A
alcs_mom_susan
Guest
describing my first amtrak train trip is ultimately an impossible task, because my memory fails me a bit since i hit the fifties. nonetheless, my aim today is simply to share and highlight my first train trip with my son from alliance to chicago.
firstly, as a train buff, my son, has coaxed me ad nauseum to take a trip on the rails. he loves it. he breathes it. it's in his trackie soul. i wasn't altogether sure that i'd share his enthusiam or his affinity for train travel. but i wanted to embrace a mother/son bonding experience, and he suggested a trip on train 29 from alliance, ohio to chicago, illinois. never been to chicago. okay. i have frank sinatra cd's, and michael bubble knockoffs when the originals get too repugnant. i think chicago. the sox. mafia.hot dogs.deep dish pizza. prime steaks, you get the picture. i'm a foodie. i think, it'll be fun, and i can do anything for 24 hours, right?
well, i park my little green dodge neon in the alliance amtrak lot, hoping i'd see it 24 hours hence. who bothers a dirty dodge neon? we'd called julie for her manufactured dulcet toned "train status report." the 29 was running about an hour and a half late, and we boarded for points bound west.
i love the sound of trains. i hear the whistle, and it's like pavlov's dogs. it's HERE! it's approaching, and i will soon be on it. i am not the nonchalent, seasoned traveler. i am wide, though bleary-eyed, because it was in the wee hours of the morning, and i'd had little sleep. i'm short-legged, and not an athletic sort. i was pleased that they had a little yellow step stool waiting for me to take my leap off the platform into the sleek, silver beast. we received our seat assignment, up one flight, the second coach car, first set of seats on the left, no foot rests, but enough leg room to lay out a dead horse if you so desired. i'm no little thing, and neither is my son, so i was pleasantly surprised that his toutings of more than adequate room, were not to make me feel better. it was ample, and comfortable, cleaner than the last plane that i was in. there were head rests, reclining seats, and leg extensions, sorta like a la-z-boy on steroids.
didn't sleep too well. i think it was the adrenalin, though, not the accomodations. it was quiet enough. just the train sounds, an occasional passing freight train, and a passenger or two, headed to points south for their nightly bathroom break. the 5 potties are on the lower level. an amish woman and her daughter were directly across from us. her daughter was huddled up on the floor, fetal-style, while mama laid across both seats. it seemed to work for them. they looked crisp, and collected.
the only down side of the evening's travel was when the conductor, trying to make up time, no doubt, went over a switch or something at over 70 miles an hour (so I am told by my son), waking nearly everyone up as they were joustled forward unexpectedly. i looked at ALC. was this my titanic moment? no, he, quickly assured me. we were to be all right.
the next morning we decided to go to the dining car for eats. i didn't expect much, as i knew the offerings were largely pre-prepared then warmed in convection ovens. going through the observation car, to the dining car, we were seated in a booth not much different than at a denny's. it was sunny, and the food smelled pretty good to my empty stomach. my son ordered amtoast (amtrak's french toast), and i had an egg and cheese omelette w /grits, and a croissant. (nasty.) have the former. there was good coffee, free refills and generic orange juice. it was nicely presented on fake amtrak ware that resembled china, with real silver, nice quality paper napkins and table linens, and a red carnation as well. the food selection was not enormous, adequate, the food OKAY, not good, and the prices high, but not insane. i wanted to try a meal on the train. i got it out of my system.
the train crew, with the exception of the lead dining car attendant were right on the money, all more than cordial, well-trained, and helpful. i even met lou, the sleeping car attendant, who has celebrity status on tv (and whom my son touted as being one of the best he's ever met on his last sleeper trip on the same train). so that was way cool for me. he's a pro. it shows. he exuded good service. the dining attendant really didn't want to serve us breakfast, that was fairly apparent by his demeanor. oh well. we all have our jobs to do. (except me. i'm unemployed since january.)
we detrained at the world famous union station. any train movie i've ever seen has footage from that immense great hall. it's massive, spectacular, okay, i gawked like the tourist that i was. it was a splendid moment. maybe alc will post the pic of me looking up in the heaven's at union station. loved it. though at that time of day, the crowds i expected were nearly non-existent. so sad. the bathrooms in the station were cleaner than i expected. when you got off your tushy, you pressed a little button, and a new clean plastic sheet advanced for the next available bum. the hand dryers are state-of-the art. didn't smell like urine or poo. kudos, staff.
boarded the city busline bound for navy pier, our first destination of the day. nice public transportation. chicago makes a good first impression. clean. big. exciting, friendly. i feel energized. navy pier. i'm 54. never been there. i know it's a shameful tourist trap. i don't care, alc, do you hear me? we walk about. get our bearings. get on the ferris wheel, have our picture taken, see the pier from the top. i love it. my son, who tries to feign coolness, likes it, too. the flower beds are spectacular, the boardwalk eats smell terrific, i even opt to have a beer i the beer garden ($4.50). what the hell? i'm on a day trip. we have a trip booked on the schooner ship at 1:30. (ugh. save your money) have a wonderful shared luch off the pier of a seafood platter. alc does oysters on the half shell. color us happy. th food rocks. i think it was called riva's?... we walk all over, check out the souvenir shops. i even broke a bottle of hot sauce in the obamamania room. took in the louis tiffany stained glass exhibit. it's free. and spectacular.
