska Wildlands.
We travel by car, but traffic jams make it inconvenient.
Gridlock is a real annoyance. I love that there are apps now that can help you avoid it,
Favorite way to travel I our 25foot RV. Has bed and bathroom! occasionally we do experience difficulty finding a parking space.
That sounds lovely, Anita! I’ll admit to being envious! 🙂