Glacier National Park (July 3-18) Part 3: Stuck in Chicago

Chicago Skyline: photo by Kara

As the Amtrak pulled into Chicago 7 hours late, those of us transferring to the Empire Builder to Seattle were instructed to walk to the Great Hall and go to the customer service table an wait for instructions from the attendants there. We were given 2 free taxi vouchers, a night's stay at the Swiss Hotel in downtown Chicago, and a ten dollar food voucher to be used in the train station. We would have to catch tomorrow's train at the same time. After waiting in line Kara, the young woman who was spearheading the phone call attempt to hold the train, was checking to see what plans the other passengers who had to stay the night were making. Another man we had met decided to get on another train that would take him to Los Angeles and then eventually to Seattle. At least another three days on the train! Mike, the Mormon accountant, had also missed his transfer to Utah. Kara decided to get a full refund, stay at an AirB&B in Chicago, and catch a flight into Seattle the following day. After checking on a few other passengers, Kara, Mike, and I decided to team up and make plans to enjoy the night in Chicago, which also happened to be the fourth of July.

The three of us piled into a taxi outside of Union Station Chicago, and took the cab to the Swiss Hotel a couple miles away. We couldn't have asked for a better location. The hotel was located right next to the River Walk, a few blocks away from one of the main areas to watch the fireworks. The hotel itself was really nice. I felt out of place with my dirty backpack amongst all of the professionals who were also spending the night there. My room was on the fourth floor, with views of the river, swimming pools, and other giant buildings. It was one of the nicest rooms I've ever stayed in. After taking a few minutes to recoup our energy, Kara, Mike and I decided to walk down to the AirB&B Kara was going to stay in which was a few blocks away and get her checked in. After all of that was done, we decided to get some Chicago style pizza at Giordano's before going to see fireworks.

Giordano's was jam packed with people. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table. When we were seated at our table, we were told our pizza was going to take an hour. I was afraid we were wasting our time and the food probably wasn't going to be that good due to the volume of people there. Boy was I wrong! THE BEST PIZZA EVER!!! Kara, Mike and I feasted on a deep dish pizza. Each slice probably weighed about a pound. I could only eat two slices.

After eating pizza, Kara, Mike and I walked over to the river and began looking for a place to watch the fireworks. Obviously, there was a festive atmosphere as the River Walk filled in with people. We found a spot right along the harbor. Fireworks began a little after 9:00pm, and ended 20 minutes later or so. The real fireworks didn't begin until afterward. Just as the grand finally came to an end, a severe thunderstorm blew in off the lake. Thunder, lightning, and heavy rain began falling seconds after the last firework exploded. Everyone became drenched from rain, kids and adults screaming as we all left the River Walk in a mass exodus. The scene was surreal as many sought shelter under Chicago's streets, tunnels, and caverns, as water falls poured water below from the city world above. It was a 4th of July to remember. Kara, Mike, and I didn't have far to go to our hotel so we were able to enjoy the chaotic scene. We entered the hotel lobby drenched, while a steady stream of soaked tourists followed behind for the next hour or so. Everyone seemed happy.

The following day was the 5th of July. Kara, Mike and I still had a whole day to fill, as our trains were not scheduled to leave until later in the afternoon. Kara's flight wasn't until later as well. We decided to check out Chicago's River on one of the tour boats. It was a great morning to see the city from the river. Sunny, hot and humid, but a nice breeze blowing off the water. After the tour, we walked down to the "silver bean" in Millennium Park and took a few photos there. By the time all of this was done, it was time to check out of the hotel and head back to the train station. The three of us jumped into a cab and spent our lunch voucher on some train station Chinese food. Before we new it, it was time to say goodbye and go our separate ways.

By 6:00pm, I was back on the train. A heavy rain was falling in the city. We had done our sight seeing just in time. It had been a great 24 hours in Chicago. Slowly the train pulled out of the station and began heading west. I was scheduled to arrive in East Glacier around 4:00pm the following day...