got on the bus to find the world famous chicago chop house. first seating is at 4pm, we have to be at the station to return about six. alc grabbed the wrong shirt. business casual. he's in a tee. we head to the garment district to find a black polo shirt, then into a starbuck's for an iced coffee to get out of the heat. street performers everywhere. so cool. i don't get out enough!
almost 4, we head on down to the steak landmark. we did our homework. we knew it was expensive. 24 oz. prime rib, bone-in for me. half a bovine on a plate. the signature tomahawk ribeye a la oscar (crabmeat, hollandaise and asparagus...yumm!), 36 oz. or alc. a side of mac and cheese w/ truffle sauce, steamed spinach and good bread. we ate about 1/3, packed it up and indulged in dessert decadence. a layered german chocolate for alc and a much too rich carrot cake for me. believe it or not, we did not overeat, but our leftovers last on.way on! damages, under $200. yikes. visa. don't leave home without it. dinner at the chicago chop house... priceless. old steak house charm, you expect the rat pack to enter and sit around the piano any minute. live up to expectation. probably not, but it was good!
public transit back to the station as our pockets were now empty. after a quick potty break I saw my son talking to lou again in front of a chinese "cajun" chicken shop, they discussed how lou had taken the amtrak CEO around the counrty-- after lou took his leave back to the train (which alc assured me would be the exact same train and crew) we made out way to teh boarding gate.
bored, alc pulled out his scanner. cool. we heard all the comings and goings. knew precisely when train 30 was about to take us home. the cattle call this time around boarding was more intense. passengers in line, waiting to board. a woman w/a sleeper says she has to wait in line. quelle horror. like coach is pariah! geez, lady, get a grip. i love to people watch. the diversity. the smell. it's grittier than plane travel. but if you're a sissy, like me, you can handle it quite nicely. all the amenities you need. let's face it. we're spoiled. we've lost some of that pioneering spirit that forged the rails in the first place. the best ravel is always off the beaten path. the people. the smells. the food. the soppy wings in the cafe car before midnight when you get a craving are not "de riguer" perhaps, but satisfying. a gent i meet there asks me to meet him in the observation deck for a drink. not sure alc would approve. good people. interesting faraway places. my wonderful son, unabashed, amtrak-head fan that he is, and a shared experience i shall never forget.
i say, try the train.....you may be a convert. just like me.
firstly, as a train buff, my son, has coaxed me ad nauseum to take a trip on the rails. he loves it. he breathes it. it's in his trackie soul. i wasn't altogether sure that i'd share his enthusiam or his affinity for train travel. but i wanted to embrace a mother/son bonding experience, and he suggested a trip on train 29 from alliance, ohio to chicago, illinois. never been to chicago. okay. i have frank sinatra cd's, and michael bubble knockoffs when the originals get too repugnant. i think chicago. the sox. mafia.hot dogs.deep dish pizza. prime steaks, you get the picture. i'm a foodie. i think, it'll be fun, and i can do anything for 24 hours, right?
well, i park my little green dodge neon in the alliance amtrak lot, hoping i'd see it 24 hours hence. who bothers a dirty dodge neon? we'd called julie for her manufactured dulcet toned "train status report." the 29 was running about an hour and a half late, and we boarded for points bound west.
i love the sound of trains. i hear the whistle, and it's like pavlov's dogs. it's HERE! it's approaching, and i will soon be on it. i am not the nonchalent, seasoned traveler. i am wide, though bleary-eyed, because it was in the wee hours of the morning, and i'd had little sleep. i'm short-legged, and not an athletic sort. i was pleased that they had a little yellow step stool waiting for me to take my leap off the platform into the sleek, silver beast. we received our seat assignment, up one flight, the second coach car, first set of seats on the left, no foot rests, but enough leg room to lay out a dead horse if you so desired. i'm no little thing, and neither is my son, so i was pleasantly surprised that his toutings of more than adequate room, were not to make me feel better. it was ample, and comfortable, cleaner than the last plane that i was in. there were head rests, reclining seats, and leg extensions, sorta like a la-z-boy on steroids.
didn't sleep too well. i think it was the adrenalin, though, not the accomodations. it was quiet enough. just the train sounds, an occasional passing freight train, and a passenger or two, headed to points south for their nightly bathroom break. the 5 potties are on the lower level. an amish woman and her daughter were directly across from us. her daughter was huddled up on the floor, fetal-style, while mama laid across both seats. it seemed to work for them. they looked crisp, and collected.
the only down side of the evening's travel was when the conductor, trying to make up time, no doubt, went over a switch or something at over 70 miles an hour (so I am told by my son), waking nearly everyone up as they were joustled forward unexpectedly. i looked at ALC. was this my titanic moment? no, he, quickly assured me. we were to be all right.
