Very trepidly I boarded the Amtrak train from Penn Station, New York to Chicago. I had booked a roomette, which included 2 seats that fold into a bed for the night. The steward came along to make my bed when required. In my mind I had thought the journey would be similar to the wonderful Rocky Mountaineer train in Canada, that Maurice and I had experienced several years ago, but alas, I was very disappointed! The train had no steward for the first 2 and a half hours as there were not enough staff, and any staff that were around, were either too busy or not interested enough to explain how things worked on the train. The train itself was very grubby and the food left a lot to be desired. not a good impression for my first Amtrak train journey!!
I had 4 hours to spare on arrival in Chicago before I was to board my next train, the Californian Zephyr, so decided to walk downtown and enjoy the glorious sunshine.
Straight down to Michigan Avenue with google maps! Over the Chicago River and down past the Willis Tower, a 110 story, 1451 foot skyscraper in the Loop district of Chicago. It was previously known as the Sears Tower. The Loop is a vibrant area featuring eclectic eateries, shops, theatres and parks. Down to Millennium Park past the Bowman and the Spearman bronze equestrian sculptures known as “Equestrian Indians”, stopping en route at a row of food trucks, to get a cup full of fruit covered in a Mexican sauce. Interesting and spicy and the fruit was delicious. I sat with my fruit cup at Crown Fountain and people watched. It was packed and there were children in the fountain and the scene was so vibrant and busy. What a difference the sun makes.
Then a quick visit to Wrigley Square, which is a public square in Millennium Park, and then a consult with Mr Google maps to get directions back to Union Station, to board the Californian Zephyr.
The California Zephyr is described as one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. The Zephyr runs between Chicago and San Francisco, coursing through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno and Sacramento into Emeryville/San Francisco. Connections in to San Francisco are via a Thruway Bus Service at Emeryville, California. As we climbed through the heart of the Rockies, and further west through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the landscape was majestic. We went past the raging Colorado River, past an are called “Moon River”, and if you look closely at the picture of the people in the zodiac, you will understand where the name came from! The scenery from start to finish went from flat farming land to mild hills with a few trees, to massive rocks and water and lakes, and to mountains. Sadly we passed through a few cities where there were a lot of homeless people in tents or disused camper vans. Such a contrast to the stunning countryside. Below are the various photos taken from the train as we transversed this hugh country.
Again the train itself left a lot to be desired, but I did have my own roomette as they are called, and met a lovely family on board, who I shared breakfast, lunch and dinner with. Thank you Jen, Chad and Anthony for including me on this journey.
Below are pictures taken from the train as we course through the country side!
A map of the Californian Zephyr route!
