Train Travellers - PM 3

Well as I mentioed in my post this morning today was transit day and it turned out to be an exercise in both patience and organization.

We departed our local Metra train station here in Waukegan early this afternoon and arrived in downtown Chicago at the transportation centre about an hour and a half later. That was the patience part, we had no idea it was going to take so long. The train made so many stops on the way down it seemed like as soon as the train got up to speed it would have to slow down for another stop.

Once we arrived at the beautiful downtown Ogilvie Transportation Center it was only a quick walk to the Sears Tower. There we were herded like cattle up to the sky deck which provided a magnificient view of the region (you can see four states on a clear day apparently.) Afterwards we continued on our mission to find ourselves some CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) passes which we finally purchased at a downtown hole-in-the-wall Western Union store.

With access to public transit finally within our grasp we jumped on the nearest 'L' train and started heading towards the Navy Pier. A sort of Forks/Red River Ex/Convention Centre rolled into one. After several rounds around the Chicago loop, a dart down the red line subway and a trip with a rude bus driver we arrived at our destination.

Along the way we lost our way several times. Once we were helped by a homeless gentleman who pointed us in the right direction. We gave him $5 for his trouble meaning that we've donated money to the homeless in Chicago. Now I just hope he doesn't run off and buy smokes and beer with the money...

After all that running around we headed back on an express Metra train at 6:31 and less than an hour later we got back in Waukegan. After a brief rest we went looking for a 24hr Wal-Mart Supercenter where I used my first self checkout.

Today was quite the day and tomorrow will likely be another busy day too. Bed time!