Sunday November 5 & Monday November 6 (Boston to Bryan)

Sunday/Monday

Jennifer picked me up from my hotel at 9 am and we headed into Boston for brunch. We ate at Sonsies and managed to find a park in a parking building not too far way. There was a good menu and the prices were reasonable, the front area was set up as a cafe and the rear part was a restaurant. The food was delicious and the staff were very pleasant. 

We headed to South Station via the Public Garden next to Boston Common so I could see "Make Way for Ducklings". eventually, agfter a family had taken photos of their three houng girsl siting on each ducking, I managed to get a clear view for my to seconds of photography, lol!

At the station I left Jennifer in her car while I went to find a Red Cap. The guy I found was a character and a neat fellow. He took me up to the lounge but I was only there a few minutes, before we went to th train. The baggage car was right next to my sleeper coach so my baggage was placed in there.

Then it was time for the Lake Shore train to depart for Chicago and stopping at Bryan where I was to stay with Lisa for my last week this time round.

The coach attendant was a lovely, pleasant lady and most welcoming. Once we were underway we were given lunch in the cafe, there was no dining car until Albany where they would also add extra coaches, sleeping cars along with a dining car. 

We would then be able to book dinner. the superette rooms had their own WC and a samll wash basin, very different from other trains I have travelled on.

At lunch, I sat with a couple from France. They had travelled from Marseilles to New York by container ship, taking 13 days for the crossing, wow! They were travelling to Chicago so I gave them a few tips.

We made good time as we passed through the Massachusetts countryside. We left

Springfield on time and we the countryide still displaying some beautiful fall colours (not easy to take photos, lol!). As we travelled on we met some fog over the hills and the inevitable rain.

We stopped at Albany for about an hour and a half. it was a stop where we could get out and strecth our legs. I waited for a while and then stayed out while the two trains were joined together. The other train had come through form New York. It was fascinating watching the two trains joined, especially when the guy at the join told the driver to "stretch it" a couple of times to check the coupling was all hooked up. Then it was time for dinner and the dining car was about 8 coaches removed from my sleeper, lol!

I had some sleep on and off, and woke at 6 am to find the train was late. I stayed in bed until after 7 am and then decided I better make a move, lol! The this occurred as the train was pulling out of Toledo. The train travelled relatively slowly for a long time and when we eventually reached Bryan, nearly two hours late, it was all explained by Lisa. Three freight trains had passed through ahead of us. As we passed Archbold I noticed this building that had lost most of its roof and some side panels. There was insulation and pieces of roof strewn over a wide area, this was from the La Choy Factory and it was the result of yesterday's storm in the area.

Lisa was there to meet me and we went to have breakfast in a nice cafe we have found. Then it was on to Walmart for the customary shopping, lol. 

Finally, we arrived home to be welcomed by Bruno, who did not bark at me, yay, Guido and Niko. By this time the weather was fine and sunny.

I sorted some of my gear out and then relaxed for the rest of the day. Lisa had to go to work so I had company for the night, lol!