Minneapolis-St. Paul

Minneapolis-St. Paul is a refueling point so we had a little time to get off the train and stretch our legs. Unfortunately, it was nighttime so I didn't have too many opportunities to take pictures.

This is one of the old train cars sitting at the station.

And another car.

This is the front part of the Empire Builder.

This is looking back at the Empire Builder. In Spokane, part of it goes on to Seattle and the other part goes on to Seattle, so the train gets a bit shorter after that point.

I will post more pictures later.

On the Empire Builder - Part 1

Here are some pictures from the first part of the Empire Builder Leg. These are between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul. There were some nice things to see but for the most part it reminded me of Michigan.

Leaving Union Station. Not sure what the buildings are but it makes for an interesting picture.

Looking down the Chicago River from the train.

Another shot from about the same spot.

Milwaukee. Unfortunately it was really foggy around Milwaukee so I couldn't get too many other shots of it. However, this is probably the most iconic imagine of Milwaukee - The Miller brewery.

The train station at the Wisconsin Dells.

Some of the touristy buildings of the Wisconsin Dells.

For some reason, it wouldn't be Wisconsin without a picture of a farm.

The Mississippi River at LaCrosse Wisconsin. This is the first time I've really seen the Mississippi (that I can remember, I might have seen it when I was little). And I'll have to admit it is a pretty impressive looking River.

Another shot of the Mississippi. This is somewhere in Minnesota.

The train station in Winona Minnesota. One of the nice things about the Empire Builder is that it follows alot of history. Many parts of it were built on areas that Lewis and Clark Explored. Also, it follows along many of the same routes that settlers would have used.

Sunset over the Mississippi.

In Chicago

I had a little time to kill in Chicago, so I decided to wander around a little bit and take some pictures. It was a kind of muggy day and I didn't have alot of time so I didn't wander too far. Anyways, the station is not too far from the Sears (can't call it Willis) Tower, so I got a couple pictures of that.

Looking up at the Sears Tower.

Looking down one of the streets.

The Blackhawks were in the Conference Champions (they ended up winning), so parts of the city were decorated for them.

Not sure who did this statue but it looks pretty cool.

The Blackhawks' colors.

one of the statues at the Cook County building.

A closeup of his face.

Another statue.

And a closeup of his face.

The Cook County seal.

Looking down another street. From the Cook County building, I think.

Looking up at the Sears Tower again. It was a cloudy day, so makes for a pretty striking picture.

Another shot of the Sears Tower with a Chicago flag in the foreground.

The globe in front of the Sears Tower.

Looking down the Chicago River.

On the Way Between Ann Arbor and Chicago

Some pictures on the way between Ann Arbor and Chicago. I did part of the trip before as a planning exercise for my big trip. Anyways, here are some pictures.

A barn.

Battle Creek is the home of Kellogg's and here is one of their most recognizable icons.

One of the buildings in Battle Creek.


The train station in Kalmazoo. I apologize a bit as the windows weren't very clean.

Heading into Chicago.

Another shot as I was heading into Chicago.

At the Ann Arbor Train Station

A while ago, a friend of mine took the train from St. Louis back to Michigan and she said she was talking to the conductor who mentioned the train from San Francisco to Denver has one of the most beautiful views on trains that you can get. I did a little research and found out about a couple other train routes. One of those train routes is the Empire Builder which goes from Chicago to Seattle. Another one is the
Coast Starlight which goes from Seattle down to Los Angeles (or San Diego). The one mentioned above is the California Zephyr which goes from Chicago to San Francisco.

So after looking at pictures from them, I decided to take a train trip from all three. But I had to start somewhere, so my start is the Ann Arbor train station.

The Ticket Counter.

Just so you know where you are.

This is the train that will take me to Chicago.

Greetings from the Empire Builder

I am writing this to you from the Empire Builder. I just left Chicago and I am on my way to Seattle. I hope to get some pictures on the way and I will post th here when I get to Seattle. So far this seems pretty cool as I get a feel id history on this route.

The Bell Tower in May

I'm actually happier with my shots of the Bell Tower. Although I didn't get my normal looking up shot.





I really like this shot. Again the fog on my lens kind of gives it the fog shrouded effect.