the next morning we decided to go to the dining car for eats. i didn't expect much, as i knew the offerings were largely pre-prepared then warmed in convection ovens. going through the observation car, to the dining car, we were seated in a booth not much different than at a denny's. it was sunny, and the food smelled pretty good to my empty stomach. my son ordered amtoast (amtrak's french toast), and i had an egg and cheese omelette w /grits, and a croissant. (nasty.) have the former. there was good coffee, free refills and generic orange juice. it was nicely presented on fake amtrak ware that resembled china, with real silver, nice quality paper napkins and table linens, and a red carnation as well. the food selection was not enormous, adequate, the food OKAY, not good, and the prices high, but not insane. i wanted to try a meal on the train. i got it out of my system.
the train crew, with the exception of the lead dining car attendant were right on the money, all more than cordial, well-trained, and helpful. i even met lou, the sleeping car attendant, who has celebrity status on tv (and whom my son touted as being one of the best he's ever met on his last sleeper trip on the same train). so that was way cool for me. he's a pro. it shows. he exuded good service. the dining attendant really didn't want to serve us breakfast, that was fairly apparent by his demeanor. oh well. we all have our jobs to do. (except me. i'm unemployed since january.)
we detrained at the world famous union station. any train movie i've ever seen has footage from that immense great hall. it's massive, spectacular, okay, i gawked like the tourist that i was. it was a splendid moment. maybe alc will post the pic of me looking up in the heaven's at union station. loved it. though at that time of day, the crowds i expected were nearly non-existent. so sad. the bathrooms in the station were cleaner than i expected. when you got off your tushy, you pressed a little button, and a new clean plastic sheet advanced for the next available bum. the hand dryers are state-of-the art. didn't smell like urine or poo. kudos, staff.
boarded the city busline bound for navy pier, our first destination of the day. nice public transportation. chicago makes a good first impression. clean. big. exciting, friendly. i feel energized. navy pier. i'm 54. never been there. i know it's a shameful tourist trap. i don't care, alc, do you hear me? we walk about. get our bearings. get on the ferris wheel, have our picture taken, see the pier from the top. i love it. my son, who tries to feign coolness, likes it, too. the flower beds are spectacular, the boardwalk eats smell terrific, i even opt to have a beer i the beer garden ($4.50). what the hell? i'm on a day trip. we have a trip booked on the schooner ship at 1:30. (ugh. save your money) have a wonderful shared luch off the pier of a seafood platter. alc does oysters on the half shell. color us happy. th food rocks. i think it was called riva's?... we walk all over, check out the souvenir shops. i even broke a bottle of hot sauce in the obamamania room. took in the louis tiffany stained glass exhibit. it's free. and spectacular.
got on the bus to find the world famous chicago chop house. first seating is at 4pm, we have to be at the station to return about six. alc grabbed the wrong shirt. business casual. he's in a tee. we head to the garment district to find a black polo shirt, then into a starbuck's for an iced coffee to get out of the heat. street performers everywhere. so cool. i don't get out enough!
almost 4, we head on down to the steak landmark. we did our homework. we knew it was expensive. 24 oz. prime rib, bone-in for me. half a bovine on a plate. the signature tomahawk ribeye a la oscar (crabmeat, hollandaise and asparagus...yumm!), 36 oz. or alc. a side of mac and cheese w/ truffle sauce, steamed spinach and good bread. we ate about 1/3, packed it up and indulged in dessert decadence. a layered german chocolate for alc and a much too rich carrot cake for me. believe it or not, we did not overeat, but our leftovers last on.way on! damages, under $200. yikes. visa. don't leave home without it. dinner at the chicago chop house... priceless. old steak house charm, you expect the rat pack to enter and sit around the piano any minute. live up to expectation. probably not, but it was good!
public transit back to the station as our pockets were now empty. after a quick potty break I saw my son talking to lou again in front of a chinese "cajun" chicken shop, they discussed how lou had taken the amtrak CEO around the counrty-- after lou took his leave back to the train (which alc assured me would be the exact same train and crew) we made out way to teh boarding gate.
bored, alc pulled out his scanner. cool. we heard all the comings and goings. knew precisely when train 30 was about to take us home. the cattle call this time around boarding was more intense. passengers in line, waiting to board. a woman w/a sleeper says she has to wait in line. quelle horror. like coach is pariah! geez, lady, get a grip. i love to people watch. the diversity. the smell. it's grittier than plane travel. but if you're a sissy, like me, you can handle it quite nicely. all the amenities you need. let's face it. we're spoiled. we've lost some of that pioneering spirit that forged the rails in the first place. the best ravel is always off the beaten path. the people. the smells. the food. the soppy wings in the cafe car before midnight when you get a craving are not "de riguer" perhaps, but satisfying. a gent i meet there asks me to meet him in the observation deck for a drink. not sure alc would approve. good people. interesting faraway places. my wonderful son, unabashed, amtrak-head fan that he is, and a shared experience i shall never forget.
i say, try the train.....you may be a convert. just like me.
