We awoke to darkness in the suburbs and had our hotel breakfast, I must admit I do like hotel waffles. We packed our bags and prepared day bags for the day. We filled up the car and made our way back to the airport rental car return. Car returned and made our way to the CTA to take the train to Union Station. Had a nice ride in and chatted with some folks about travel and living out west. They were from New Mexico and Arizona currently living in Chicago area.
We got off the train and made our way to Union Station. As we are on a sleeper car we have access to the Metropolitan Lounge. We learned we have access to this lounge all day and they will store you luggage. Pretty nice lounge with soft drinks, coffee, and snacks. There are TV’s and WIFI. A nice out of the way place. We went and explored Union Station taking some pictures and the made our way to Al’s Italian Beef. A beef sandwich was an early lunch. From there we made our way to the Lake Front. Along the way we stopped at Garrett’s to get some popcorn for the train journey.
At the lake front we found Buckingham Fountain dry, but it is still nice to walk along the lake. Our route took us north to the Chicago river, where we followed the River Walk along Wacker Drive. Really a nice walking path with good views of the river. We walked south on State Street till we decided to take a break at Pizanos Pizza and Pasta. From there we made our way south on Wabash and stopped at another Al’s Beef shop and had an other hot dog.
Needed some Garrets for the trip
Then we made our way back to Union Station having walked over 9 miles, we went to the lounge and enjoyed some refreshment.
At the Metropolitan Lounge we met up with friends and waited for our train to board. The train was set to depart at 8:05 pm and boarding started at 7:20 pm. The sleeper cars are located near the front of the train and sleeper car passengers are boarded first directly from the lounge.
We arrived at our sleeper car and found it to be as small as we expected. The size of the compartment is about 7 feet by 4 feet. Some room for a roller bag to fit under the chairs. The two seats face each other and will lay down to create the lower bed, the upper bed will simply drop down. There are reading lights for the seats and power outlet and temperature control. Small compared compared to other sleeper cars we have experienced in South Africa and Europe, but it will do the job.
The dining car is the next car down followed by the lounge car. The dining car is comprised of basically 4 top configurations and passengers are seated as you enter the car. Mixing couples and singles together making for good conversation. This evening for dinner one had their choice between a roast chicken, Angus beef burger, or a veggie pasta. Lynn and I opted for the burger, which was good, and a friend had the chicken, which was really good. For dessert there was ice-cream, chocolate moose , or a cheese cake. We had the moose and cheese cake, both were good.
As we were sitting in the dining car, out the window of the dinning car I see a red neon cross and a sign saying Jesus Saves. I knew the location well, Pacific Garden Mission. When in Jr. High School, or maybe Grede School, I made a visit to the mission and was moved by the work being done there, The Pacific Garden Mission is a place of refuge for those less fortunate and down on their luck. I remember going home and hitting my piggy bank and sending them some money. To this day my mother knits several pairs of mittens and sends them there each fall, so folks can receive them before the cold weather hits.
Next is the club car, a small bar area and a nice area with large windows to watch the world go by. The offerings from the bar are limited but adequate.
After dinner we somewhat rearranged our room and I grabbed a bourbon and water and made my way to the Club Car as we pulled out of Kankakee.
I have called dibs on the top bunk and will call it a night here shortly. Getting ready to say Good Morning America. The dining car opens at 0630 and that is where I will be to greet the day.
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