Page One: Westbound (9 Photos--Sept. 2014)
Our 2nd Amtrak adventure in less than a year occurred between Sept. 1st and Sept. 9th, 2014. The journey began the same as the previous one, with a very early wake up and drive to Dearborn Station in Detroit, where we caught the Wolverine service to Chicago. The Southwest Chief begins in Chicago and travels to 32 stations before arriving in Los Angeles. We had gone as far as Albuquerque in April, but were now heading all the way to the west coast. Because of on-going track upgrades between Dearborn and Chicago, our local train left extra early. We were up at 4 am and out the door by 4:45 am. Though very early in the morning, one can never predict circumstances at the Detroit border crossing. However, we got across smoothly and we soon parked at the station with time to spare.
Our train arrived and departed on time, and we arrived in Chicago before 11 am. It was Labor Day, a major holiday, but our destination brew pub was open! Our first stop after checking our baggage was Haymarket Brewpub, and it was a humdinger! We now have one of the most amazing beer menus ever experienced available to us, right in downtown Chicago and an easy walk from Union Station (for more detailed info on our pub visit, see the final page of this series). The day had dawned foggy and dark, and it was raining pretty hard as we dashed through the streets towards our lunch destination. However, by the time we left the pub it was sunny! Returning to the station we came across Marianos Market, an upscale, large fresh market. We added a few things to our snack item list for the two-day train ride, including four single serving bottles of California wine.
Back at the station we retrieved our luggage from the first class lounge (one suitcase was checked through on the baggage car already) and waited to board. Our scheduled departure was 3 pm. By 2:45 pm we were snug in our tiny roomette, where we would spend much of the next 42 hours. However, by 3:15 pm we hadn't moved. About 3:30 an announcement was made: we were awaiting a crew member. No doubt it was a substitution for someone who did not show up, or who called in sick at the last minute. At any rate, we pulled out of Chicago Union Station at exactly 4 pm, as excited as two kids on their birthdays!
Our train arrived and departed on time, and we arrived in Chicago before 11 am. It was Labor Day, a major holiday, but our destination brew pub was open! Our first stop after checking our baggage was Haymarket Brewpub, and it was a humdinger! We now have one of the most amazing beer menus ever experienced available to us, right in downtown Chicago and an easy walk from Union Station (for more detailed info on our pub visit, see the final page of this series). The day had dawned foggy and dark, and it was raining pretty hard as we dashed through the streets towards our lunch destination. However, by the time we left the pub it was sunny! Returning to the station we came across Marianos Market, an upscale, large fresh market. We added a few things to our snack item list for the two-day train ride, including four single serving bottles of California wine.
Back at the station we retrieved our luggage from the first class lounge (one suitcase was checked through on the baggage car already) and waited to board. Our scheduled departure was 3 pm. By 2:45 pm we were snug in our tiny roomette, where we would spend much of the next 42 hours. However, by 3:15 pm we hadn't moved. About 3:30 an announcement was made: we were awaiting a crew member. No doubt it was a substitution for someone who did not show up, or who called in sick at the last minute. At any rate, we pulled out of Chicago Union Station at exactly 4 pm, as excited as two kids on their birthdays!
We had approximately three hours for our early afternoon Chicago adventure, before boarding the Southwest Chief for L.A. We spent much of the time at Haymarket Brewpub, a new favourite. Deb is not able to partake other than a small taste. We tried 7 different ales!
Sunset, Galesburg, IL. We are very close to crossing the Mississippi River at this point.
Fresh air stop next morning in La Junta, CO. We had time to walk the length of the train a few times while there was a change of crew. The boarding area had just been repaved. The standard train consists of two diesel engines (#79 and #157), a baggage car, three sleepers, dining car, observation car and lounge, and three coaches. It's a long walk to the back of the train. When the conductor shouts "All Aboard!" you have less than a minute to get back on the train.
Observation car view of Fisher Peak (9633') leaving Trinidad, CO. The train slowly climbs a high pass through the mountains, into a long tunnel at the top, and then down the other side into New Mexico.
The high, hazy peak in the background is Little Costilla Peak. It is over 40 miles
away, as viewed from our train. Several summers ago, Deb, Amanda L. and I
climbed the peak as the climax to a week of hiking and camping in NM. The
white mountains in front of it are the Ash Mtns, a separate range.
away, as viewed from our train. Several summers ago, Deb, Amanda L. and I
climbed the peak as the climax to a week of hiking and camping in NM. The
white mountains in front of it are the Ash Mtns, a separate range.
There are five station stops in NM on the Chief. Las Vegas is #2 if westbound. Stops are typically two to five minutes, and only passengers terminating their journeys are allowed to get off.
Forest fire in the Jemez Range, NW of Albuquerque, from the observation car.
A happy Amtrak traveller. In Albuquerque there is a lengthy stopover for a crew
change and refuelling. I wandered away from the station in search of craft beer.
I found a small Chama River taproom nearby and returned with a mini-growler
(32 oz) of fabulous IPA (more on final page).
change and refuelling. I wandered away from the station in search of craft beer.
I found a small Chama River taproom nearby and returned with a mini-growler
(32 oz) of fabulous IPA (more on final page).
Though window glare from the observation car hampers the scene, one still gets a pretty good idea of what NM skies are like. We are now west of Albuquerque.
After dinner we stayed in our car, watching twilight fall, and then darkness. The sky was pristine, and we were able to pick out many northern constellations, even through our tinted windows. We slept through most of Arizona and California, awakening next morning not far from L.A. We had time for a quick wash up, some breakfast, and then we were in downtown L.A., about to see that city and the Pacific Ocean for the first time.
To be continued...
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