September 23rd--October 3rd, 2008
"It won't be here before 10:00," was the Denver stationmaster's estimate, as we wrestled our two large suitcases onto the scale for the last time. We were getting used to the reality that the California Zephyr apparently never runs on time. The schedule called for the train to arrive in Denver at 7:43 p.m.
One last serendipity came our way, however, in the hospitality of the Oxford Hotel, the place we had stayed the night the train deposited us in Denver. Amazingly, the hotel was but half a block from the station. Not only did they let us await our train in their lobby, but they brought us a complimentary cheese and fruit plate, as well as soft drinks, to hold us over during the evening.
When we finally made our way aboard, we realized that passengers continuing on were mostly settled-in for the night. It's amazing the multitude of creative ways people find to twist and turn to get in position for a little shut-eye. You could spot the pros pretty easily. Judy was able to succeed better at getting some sleep than was I.
After but a short time in our coach, I made my way to the Sightseer Car. There were just a few passengers there, which allowed me to secure one of the sought-after-tables. This would be our "pad" for the duration of the journey. As morning dawned, the spectacular scenery of the mountain ranges of previous days was replaced by the endless expanse of the Nebraska and Iowa prairies
. One special sight, however, was watching the Zephyr gobble up the tracks crossing the Mighty Mississippi River. The east to west crossing on The Empire Builder on our way out was in the dark.
. One special sight, however, was watching the Zephyr gobble up the tracks crossing the Mighty Mississippi River. The east to west crossing on The Empire Builder on our way out was in the dark.A final scene before nightfall was a spectacular sunset we witnessed from the lounge car--a lasting memory. 
We had traveled over 5400 miles on the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr, all the way from Chicago to Glacier National Park, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, the Colorado Rockies and back. Our experience on the various trains going and coming leads us to say that there are certainly more pluses than minuses to rail travel, despite the delays. It had been 37 years since we last traveled across America by train. Now we know we shouldn't have waited this long.
We had traveled over 5400 miles on the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr, all the way from Chicago to Glacier National Park, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, the Colorado Rockies and back. Our experience on the various trains going and coming leads us to say that there are certainly more pluses than minuses to rail travel, despite the delays. It had been 37 years since we last traveled across America by train. Now we know we shouldn't have waited this long.
By the time we arrived in Chicago, we were six hours behind, too late for Bonnie to be able to pick us up, so we found the taxi stand and were soon on our way to Central Park Ave. We were more than ready for a good night's sleep, but morning came quickly. We found that Bonnie needed for us to drive Dugan and Sage to school because she had a meeting to attend. Dug is out of state on a National Geographic assignment. Since the day was warm and delightful, we treated Bonnie to lunch at a restaurant with an outdoor courtyard.
After school Judy walked with Bonnie and the kids to Dugan's gymnastics class, and later went with Bonnie and Sage to Sage's swimming lesson. It was quite fun to be a part of the children's activities. Living far away, we don't often get to see what their daily life is like. 
After one day in Chicago, we packed up our two grandchildren to bring them home with us to spend the first week of their fall break. This is the first time they had spent this much time away from home. We didn't know how it would work, but we hoped for the week to be a fantastic and memorable one, and it was!
After one day in Chicago, we packed up our two grandchildren to bring them home with us to spend the first week of their fall break. This is the first time they had spent this much time away from home. We didn't know how it would work, but we hoped for the week to be a fantastic and memorable one, and it was!
Highlights of their time with us included walking in a creek to find fossils at a nature center; 
visiting the historical 1795 Miller Leuser Log House;
riding in and actually being allowed to pilot a 35 passenger Duck 
Boat on the Ohio River;
Boat on the Ohio River;
baking and cooking with Judy;
using their imaginations at an indoor playground;
playing games with both Dick and Judy;
making clay creations;
toasting marshmallows; 
Bonnie had driven down to 
Cincinnati on Thursday, and she took Dugan and Sage back home on Friday, October 3rd, exactly one month from the date when we drove to Chicago to begin our Great Western Adventure!
Cincinnati on Thursday, and she took Dugan and Sage back home on Friday, October 3rd, exactly one month from the date when we drove to Chicago to begin our Great Western Adventure! All is quiet around our house now, but the memories for each of us will last a lifetime!
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