I didn't get to update yesterday because I was too busy having fun and when I thought about it, I didn't have cell coverage, so here I am nearing the end of the second day with my first update while traveling.

Our train getting into Staunton was one hour late, but it soon arrived and we boarded our coach and set off.  Going through western Virginia and West Virginia is very slow going because of the condition of the tracks.  It is also extremely rough.  Since we were an hour late, we didn't get to see much of West Virginia as it was dark soon after White Sulfur Springs.

After grabbing something to eat in the lounge car, we headed back to our coach seats and relaxed until we could move to our sleeper.  Once in the sleeper, we settled in and tried to catch some sleep before breakfast, but the tracks were so rough that it was hard to sleep.  The Cardinal does not have a full kitchen and breakfast was not very good as it was just microwaved food.  The crew was nice, though, and our sleeping car attendant was very friendly.  We actually got into Chicago almost an hour early. 



After checking into the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago, we set out for the Willis Tower Sky Deck.  The Willis Tower, formerly called the Sears Tower, was at one time the tallest building in the world.  We went up to the observation deck and looked at the fantastic views over Chicago.  The weather was a bit windy but very sunny and clear.

They also have plexiglass observation areas where you can walk out and look down



After viewing the skyline of Chicago, we were hungry and wanted some Chicago style deep dish pizza, so we headed down Jackson Street to Giordano's for some pie.  Yummmm.

After enjoying our pizza, we headed back to Chicago Union Station and went and looked around the old great hall.  It was beautiful.  Then we checked back in to the Metropolitan Lounge and waited for the Conductor of our next train to come in and pull our tickets.  After this was accomplished, we had a red cap take us out to our sleeper car and we boarded.  We left Chicago on time and headed west.  We enjoyed watching the heartland of America speed by us as we headed toward the Mississippi River, which we passed just at sunset.  We had a nice dinner on the Southwest Chief and headed to bed early,  though I got up for the extended station stop at Kansas City.  They have a beautiful old station in Kansas City, too.  Back to bed I went and we slept great.  Until the next time.........