Traveling by train I found to be a rich and rewarding experience. People you ordinarily wouldn't meet you find on the train like the Amish families and a preacher from Kenya. Chicago was more invigorating than I expected.

Elko Train Station

Red Lion's shuttle delivered us to the Elko train station at 11:30 pm. There were only four of us waiting in the wilderenss. A wild animal cried at the moon. It was a hot airless August night and benches were located in the musty smelling shelter. We waited till 3am pacing back and forth. The cement got ragged from our footsteps. A mouse came to stare at us. I almost screamed! The critter kept trying to come close to us.

Jump In

The train arrived. The conductor jumped out of the California Zephyr. No they don't look at your ticket but they show you the finger to go in. Hurry. Once inside they shush you, "No talking." The other passengers turn in the seats while sleeping. I sat down in a nicely cushioned seat that had a lot of leg room. It was soothing to sleep in a train because of the sideways rocking motion.

If I took the bus to Chicago I would be sitting on bare springs and someone jumping on my lap. The bus drivers usually let some passengers block other passengers from sitting. I wouldn't recommend the bus.

The Amish Are Patient People

The train was overbooked so the Amish family had to wait in the dining area. Amish women wore tiny white gauze bonnets, rubber sneakers, store bought backpacks and long dresses that resembled school uniforms and a peaceful smile. The men wore long beards.

Another Amish family sat near me. It was the second night. The Amish son was rebellious and said," No!" The parents discussed things very quietly. The idea was we'll see when we come home. The Amish father tried to sleep. An enthuiastic preacher started proseltyzing. The preacher held a small bible and was speaking inches away from the Amish father's face.

Preacher," Do you accept Jesus as you Savior?" The Amish man patiently rested. The Preacher kept saying the word save. "Save this...Save that." Really who tries to convert an Amish person? Wasn't the preacher from Kenya wasting his time?

Wow the Amish people are patient. They truly show grace under pressure.

The Glass Ceiling

It was daybreak in Colorado. I saw a beautiful steep canyon wall. The rocky mountains were very beautiful sight. The lounge is where you want to be because the ceiling is made of curved glass.

Denver and the Corn Field

The Denver stop showed miles of rusted metal, which made a hard view. My ankles started to swell so I wrapped them in bandages. My feet resembled water ballons in flip flops. I looked out the window. We were somewhere in the middle of a cornfield in Nebraska. Seeing miles of green corn made me nervous and I tried not to think about tornados.

I walked inside the train and some people were watching movies on their laptops.

Long Trip

For trips longer than 24 hours I would recommend sleeper or roomette accommodations. With the roomette you get a bed, food, drink, newspaper , a shower and outlet for your electronics.

Arriving to Chicago

Amtrak was generous and provided us a room at the Windham because we missed our connecting train to Bangor, Maine. That was a nice 1 am surprise. My ankles and I thank Amtrak. Windham was very nice. The soap was herbal. The hotel had a tall fluffy bed with many pillows. The furnishings made it feel like home away from home. Morning came too soon and we almost missed our shuttle back to the train station where we needed to renew our tickets.

Around Chicago

Shuttle ride to the train station showed that Chicago people take a long drive to work. High rise condos had flower baskets on balconies. Some abandoned buildings were waiting to become condos. We arrived at the trainstation in downtown. The trains are underground so the train station is an elegant structure covered with trees and plants. The ticket agent at the train station was very kind and helpful.

Chicago's Free Trolly

We walked around and asked a tall dark man wearing a conductor's uniform about the free trolly.

Man smiled," You want something for free?"

Shame on you was implied. Well I laughed. "Well, I uh, I?"

Yes, you can ride on the trolly for free and it is located across the train station. The seats resemble wood park benches and open air made for breezy pleasant drive. Fresh means you smell everything. One moment its deisel then next second its intensly sweet popcorn, then fuel and then fresh baked bread.

The Bon Pan a highly aromatic bakery seemed to be located in an urban grotto under the metro rails. Their baked Ruben sandwiches are as good as they smell, yummy!

We rode at least three different routes around Chicago on this trolley. Parts of the city were under construction. People rode in water taxis under a series of bridges. The water taxi looked like fun. We rode past the Art museum and around Millenium park. Children enjoyed the Millenium park's water fountains. It was nice to all the trees in the city with skyscrapers in the backround.

We went back to the train station. We had time to eat so we walked a few blocks to the place that made the best bugers I ever had. The meat was like a huge steak then buns were fresh and everything there tasted good. I wished I remembered the name of that place.

Well, I can't wait till I ride the train again.

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