Posted March 19, 201213 yr Toward the end of the "Winter That Wasn't" I spent two days in Chicago, March 15-16, on business. But I know if word got out here that I visited and didn't take any pictures, there would be hell to pay. So here are some photos of my travels. My trip actually started on the #55 RTA bus on Clifton from Lakewood. But the bus trip is so routine and the bus was too crowded during the morning rush to get any decent photos. The #55 stops at the Megabus "station" on West 3rd Street in downtown Cleveland. I walked the length of a Megabus to get to its front door. Since I didn't take any pictures at Cleveland, I will borrow one from my friend, Markymark48, who lives in Chicago and rode it back to Chi-town last month... We departed Cleveland on-time at 8:15 a.m. All 81 seats were sold out on my double-deck bus. I sat on the lower level. About 90 percent of those on board were younger than 50 and probably 75% were younger than 30, and most were "wired"... After picking up some hotties in Toledo, we were on our way again. That was until we paused at a rest area alongside the Indiana Toll Road for a meal and pitstop.... Approaching Chicago... I arrived Chicago and was greeted by Markymark48 and by another friend who was hanging out downtown during an 8-hour layover between O'Hare flights. We had a late lunch on the plaza between the Chicago River and Union Station, where Megabus arrives, and enjoyed all sorts of scenery on this 80-degree day... Later, after MarkyMark48, left for his second job of the day, my O'Hare friend and I met with another friend, this one from Amtrak who stopped by to visit and chat. We were then joined by two friends, also from All Aboard Ohio, who arrived Chicago from Columbus. They also took Megabus. We went out for dinner at the Italian Village restaurant with the director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and a regional director of Siemens Corp. Afterwards we walked to our hotel up State Street. Many people were out strolling in the mild summer, er spring, er winter air. My phone camera's lens was dirty but it created an interesting effect... Several of us stayed at the Club Quarters Hotel on Wacker Drive. Our 31st-floor room faced the river giving us fantastic views... Just after dawn the next morning, the views were almost as good, but still very pretty.... OK, how many trains can you see in this picture? I count three.... Our destination is barely visible in this view from our hotel room. The domed top of the Jewelers Building is visible above the crappy-looking roof of Hotel 71.... The lobby of the Jewelers Building at least as pretty than its domed top.... The views from her weren't too shabby either! Trump Tower -- big, outspoken, high-priced and lacking in style -- just like its namesake.... The evil twins of the Marina Towers. Remember the Steve McQueen chase scene from "The Hunter" that involved one of these twin buildings? Michigan Avenue's architectural beauties, including the Tribune Tower.... Das boats.... After a day of meetings, now I'm off to the Blue Line El/subway to head to the Halsted Street stop in Greektown to unwind with friends and associates.... After dining at The Parthenon, we stroll over to Union Station which is only four blocks east. There, MarkyMark48 greet me and my friends from Columbus. One is riding back with me on Amtrak to Cleveland and then to Columbus on Greyhound. The other is taking the overnight Megabus to Columbus via Cincinnati. Sad that either trip from Chicago to Columbus requires going first to one of Ohio's other 3C's. Anyway, we're hamming it up in the beautiful 1925-built Great Hall of Union Station. Sadly the other half of the station looks more like an airport.... Walking to my train, Amtrak #48 The Lake Shore Limited, bound for New York City and Boston via Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo and many other cities and towns. It departs Chicago nightly at 9:30 p.m. So Jack and I head for our two-bunk roomette and then to the dining car for their pre-departure wine and cheese hour. Neither of us drinks alcohol, so it's soft drinks and cheese instead.... It's just "a little" nicer than Megabus :-P but the sleeper is also "a little" more expensive. However coach on Amtrak is only $8 more than Megabus. Jack fell asleep in his bunk immediately. It took me a while longer as I was too busy noting things that had changed since the last time I rode. It was nice leaving Chicago at night and arriving Cleveland at dawn, something I will miss when the schedule is changed in less than a year. We departed Chicago right on the dot at 9:30 p.m. and arrived Cleveland about 5 minutes early. Since I did not take pictures at our arrival in Cleveland, here are some pictures I took of the Lake Shore arriving Cleveland last winter. Wait, it's still winter? No way.... Thanks for traveling with me! I hope you enjoyed the short trip! :wave: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 19, 201213 yr Nice photos. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 19, 201213 yr I personally am a fan of the Trump Tower. While its streetlevel presence is not great I love how the clear blue windows reflect the sunlight. Also are there tables on the Megabus!? If that is so megabus is a million times better than Greyhound. Ohh how I wish there was a route between Cleveland and Columbus.
March 19, 201213 yr I personally am a fan of the Trump Tower. While its streetlevel presence is not great I love how the clear blue windows reflect the sunlight. Also are there tables on the Megabus!? If that is so megabus is a million times better than Greyhound. Ohh how I wish there was a route between Cleveland and Columbus. Yes, there are two booths with tables. Each booth seats four. While Megabus doesn't serve Cleveland-Columbus, Bolt will.... Low-fare Greyhound line to run from here By Steve Wartenberg The Columbus Dispatch Saturday March 17, 2012 5:49 AM Budget-conscious central Ohio travelers now have more options if they’re willing to take the bus. Greyhound Express has added Columbus to its expanding network of cities, with direct service to Atlanta; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Louisville, Ky.; and Nashville, Tenn. This new, premium service begins on March 28. The new Greyhound Express premium service provides amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, leather seats, reserved seating and extra legroom. READ MORE AT: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/03/17/low-fare-greyhound-line-to-run-from-here.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 19, 201213 yr I visit Chicago pretty frequently, used to live there & know all those landmarks well. Looks like you had a spectacular trip. I have never taken the Amtrak train, but did pick up my aunt in the terminal when she came in from Dearborn Michigan on the train. For whatever reason, it just doesn't add up for me to take the train. If I'm going with my wife, we can drive together for about $150 in gas & tolls. If I'm going solo, I'll opt for a cheap flight ticket on Southwest.
March 19, 201213 yr It costs too much to fly anymore, and my car goes through a tank of gas every 350 miles (the distance for Chicago-Cleveland). Last week I filled up for $62, and that doesn't count wear-and-tear which is most of the cost of driving. Since this was a business trip, it would have cost my employer the IRS mileage rate to reimburse me if I drove. That's $385 round trip which doesn't include parking in downtown Chicago. If I took Southwest, it would have cost my employer $247 round trip. The bus/train combo was $95. And any money I can save for my employer frees up more money to pay me. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
Create an account or sign in to comment