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On the train --Part 1

 I know that I haven't posted for a couple of weeks.  A few things made posting difficult. One, was that it is actually difficult to compost a post on my phone. It's time consuming and more than a little difficult. Another issue was that my camera's battery died and I hadn't brought the charger with me. My phone takes OK, not great photos. I am so used to taking photos with my camera. My camera is an extension of my brain. I had to adjust to not having that tool available.


So, enough with the excuses. Our plan was to take the train from Chicago to San Francisco. We decided that given that it was a trip for a special occasion, and also given the reality that we both get up at night to use the bathroom, that it made sense to go first class and spring for a roomette with it's own bathroom and shower.


We tend to be budget travelers and it was lovely to get first class service. You are instructed to arrive at Union Station early



It's just a beautiful space.




Inside the first class lounge







.Because we were first class passengers we got to sit in the first class lounge that had fancy coffee machines and lots of snacks for us to pack along for our trip.







When it was time to depart we were all escorted down to the track and to our car.






Our roomette was small.



We left Chicago and went past industrial landscape that felt familiar.

















Soon, the landscape reminded me of those described by Laura Ingalls Wilder in the Little House books.













We chased the sunset as the train rode west.




























We went to sleep. I woke up to see the dawn breaking from our window.






I will have to continue this account of our train travels after Shavuot and after Shabbat.



I did make this cheese and home made noodle dish---a cross between a blintz and a lasagna and our kids are bringing the rest of the meal. I still have to finish unpacking and getting things ready for this evening.








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