Major League Baseball Players

have to go through security but train riders don't! It was wonderful - never were we or our baggage screened.

Just realized -

That I would never make it as pioneer woman for the 3,492nd reason.* With the delays, the train trip home took us 41 hours. That doesn't count the car service ride to Akron from Cleveland's Amtrak station OR the two hour car ride to Zanesville. We had a joyous reunion at home and then a yummy salad lunch. Then I crashed and napped for two hours. How pioneer whimpy is that?!? I bet it would have taken more than 41 DAYS to get from Cleveland to Albuquerque?!?! But, I LOVED our train trip and would definitely do it again! Pioneer women did NOT get served extra meals and get deluxe sleeping berths when they had delays!
(*As I've read more of pioneer life as an adult, I've come to realize I would have been dead early on. I'm such a klutz that "hearth death" surely would have gotten me. Our midwife also "assured" me that I would have died in childbirth had it not been for modern medicine.)

Almost!

We are nearly to Cleveland - yay!

Delayed - again!

Stuck right outside of Union Station in Chicago. The train's power keeps cycling on and off. Our beds are made so we are chilling and praying the train doesn't get cancelled. :-(

My Favorite City

CHICAGO!

The Oasis: Metropolitan Lounge at Union Station

Ah!
We are reticketed and awaiting the Lake Shore Limited while snacking on complimentary pretzels and pop. The desk clerk told us a wine and cheese reception awaits us on the train -wow!

Plan B stands for (God's) Best

A little over an hour ago, we were told that our train was "officially" late and connections would be missed. I pressed the call button for our car attendant to ask for advice. He suggested we contact Amtrak's 1-800 number to see what could be done. Since we were still on the outskirts of Kansas City, MO (it looked like such a nice city, even in the rain), I still had 3G service.
A wonderful gal was able to get us on THE LAST SLEEPER BERTH on the Lake Shore Limited that leaves Chicago tonight at 9:30 PM. Had we not been able to make the reservation we would not been able to catch a train into Cleveland until 6:10 PM on Wednesday. She even made notation about the missed connection so we would not have any additional charges. We just ate lunch with a couple from Pittsburgh who have no idea how they will get home. We are grateful we have a sleeper because our train won't get into Cleveland until 5:35 AM. Grandpa Long will transport us the rest of the way to Fernbank, as originally planned.

The Bad

At this point we are running about five hours behind schedule. Our train left New Mexico an hour late. We had numerous stops overnight because of broken switches. (The battery boxes were vandalized.) At this point, it looks doubtful we will make our original train from Chicago to Cleveland. We are hoping to catch a later one that would get us in Wednesday morning. We know God will get us home safely. .

The Good-

We've had two lovely meals (dinner last night and breakfast this morning) with delightful people. We ate dinner with a CHRISTIAN couple. It was refreshing to share our faith. This morning we ate with some nice Chicagoans who just came from a visit in Albuquerque themselves. The food and service were outstanding once again.

FLAT!

We got the other side of the train this trip

And get to see snow-capped mountains!

All good things must come to an end-

Waiting for the train at the ABQ station. We LOVED our special time with family but are REALLY looking forward to our return to southeastern Ohio.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore

White Out In the Mountains

AKA "Glad I'm not driving in this!"

Coloring a Train Picture on a Train

Yet another S-curve

Front of the train going into Raton Pass

Steepest railroad grade in the US. It parallels the Santa Fe Trail.

Pringles: The Perfect Train Snack Food

Chillin in CO

We're taking it easy after breakfast.

Breakfast!

Authentic Pullman French Toast and awesome coffee!