We Catch Our First Train and Start West

On Friday morning Sally drove us to the train station in Kalamazoo.

We jumped on the 10:19 Amtrak and left Kalamazoo behind.

Our train stopped in Dowagiac, MI, the town where Bill was born almost 70 years ago!

We also had a quick stop at New Buffalo, a beautiful Lake Michigan resort town, and the town where Bill's mother started her teaching career.

Finally, before noon,  we made it to Chicago and were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by our daughter, Beth, and grandson, Iggy who had lunch with us at the huge train station.

At 2:45 PM we boarded the Empire Builder and were given a sleeper birth in the last car on the 15-car train.  This is our view a few steps to the back as we leave Illinois behind and head toward Portland, Oregon.

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