Not having traveled for a while there has been an array of rookie mistakes but in spite of them I am currently sitting in the 2nd level full glass observation lounge observing serving Illinois farmland with about 4″ of snow on the ground with a Bloody Mary to the right of my keyboard.

The trip began badly enough with the NE Regional getting out of Wilmington 50 minutes late due to more bad weather in the Northeast. I had booked the train 1 hour earlier than necessary to allow for this contingenc

y so I was ok in DC. NE Regionals are not all that cool, fairly crowded – a departure from my business and first class Acela days. So it was a crappy ride on a foul day but my first time over the Susquehanna on a train. And I had slept only 3 hours night before getting ready so I was a bit buzzy. With 45 minutes leeway I was able to negotiate the DC station and find my way onto the Capitol Limited. The Roomette was a learning experience but I recalled some tips from a you tube video. I am way over-luggaged but I was still able to stow all my gear in the room. I settled in, made 8:00 dinner reservations, closed the door and mellowed for the first time of an already long day. Weather was gray and dreary through Morgantown, Cumberland, and into darkness.

I woke once in the night, saw some lights at a stop, pulled back the curtain and saw an illuminated sign on the back of a stadium that said “Home of the Cleveland Indians”. I had a robust breakfast (included) and took a shower in the community shower. It was extremely efficient, comfortable, and easy to use.

Chicago Union Station: Obviously a little overwhelming walking in for the first time. I asked and was directed to a special club lounge for Sleeper Cars and First Class bound for various points West. It was a huge carpeted area of couches, chairs, work tables, soft lighting, free drinks and snacks, and polite people to attend you and check your baggage. This was important because I had planned to make room reservations for Flagstaff and Sedona on the Capital Limited but alas, long haul Amtrak has no wifi and in the mountains cellular was less than 50%. So to make my reservations I spread the table with pad, phone, and written notes I had collected. Big mistake to wait that long. Sedona was booked due to the long (Valentine) weekend. I couldn’t even get a room in the trusty old Hampton Inn. I finally found a place paying more than I had wanted. But you know, in yesteryear I would have handled all this deftly with a telephone and yellow pages book. Unfortunately I now didn’t have the time left that I had wanted to explore Chicago. I ended up taking a brisk, in the high 20’s, 1.25 hour walk to the Lake and back – wanted to go into the Chicago Art Institute Museum but didn’t have the time. At least I got in some great exercise. In my short time in Chicago I was able to help a wayfarer with directions who was pulling luggage down the street and asked me where Union Station was.

Tell Janet I was less than 200 miles from Traverse City. So from the Lounge an attendant actually ushers the entire group to the gate and train – very nice. This time, being an old hand, I had my room arranged in 3 minutes. Last call for HH – more later.

PS – Loads of Amish in the Capital Sleeper. I heard them saying they were heading to Omaha, then Dakota. Now there is another bunch on this train. What’s going on?

Met an interesting woman at dinner, from Ireland, taking over an American presence for her uncle who owned a Westwood publishing in Southern Cal, was supposed to have a place to stay in San Jose but her contact backed out – complicated story, she was distraught – traveling Coach.