#10, Layover in the Windy City

 February 15 - 16, 2024

Though I had about four hours in Chicago before I'd catch my train to Virginia, I had decided not to go out exploring.  Instead, I went straight to the Metropolitan Lounge to catch up on blogging.  They provide yummy, mostly healthy snacks for sleeper car passengers and have a coffee machine with lots of bells and whistles.  

In the last hour I got up and walked around the beautiful Great Hall.  The lounge is very nice, with all kinds of seating available, but can't compare to the grandeur of the main room.  I've done a whole blog on this station previously so won't repeat all the history, but just share a few pictures. 

The two golden figures in the photos below are Day and Night, representing travel throughout all hours. 

As I still had some time available, I got my coat, hat and gloves from the luggage room and went out for a walk around the building.  Covering one city block, the station is surrounded by tall, glassy buildings.  As I've said before, I'd never want to live in the city, but I find a short stay in it to be invigorating.  I enjoy people-watching and imagine them hustling to their place of work, wrapped up to their eyeballs against the cold wind, and then going home to their high-rise apartment in the evening.  I'm sure at least on occasion they indulge in a slice of deep dish pizza.  

Below, the massive front porch of the station

On the train to Chicago I had finished reading, "Margaret's Story", by Eugenia Price.  This, and the two previous books in the trilogy about St. Augustine, Florida had been the impetus for this trip.  Though I treasure the story, and would read it again, it was a big paperback so I didn't want to lug it any further.  The first woman I offered it to had just had eye surgery so couldn't read it.  Then, off in a corner I spotted an elderly woman reading from a real paper book.  It ended up being a perfect fit.  We chatted until it was nearly train time and were both blessed by our interaction.