The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 3

11:07am Central Time.   Onboard the Empire Builder.   

Sleep was in short supply this morning, in part because of the overnight thunder and lightning, and partly because of the sometimes-shaky condition of the tracks.    I got up in time for the 6:00 breakfast, which I took in with a couple of new former strangers - both from Indiana.   I'm finding out, first hand, what a great conversation starter train travel is, and how much people who do it enjoy it.    I heard about the different routes in the Amtrak System - the Silver Star, the Sunset Limited, the Southwest Chief, and and others.  I also heard about how it's possible to do an entire circle around the country in 15 days, with stops between cities, on one Amtrak ticket.    I'll check into that and get back to you, my loyal readers.   

This morning was spent largely alongside bodies of water, specifically, the Mississippi River and its tributaries.   We also learned, courtesy of the friendly Park Service volunteers, about the various lakes and streams (including Lake Pepin), the fish and other life that inhabit them, and what a certain particular life form is doing to them and managing them (hint: it's a highly advanced primate).   The waters seemed to go on, and on, and on, with cottages, houses, piers, and even small towns gracing their banks.   The water was quite calm today, and the day was somewhat hazy but with some blue peaking through.   Fishermen and their boats dotted the lakes and rivers as we passed by, along with the occasional speed boat.    After passing Winona (and the stories about Garrison Keillor and Winona State University) and crossing the river bridge (which also serves as the Minnesota/Wisconsin state line), we were met with vast, farmed flatlands nestled in wooded, rolling hills.   Another four and 1/2 hours of motley, and I'll be in Chicago for the three day Big Bean Dip sampler tour.   

6:01pm.   Ohio House Motel, Downtown Chicago. 

The train stopped longer than expected somewhere in either Minnesota or Wisconsin for an issue with "the air system" (I'm assuming the air brakes were the culprit.).  Fix put in place, and off we went. 

Milwaukee's skyline struck me as somewhat frozen in time, with all of the early-to-mid-20th century office buildings dotting the downtown area.   Of course, Miller Brewing was a prominent feature of said skyline, with the brewery and former corporate headquarters in view. (The company is now foreign-owned.). As I didn't get out of the train, I don't have an opinion to give about the city itself, but I see hints about the city's former industrial glories as the train moves through former factories and freight receiving stations.   

We turn south and head for Chicago.    Midway through this final leg, we stop in the middle of the right-of-way.   Minutes tick away before I hear over the loudspeaker that the train was having "mechanical issues", and that the crew were working as fast as possible to fix them.   This, soon after the air conditioning and all electrical power were turned off.   OK - this seems serious.   Another problem with "the air system"?   Or an engine problem - the locomotives generate the electricity for the rest of the train in addition to that used for the tractive force to propel the train.   About 45 minutes pass before the air conditioning turns on again, and we're told that we will stop at one more station prior to Chicago, then have to stop for systems testing one more time.   The time passes, the train stops at said station, and after a couple of miles, the train stops again.   Fifteen more minutes, and the train finally begins to lumber toward Union Station.   

We got off the train with the masses, and after enduring the diesel soot and loud volume of those massive machines and the phalanx of departing and boarding passengers, we make it into the station.   The station itself appears quite modern, making up in amenities what it lacks in old-time grandeur.   I got my iPhone out and pulled up Uber.   I got into a pool with two other people, and headed off to the hotel which just happened to be on the way of the other two passengers.   The fare to me? $3.75.   

Score another one for Uber. 

Got to the motel, which from appearances looked to have been built in the fifties or sixties and having a vibe which seemed to take me back to that time for a bit, but was completely remodeled.   Modern expectations such as Wifi and HD Television were present, and the room I entered was unpretentious and quite clean and comfortable.   One cannot beat the location, either:  I'm staring straight at Lasalle Street and the high-rises of downtown Chicago, so I'm expecting that the things I want to get to over the next three days will either be within walking distance or an easy ride on one of Chicago's many transit options.   

I might lay a bit low today, as I need the time for Apple to figure out what's wrong with my laptop.    But, once that's figured out, I'll be completely free to explore.   And share with you what I find out.   

10:49pm.  Back at the Ohio House Motel. 

I decided that no, I've only got three days and the evening is still young.   So, with the Google Map's app, I found a way to get to Hyde Park by the Subway.   I've taken the "L" here before, but not the Subway.   So, I bit.    

The feeling was like when I took the subway in New York for the first time - that anticipation that comes with a new adventure.   Using the Ventra Card turned out to be as simple as using BART or many other transit systems - just touch the card to the button, and the gates open.   Went about five stops, and walked over the bridge to Hyde Park.   One of the highlights from this mini-jaunt include the multi-colored fountain as it changed colors against the nighttime sky - there were several onlookers with hand-held and tripod-mounted cameras, taking still and moving pictures of the fountain's changing hues.   The view of the skyline itself was also intriguing from that vantage point.     

After taking a few wrong turns and getting off of the subway one stop too soon, (and thus, increasing my Fitbit step count which is a good thing), I found my way back to the Ohio House.   

Pictures and videos (which I've taken) coming up soon, as soon as my laptop is back to duty.