Train Trip to Chicago


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After returning to Chicago, Carone and I decided to do some shopping on the Magnificent Mile. Shops were very crowded, but there were some bargains to be had. Carone picked up a nice wool coat at the Banana Republic inside Water Tower Place. Water Tower Place is a seven-floor mall located (naturally) near the Water Tower. It has a central atrium where you can lean over the handrail and look all the way down.
		For dinner on our second night in Chicago, we thought we'd try some pizza, but the places were jammed with two hour waits. We had passed by Lawry's walking around, and managed to get in there. I was sort of disappointed in Lawry's, for although the prime rib was good, it was rather cold. Lawry's cooks the meat and carves it at the table in a cart. Unfortunately, the meat didn't stay particularly warm.
The next day, it became apparent that we had to do some laundry. Dave and I thought we'd find a laundromat out in the suburbs, and at the same time, we could visit Fermilab. I have always been intrigued by the lab's architecture, and wanted to see the site. Unfortunately, I forgot about 9/11--the site was closed to visitors. We drove around the site looking for the best view of Wilson Hall--which was obtained on a walking bridge. It was very breezy and very cold!
		Returning from the suburbs (which were suprisingly bland), we drove back in on I-55, where I took this very industrial photo of the Chicago skyline.
For our last evening in Chicago, we decided to eat at the Armenian restaurant across the street from our hotel, Sayat-Nova. I had wanted to go there when I came to Chicago in 1999, but the people I was with weren't into ethnic foods. The food at Sayat-Nova is very good, and we got a laugh when we asked our waiter if he was Armenian. "Not a stitch," was the Chicago-accented reply.
		The next day, we ate lunch at a restaurant called the Rainforest Cafe. It looked quite cheesy from the outside, so we were sure we wouldn't be disappointed. We weren't-there's tons of cheese here for everyone!
The Rainforest Cafe is a chain, we discovered. The entire inside is decorated in fake (and hopefully flameproof) foilage. Occasionally the lights would flash and you'd hear thunder. Sort of like being on the set of Gilligan's Island. Portions were far too large to eat.
		In the afternoon we headed back to Union Station to hook up with our ride back home, The California Zephyr. After arriving at the packed station, we learned that this train was also delayed by over two hours. This appears to be the norm for Amtrak. We waited in the packed Metropolitan Lounge...
We finally got on the train after dark and headed to our compartment. We ate a late dinner and retired. Sleeping was difficult because the train jolted quite a bit this first night. In the morning, we awoke to the Colorado countryside.
		Our first stop was at Denver, which has an imposing station. It was still cold, but noticeably warmer than Chicago.
We got out and looked around the station. Dave bought a Denver Post (he's holding it) and we exercised our legs.
		I got a photo of the locomotives on our train. I'm unsure whether there were three at the start of the trip in Chicago, or whether one was added in Denver. We'd need the extra horsepower for the climb into the Rockies.
Just outside of Denver, we began our climb into the Rockies with a hairpin turn that allowed me to photograph the locomotives.
		We saw some beautiful scenery during our travel through the Rocky Mountains.
One part of the trip had us passing next to beautiful gold-colored outcroppings with a dusting of snow.
		There's a highway which runs close to the tracks, and one point is famous for cars which have taken the corner too quickly and gone over the side. One smashed car is visible at the center of this photo.
Shortly before Winter Park, we entered the Moffat Tunnel, one of the longest tunnels in the world. It is 6.2 miles long, and we were admonished not to travel between cars while in the tunnel to keep the locomotive exhaust out. This picture shows the west portal of the tunnel right after we exited.
		Winter Park is a popular destination for skiers. The visibility was fantastic up here.
Descending down the west side of the mountains, we had to pull over and allow the eastbound Zephyr to pass us.
		We had a deluxe bedroom on the Zephyr, which is larger and has a chair and a private bath. Much time was spent here reading and looking out the window.
We stopped at Grand Junction for a brief time. Not too much to see at the station.

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