My eyes continue to improve. I was able to read a little bit last night, which was a welcome change. I still am using the eye patch when I do computer work, though, because the focal length is wrong and the amount of time I have to concentrate on keeping my eye focused is stressful.
Aside from the extra expense of the rental car, I do like this rail-auto combination. The portion of the drive out of the Bay Area is the most stressful, and being able to sit back on the train is very nice.
I read last night why the train ride has been so smooth. Although the tracks over which the Capitol operates only need to be maintained to FRA Class 4 (79 MPH) standards, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board has been paying Union Pacific the extra money to keep the tracks maintained to Class 5 (90 MPH) standards. While the trains aren't allowed to operate faster than 79 MPH because they'd need cab signals or automatic train stop, the extra maintenance makes for a smoother ride for the passengers.