WHAT HAS GOD WROUGHT?

Trivia time!  What is the significance of this question and to whom is it attributed (the bible does not count!)?

Throughout our journey we have been fascinated by the telegraph lines which run next to the track in the more rural areas.  Some are in great disrepair--crooked or falling down with wires snarled or missing. But we have seen others that still have lines attached to the glass insulators and look to be in working condition. Others have been repurposed as we saw in Grand Junction, CO. Those have new, thick wires running well below the top from post to post. It has been fun to see this piece of telecommunication history.

If you are still puzzling over this entry title read on: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/what-hath-god-wrought

Westward bound on the California Zephyr

The kids are brimming over with excitement over our sleepettes! They love how efficiently everything is arranged making for a cozy, practical space. They are already deciding how to split their sleeping time so they can have equal access to the top bunk.which has a.harness-like strap so the sleeper doesn't fall out of bed!  They are also on the top car and have a great vantage. They will appreciate that in the Rockies!

Union Station

One of many but this is the one in Chicago. It iwas.completed in 1925 and inxlides the famous Great Hall which has been featured in a fair number of movies.  We had access to the lounge through our sleeper reservation. Pretty fancy stuff--complimentary snacks and beverages with lots of comfortable seating.

Ohio Farmland

Good Morning from the Lakeshore Limited

Last night we slept in our coach seats. The rhythmic rocking of the train did not quite overcome the discomfort of the seats but we all managed some degree of shut eye overnight. We arose outside of Toledo and have been busy enjoying the scenery which is mostly farmland and small towns at the moment. It is a kick when we pass a train going in the opposite direction. They are so close that it feels like we could reach out and touch them. Of course we would probably lose our arms as they are going by so fast that it is just a blur.  The passenger trains are relatively short but the freight trains are quite lengthy. Last night in the dark you could tell which type we were passing just by how long it took for the sound to end.  We can hear our train horn from the front. It is surprising how often it blows.  Like Dinah!

Amtrak or bussed!

Here are the kids awaiting the train at South Station. No, wait--the bus! Unfortunately due to track service today, we had to take a bus to Albany.  Finally on the Lakeshore Limited headed to Chicago!

Gathering the gear

On a countdown to our summer adventure! We are aiming for one duffle and one backpack per person. Still missing clothes from 3 kids. This may be a biggest packing challenge yet.