Take the Lake Shore Train

If you haven't traveled by train in awhile, I recommend an adventure. It's far different than air travel. No showing up two hours in advance, spewing the guts of your personal belongings before probing machines and eyes, no winding your way through endless lines to prove that you are not a threat to national security. You can take 5 - count them, 5! - bags on board, and the seats are so spacious and comfy that sleep is almost a requirement. If you tire of sitting, you can wander the aisles, taking in the view from the observation car, snacking in the club car, eating a full course meal in the dining car. Bathrooms at the back of every rocking passenger car and then some.

I checked in an hour early, having given myself time to deal with the freezing rain mess on the roads (where the heck are the salt trucks?). At the other end of the row was a four generation family - mother, son, granddaughter, and great grandbaby. The baby was less than a year old, charming and smiling at other passengers, gaining their attention and their hearts all with a grin. Soon the train (amazingly on time) was announced, and we headed for the platform. The Grandfather carried the baby, scooping her up without her coat or blanket and heading outside. Almost with one voice, the passengers, new guardians of the little tyke, yelled in protest. "Get that baby back inside! Are you crazy? What are you thinking? Poor little thing!"

At which the mother rushed out and quickly wrestled the wriggling child into coat, hat, blankie. How interesting that the entire adult population felt it their sworn duty to protect the little girl, even if it was just from thoughtlessness. Does the heart good to know there is caring in the world.

At last the final passenger disembarked and we were boarded. First families and elderly and handicapped, then couples, and finally us straggling loners. Turned out to be wonderful since they settled us into a double seat by ourselves. We got a whole futon's worth of space to spread out in and snooze as we clacked our way west. It takes awhile to get your train legs so to speak. Lurching down the aisle to the bathroom is something of an art form, but you get the hang of it soon.

My mind was whirling almost as fast as the train wheels. It took awhile to settle down even though they turned the day lights out, leaving us in just enough soft muted light to find the bathroom. Somewhere between praying for Mom and praying for Mark, I must have drifted off. When I awoke, it was 5am! Not a bad way to travel, really. Get there while you sleep. Multi-task to the max!