On Tuesday we packed one bag and took a cab to Union Station to board the Amtrak Texas Eagle bound for Los Angeles (but we got off in Springfield, Illinois).
Union Station in Chicago is a cavernous building with architectual detail around every turn. Although they don't use the old hall for train departures and arrivals, we took a spin through to check it out.
Soon it was our turn to board. Can you tell Adam loves mass transportation? He had never been on an Amtrak train before, so he was full of anticipation. He loved that there was so much leg room he couldn't reach the seat in front of him with his feet. He promptly put up the foot rest and stretched out.
Bryce and Dan sat in the seats opposite for a good window view. Although it looks dark outside, it was mid-day. We were just in the loading area under the station.
As we left Chicago behind we soon were out in the countryside where there are many many corn fields.
If you are nine years old, you know it is a good day when you are riding a train, listening to Brian Reagan on your ipod, and you pass other kids riding the school bus after a long day in class.
Bryce was happy to be on the train too. He kept mentioning to everyone that the last time he rode a train (1999) he was in a train wreck. He enjoyed passing that little tidbit on to everyone. He also enjoyed having an uneventful ride this time.
As we left Chicago behind we soon were out in the countryside where there are many many corn fields.
If you are nine years old, you know it is a good day when you are riding a train, listening to Brian Reagan on your ipod, and you pass other kids riding the school bus after a long day in class.
Bryce was happy to be on the train too. He kept mentioning to everyone that the last time he rode a train (1999) he was in a train wreck. He enjoyed passing that little tidbit on to everyone. He also enjoyed having an uneventful ride this time.
Dan and the boys checked out the snack car and the observation car. Our trip wasn't long enough (only 3 1/2 hours) to be on the train for dinner, so we didn't use the dining car.
In no time we arrived in Springfield. It was chilly and a little rainy, but it was a lovely city.
Adam still can't wipe the smile off his face. He loved the train. And he also knows he has another train ride ahead of him tomorrow to get back to Chicago. We headed to our hotel for some dinner and relaxation.
Our purpose for coming to Springfield was to go to the Lincoln Museum that had recently been built. Morgan and Jamie had gone there several months earlier and highly recommended it. It is fabulous. It is well designed and very kid friendly. Here is Adam with a nine-year-old Abe in front of his log cabin.
We took the chance to pose with the Lincoln family in the rotunda.
This was a friendly docent who would quiz the boys on what they had seen as we passed by. You can see the main area of the museum behind us and a corner of the White House.
Soon it was time to catch our return train, but we had our cab driver take us by Lincoln's Home and Dan snapped a picture.
This is the train station in Springfield. Even though Springfield is the capitol, it is not that large, but there are many commuters going to and from the capitol, so the train station is fairly busy.
It was too chilly to wait outside for very long, so we waited in the waiting area inside.
Here comes the train!
Our train on the way back was a commuter train, so it did not have all the amenities of the cross country train we took coming out. But the trip was still very relaxing. Find a desitation and take Amtrak. It's a fun way to travel!
In no time we arrived in Springfield. It was chilly and a little rainy, but it was a lovely city.
Adam still can't wipe the smile off his face. He loved the train. And he also knows he has another train ride ahead of him tomorrow to get back to Chicago. We headed to our hotel for some dinner and relaxation.
Our purpose for coming to Springfield was to go to the Lincoln Museum that had recently been built. Morgan and Jamie had gone there several months earlier and highly recommended it. It is fabulous. It is well designed and very kid friendly. Here is Adam with a nine-year-old Abe in front of his log cabin.
We took the chance to pose with the Lincoln family in the rotunda.
This was a friendly docent who would quiz the boys on what they had seen as we passed by. You can see the main area of the museum behind us and a corner of the White House.
Soon it was time to catch our return train, but we had our cab driver take us by Lincoln's Home and Dan snapped a picture.
This is the train station in Springfield. Even though Springfield is the capitol, it is not that large, but there are many commuters going to and from the capitol, so the train station is fairly busy.
It was too chilly to wait outside for very long, so we waited in the waiting area inside.
Here comes the train!
Our train on the way back was a commuter train, so it did not have all the amenities of the cross country train we took coming out. But the trip was still very relaxing. Find a desitation and take Amtrak. It's a fun way to travel!
1 comment:
Very fun to hear about your trip! I have heard really good things about that museum. Glad you guys have had such a good trip.
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