One more train

I write to you from the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago as we await the boarding call for the eastbound Cardinal at 5:15.  The ride from Denver to Chicago is fairly boring as far as scenery is concerned with the only sights worth noting is the Missippi River and the many farms dotting the midwest.

Amazingly, we arrived in Chicago a little early.  The on time performance on this trip has been incredible with us arriving early or on time on every leg except for our arrival in to San Francisco due to the southbound train hitting a camper just ahead of us.  Considering that we will have traveled over 7000 miles, it is pretty remarkable that we have kept to the schedule.

Also amazing, the on board crews and staff have been super friendly and accomodating.  This trip has been much better than my big trip last summer for this reason and for not being many hours late each time.

The food has also been fantastic.  We have enjoyed delicious steak, crabcakes, duck with orange sauce, chicken cacciatore, angus burgers, soups, and fabulous desserts.   Here is a picture of the fabulous deep dish pizza we enjoyed in Chicago and a picture from the wine and cheese tasting on the Coast Starlight:

They will be calling us to board, soon, so I will sign off for today.  I'll post from home tomorrow night.  All aboard.