It's quite the cliche, and I've always laughed at it - and then, in the closing days of August after a 2 day power outage, I decided to take a "Mental Health Day."
I was lying in bed, night of the 26th, having recently gotten power restored. The place was finally cooling but I couldn't sleep after the past couple of days, filled with various stressors that were both related, and unrelated, to the power being out. I was contemplating just waking up early and driving somewhere - anywhere, but lo and behold there were low bucket seats in BC on the Wolverine going to and from Chicago. Easy decision to make and in the wee hours, after still not getting any sleep due to a helicopter that kept circling the area, I was throwing my bag in the car and driving to an apartment complex in Ann Arbor that was within walking distance of the Amtrak station. (yes, it was legit for me to park there, and it's not that close but I was fine with the long walk). It was dark and a bit eerie with all the traffic lights out, although the hospital systems in the area had power and lit up the night sky - well, now early morning sky. I set out for the station at 6 am, and the sky gradually lightened, with the occasional jogger on the sidewalk and the normal shift traffic to the medical centers. The sun was up when I arrived at 7 for the 7:14 departure. It was very pleasant outside so I didn't go into the station, just waited by the track. It was a respectable, but not overly large crowd (probably why low bucket was still available in both coach and BC). An announcement was made by the station staff to the effect that this train was going to board solo travelers to one direction, and groups of 2 or more in the other. BC was in the rear of the train. 351 was right on time, and I was able to get the last solo seat. Settled in and went to get coffee after watching the very familiar Michigan scenery for a while. One interesting change is they no longer offer unlimited coffee and tea to the BC car, in addition to the complimentary nonalcoholic beverage. I've always gotten a coffee and a bottled water. The attendant gave that to me, and explained it was difficult to offer coffee refills because they wouldn't have enough for the train. So I should expect this change in the future, apparently. And further, that you get one beverage - so coffee or water, not both. Well, no matter, the coffee is strong and I dilute it with the water anyway, but people might like to know.
It was an uneventful ride to Chicago and I dozed off and on. We arrived on time, and I was planning to go straight to the hotel as my room was ready early. However, there was an elderly gentleman who I suspected might be having some difficulty. He had left his carryon in the overhead and I waited to see if someone was coming to help, sure enough the conductor came back and retrieved it for him. I was among the last to leave the car which was at the rear of the train, and wasn't in any particular hurry, so I just enjoyed the familiar walk along the platform in the morning light, pausing to admire a parked Superliner. When I reached the station entrance, I saw the same gentleman, standing the busy corridor by the tracks, amidst the travelers rushing by, looking sad and confused. I don't have much of a heart but it broke right there. I knew he was connecting to a LD train in a sleeper from his cell phone conversation on the train, so I went up to him and asked him if he knew where to go. "No" he said. I replied, "Follow me!" and off we went. He was fine to walk, not quickly but not in any distress. I explained there would be a lounge where he could wait, with beverages and snacks, and that he didn't need to walk back to his train when boarding that afternoon, pointing out a redcap driving by. He told me he was going to San Diego to a convention. We got to the entrance of the lounge and he shook my hand before checking in with the attendant. Before leaving, I mentioned to her that he might need help getting to the track, she was well aware from the conversation with him. I saw him looking at me from the door of the baggage room, he seemed content so I didn't stay, just checked in to use the facilities and grab a bottled water before setting out into the sunshine once again.
I was lying in bed, night of the 26th, having recently gotten power restored. The place was finally cooling but I couldn't sleep after the past couple of days, filled with various stressors that were both related, and unrelated, to the power being out. I was contemplating just waking up early and driving somewhere - anywhere, but lo and behold there were low bucket seats in BC on the Wolverine going to and from Chicago. Easy decision to make and in the wee hours, after still not getting any sleep due to a helicopter that kept circling the area, I was throwing my bag in the car and driving to an apartment complex in Ann Arbor that was within walking distance of the Amtrak station. (yes, it was legit for me to park there, and it's not that close but I was fine with the long walk). It was dark and a bit eerie with all the traffic lights out, although the hospital systems in the area had power and lit up the night sky - well, now early morning sky. I set out for the station at 6 am, and the sky gradually lightened, with the occasional jogger on the sidewalk and the normal shift traffic to the medical centers. The sun was up when I arrived at 7 for the 7:14 departure. It was very pleasant outside so I didn't go into the station, just waited by the track. It was a respectable, but not overly large crowd (probably why low bucket was still available in both coach and BC). An announcement was made by the station staff to the effect that this train was going to board solo travelers to one direction, and groups of 2 or more in the other. BC was in the rear of the train. 351 was right on time, and I was able to get the last solo seat. Settled in and went to get coffee after watching the very familiar Michigan scenery for a while. One interesting change is they no longer offer unlimited coffee and tea to the BC car, in addition to the complimentary nonalcoholic beverage. I've always gotten a coffee and a bottled water. The attendant gave that to me, and explained it was difficult to offer coffee refills because they wouldn't have enough for the train. So I should expect this change in the future, apparently. And further, that you get one beverage - so coffee or water, not both. Well, no matter, the coffee is strong and I dilute it with the water anyway, but people might like to know.
It was an uneventful ride to Chicago and I dozed off and on. We arrived on time, and I was planning to go straight to the hotel as my room was ready early. However, there was an elderly gentleman who I suspected might be having some difficulty. He had left his carryon in the overhead and I waited to see if someone was coming to help, sure enough the conductor came back and retrieved it for him. I was among the last to leave the car which was at the rear of the train, and wasn't in any particular hurry, so I just enjoyed the familiar walk along the platform in the morning light, pausing to admire a parked Superliner. When I reached the station entrance, I saw the same gentleman, standing the busy corridor by the tracks, amidst the travelers rushing by, looking sad and confused. I don't have much of a heart but it broke right there. I knew he was connecting to a LD train in a sleeper from his cell phone conversation on the train, so I went up to him and asked him if he knew where to go. "No" he said. I replied, "Follow me!" and off we went. He was fine to walk, not quickly but not in any distress. I explained there would be a lounge where he could wait, with beverages and snacks, and that he didn't need to walk back to his train when boarding that afternoon, pointing out a redcap driving by. He told me he was going to San Diego to a convention. We got to the entrance of the lounge and he shook my hand before checking in with the attendant. Before leaving, I mentioned to her that he might need help getting to the track, she was well aware from the conversation with him. I saw him looking at me from the door of the baggage room, he seemed content so I didn't stay, just checked in to use the facilities and grab a bottled water before setting out into the sunshine once again.
