October 8 So rather than stay in central Chicago (so expensive!) we chose the Pilsen neighborhood. Originally built to accommodate central European immigrants, Pilsen began attracting Mexican immigrants in the mid-20th century. Now, it’s slowly gentrifying and has become known … Continue reading →
October 10-12 So what is it like taking Amtrak? Pleasant and relaxing. Kathie and Diane opted for a room which is cozy, to put it nicely. Although it theoretically slept three, I think that two adults and a child would … Continue reading →
October 12-14 We pulled into downtown Portland around noon.Time for lunch! We had a decent meal at a downtown bar-restaurant and then looked around a little. Powell’s Books was a must–the world’s largest independent bookstore. Unfortunately my carry-on only plane … Continue reading →
October 14-15 The Portland to LA route on Amtrak is called the Coast Starlight and it’s a beauty. It’s also a popular route and was significantly more crowded than the prior train. This train also has a very different vibe from … Continue reading →
October 15-18 We arrived at Union Station, Los Angeles late on the 15th after substantial Amtrak delays. It’s a gorgeous Art Deco train station recently renovated and lit up. Checked into the Samesun Venice Beach Hostel which is only steps … Continue reading →
October 18-19 We boarded Amtrak late–around 10pm– and settled in to sleep soon after; By morning we were rolling through southern Arizona. We had a long stop in Tucson where the train station served up an incredible breakfast burrito. It … Continue reading →
October 20-22 After staggering off the train at 5am and taking a quick Uber to our hotel, La Quinta by Wyndham San Antonio, we were delighted to check into our room right away without even having to pay for another … Continue reading →
October 22-25 The last portion of the Sunset Limited from San Antonio to New Orleans was rockier than the first portion from Los Angeles to San Antonio. Or maybe we had just had enough of “training”. The train that was … Continue reading →
