Monday July 11 (Winona to Chicago)

Last night Ganache hopped up on the bed but right in the middle, he did not like it when I moved him along, lol. This morning at 6.15 I was woken with a heavy weight on my foot, it was Ganache! He came up after a while and we had a good cuddle, he was purring his head off. I think it took him the two days to work out who I was, lol!!

After a quick breakfast, I made my farewells to the cats, even Willow let me approach her and stroke her. Oh and Sizzle has a heart, lol, look very carefully!!

We made our way to the local Kwik Trip garage so I could buy a sandwich for lunch then on to Winona. The train had been reported variously running early then late but it arrived one minute early, lol!!

So it was time to farewell and thank Connie and Joe, I had such a great weekend!

There was a family in front and they were not very organised about putting their cases in to use space efficiently. They also wanted to put all their bags in the luggage space when one or two could have gone upstairs. Fortunately, a guy helped them out and made quite a bit of space.

I was given a window seat, but when I got there a young lad, about 12 I reckon, was in it. That was OK but I could not believe the mess that was on the floor. His mother came along and went off at me but maybe she could have at least made sure he did not make a mess! I wonder if he is like this at home?

Finally, the mother cleaned it up as best she could but there are no facilities for sweeping up a mess on the train!! They are always telling people in coach that someone may be seated beside you!! She was going on and on and I asked her to stop bad mouthing me!! I hope she has learned a wee lesson about how to travel, I must admit I have never seen a mess quite like it, lol!.

They spent most of the time away from their seats, lol!! But then Karma happened!!!

About half an hour out of Milwaukee, their stop, the boy made a few trips to collect their possessions. He left her bag, under the seat, and a water bottle. The train was pulling into the station so I figured I best take the items downstairs. I found them and gave them to her so she had to thank me, lol!!!

THEN, I wanted to use the restroom, door was open but a man was inside using the facility!! Smart about face and I heard him lock the door! LOL!

We arrived in Chicago about 15 minutes early, so my jinx is broken, lol!!! I usually go out the Adams Street entrance as my hotel is on that street. However, some unthinking person had switched both escalators to down, going up was only stairs, no with my shoulders and a large bag!!! So after asking I found the lift to Canal Street and it took me a while to orient myself, grrrrr on Union Station!

I wandered down to the Willis Tower and enjoyed a Starbucks coffee. It was very warm out, 31 C (88 F) and quite humid.Then I walked down to the hotel and checked in. I sorted a few things and then went to the (attached) Elephant and Castle Pub/Restaurant for tea.

Back to my room and I fell asleep on the bed. I woke up much later, wrote the blog, showered and went back to bed! What an eventful day!

I feel a bit down tonight, usually I enjoy a couple of nights in Chicago but guess I a missing being with friends and maybe a wee bit tired. Still not long until I see Lisa again!!