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We were fortunate that the first available taxi to take us from the Omni Shoreham to Washington Union Station was big enough to hold all of our luggage. It was a roundabout, fare-padding trip that also gave us a few glimpses of DC sights we didn't have a chance to see earlier before depositing us at Union Station. I was able to check our planned two bags (out of nine) by dint of putting one of the heavier items into my carry-on. We took a seat in the ClubAcela (first class lounge) for a while, and this time we asked for Red Cap service due to the weight of our gear.
( The Faster (but Less Scenic) Route )
After dinner, it got too dark to see much outside (although turning out all of the room lights helped), and Lisa made up the beds so we could get to sleep. She was initially stymied to find that the upper bunk was short a sheet, but the car attendant provided us with an extra sheet and said he would Have Words with the attendant who had worked that car to DC the previous day.
I remember waking up a couple of times at what I assume were two overnight crew change points where there are longer stops. However, when we woke up, we learned that we'd lost about an hour due to freight congestion, so it's possible one of those stops was us holding for a passing freight.
( On to Chicago )
A bit over an hour late, we worked our way in to Chicago Union Station.
( Chicago Approach )
Having confirmed that our bag count of 7 pieces of luggage (including our respective backpacks) was correct, we rolled into the station and went to baggage claim. After a relatively short wait, our checked bags arrived, the count was good at 9 bags, and we were ready to proceed.
Initially, we expected to have to wait in the Metropolitan Lounge until our hotel room at the Crowne Plaza West Loop — the same place we stayed on our way out from California — was ready. Fortunately, I got a notification that my request for an early check-in had been approved and our room was ready, so we could go on up to the taxi stand. Luck struck twice, in that the first taxi really did have enough room for us, and also it wasn't raining.
( Luck Strikes Three Times at the Crowne Plaza )
We spent most of today lazing around our suite, with me getting caught up on Worldcon and other business. I'm getting emails from people who assume that of course everyone goes directly home the morning after Worldcon ends and assuming that I'm back home. I have to keep telling people that we're only halfway through our trip, and won't be home until January 3. We got lunch from the place in Greektown that Lisa likes, and some small groceries from Walgreen's when we got the COVID test kits. Dinner was odds and ends from Whole Foods Market, along with yogurt (skyr, actually, for which I picked up a taste while in Finland and Iceland) and bagels to have for breakfast tomorrow. Hey, this sounds like it might actually be a vacation, at least some of the time!
The City of New Orleans doesn't leave Chicago until 8 PM. Sitting around the Metropolitan Lounge or the lobby of the Crowne Plaza for six hours doesn't sound appealing, so we plan to store our luggage with the hotel tomorrow and go looking for something to see or do, depending on how cold it is and how much walking we're willing to do.
( The Faster (but Less Scenic) Route )
After dinner, it got too dark to see much outside (although turning out all of the room lights helped), and Lisa made up the beds so we could get to sleep. She was initially stymied to find that the upper bunk was short a sheet, but the car attendant provided us with an extra sheet and said he would Have Words with the attendant who had worked that car to DC the previous day.
I remember waking up a couple of times at what I assume were two overnight crew change points where there are longer stops. However, when we woke up, we learned that we'd lost about an hour due to freight congestion, so it's possible one of those stops was us holding for a passing freight.
( On to Chicago )
A bit over an hour late, we worked our way in to Chicago Union Station.
( Chicago Approach )
Having confirmed that our bag count of 7 pieces of luggage (including our respective backpacks) was correct, we rolled into the station and went to baggage claim. After a relatively short wait, our checked bags arrived, the count was good at 9 bags, and we were ready to proceed.
Initially, we expected to have to wait in the Metropolitan Lounge until our hotel room at the Crowne Plaza West Loop — the same place we stayed on our way out from California — was ready. Fortunately, I got a notification that my request for an early check-in had been approved and our room was ready, so we could go on up to the taxi stand. Luck struck twice, in that the first taxi really did have enough room for us, and also it wasn't raining.
( Luck Strikes Three Times at the Crowne Plaza )
We spent most of today lazing around our suite, with me getting caught up on Worldcon and other business. I'm getting emails from people who assume that of course everyone goes directly home the morning after Worldcon ends and assuming that I'm back home. I have to keep telling people that we're only halfway through our trip, and won't be home until January 3. We got lunch from the place in Greektown that Lisa likes, and some small groceries from Walgreen's when we got the COVID test kits. Dinner was odds and ends from Whole Foods Market, along with yogurt (skyr, actually, for which I picked up a taste while in Finland and Iceland) and bagels to have for breakfast tomorrow. Hey, this sounds like it might actually be a vacation, at least some of the time!
The City of New Orleans doesn't leave Chicago until 8 PM. Sitting around the Metropolitan Lounge or the lobby of the Crowne Plaza for six hours doesn't sound appealing, so we plan to store our luggage with the hotel tomorrow and go looking for something to see or do, depending on how cold it is and how much walking we're willing to do.
