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| Amtrak Illini/Saluki in Carbondale |
After almost 16 months staying home in Nashville/Franklin, TN, I took a mini trip driving to Carbondale, IL, to ride Amtrak's Illini/Saluki trains.
I left home early Sunday morning July 18 and drove to Paducah, KY, to stay overnight at Homewood Suites in my complimentary room courtesy of Hilton Honors free weekend night. I enjoyed time exploring in Paducah Sunday afternoon.
Monday morning I drove from Paducah to Carbondale, IL, stopping for lunch at a Dairy Queen along the way. I arrived early afternoon and checked into my room at Hilton's Home2Suites for two nights in time to walk across the street to the Amtrak Station to greet the arriving train from Chicago. That train then returned Chicago. After briefly settling in my room I did a walkabout in Carbondale stopping at a non-chain Pizza restaurant to pick up a delicious pizza to take to my hotel room. After eating three slices I saved the remainder to eat Tuesday night after I returned from Chicago. I was able to walk back across the street from my hotel to meet the evening train arriving early about 9:15 pm. That train equipment stays overnight in Carbondale and becomes the morning train to Chicago which I would be riding.
I easily walked across the street Tuesday morning and boarded the 7:30 am Amtrak train to Chicago. The ride was pleasant, enjoyable and on time into Chicago at 12:45 pm. While in Chicago, I took the city bus up Michigan Avenue to the Westin Michigan Ave. Hotel to check out the hotel I most likely will stay a few days when I fly to Chicago in September to ride Amtrak's Empire Builder to Seattle, WA.
After walking around the Michigan Avenue area I took the city bus back to Chicago's Union Station and checked into the Metropolitan Lounge for my return trip to Carbondale. The Amtrak Illini/Saluki departed on time 4:05 pm and arrived back in Carbondale at 9:15 pm a little ahead of schedule. I walked across the street to my hotel room and ate more of my pizza from last night. No, I did not eat all the pizza pie and had some left over.
Wednesday I slept a little late but was on the road to home by 9:30 am. I stopped in Kentucky south of Paducah at a Cracker Barrel for lunch and continued home arriving home by 3 pm. Yes, I had fun and enjoyed the trip and I'm ready to head out in 6 weeks on my September Amtrak Adventure.
Check out this photo gallery I posted to my galleries website by clicking on the photo or caption below.
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| Carbondale July 19-21 |
My Remaining 2021 Vacation Trip
Amtrak Empire Builder Trip August 31 to September 16
Flying Southwest Airlines to Chicago Midway Airport for a few days in Chicago and then traveling on Amtrak's Empire Builder in sleeper car to Seattle for a few days before returning to Chicago on Amtrak's Empire Builder and a flight on Southwest Airlines from Midway Airport to Nashville. Since I have traveled this train trip several times since 1965, I plan to just relax on board the train so not planning to take photos through the train windows. Most photos will be off the train along the way and then scenic photos in Chicago and Seattle so maybe a blog post every few days instead of daily and a big photo galleries update after I return home.
In November I am planning to drive to my Louisiana home in Shreveport/Bossier City/Benton/Haughton to spend a complete Thanksgiving week with my sisters and my Louisiana family and friends. I'm not really planning to post updates as this will be a personal family time at home.
Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV)
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
