I spent the week visiting family in Chicago and St. Louis this week and took the Amtrak for both. Had an amazing time and highly recommended taking Amtrak for shorter vacations if it is available to you.

I had a long wait between my trains yesterday so my English uncle wanted to watch the Ireland/All Blacks game while we were in Chicago. I ended up getting to Union Station about 5 minutes before my train left and sprinted to the platform, making it just in time. I was an absolute wreck and he offered me the seat next to him and gave me some ginger ale and gum when we all thought i was going to the bathroom for a stress puke. Nick wasn’t actually his name, but he and his family were so kind to me last night that i just wanted to voice my appreciation.