Leg 3—Branson to Chicago: April 27, 2006

Bob drives the PT Cruiser from Branson to St. Louis where we catch the Ann Rutledge to Chicago.

Branson to St. Louis: Bob drives the car from Branson to St. Louis leaving Branson and going through Springfield, Lebanon, Rolla, Sullivan, Kirkwood and arriving in St. Louis about three and one-half hours later. We return the car to Avis in St. Louis and catch a taxi to the Amtrak station. We have plenty of time so we have lunch at the Sheridan's Cove Bar. I take a few pictures of downtown St. Louis and the Savvis Center, the home of the St. Louis Blues. The building is also home to Saint Louis University Billikens basketball, St. Louis Steamers indoor soccer and RiverCity Rage indoor football. In addition, Savvis Center plays host to a wide variety of other sporting events, ice shows, concerts and family shows.

St. Louis to Chicago: Amtrak’s Train 324, Ann Rutledge, begins in St. Louis on Thursday, April 27 at 3:10 p.m. and arrives at Chicago’s Union Station on the same day at 8:45 p.m., going through St. Louis in Missouri; and in Illinois, Alton, Carlinville, Springfield, Lincoln, Normal, Pontiac, Dwight, Joliet, Summit and Chicago.

The Ann Rutledge is a 567-mile passenger train service operated by Amtrak running between Chicago, Illinois and Kansas City, Missouri. It operates as part of the Illinois Service and Missouri Service train networks. The train service uses the same track as three other Amtrak routes, the State House, the Kansas City Mule and the Texas Eagle.

The train was named for Ann Rutledge, a woman from New Salem, Illinois who may have been the first love of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.

Last year, Bob and I stayed at the Travelodge in downtown Chicago, using our AAA cards for discounted rates. We like the hotel because of its proximity to the center of the town’s many activities and because of its laundry facilities. First things first: we wash clothes. We are hungry so we return to the South Loop Club, which was recommended to us last year by the Travelodge desk clerk. We like the food and can get a Stella Artois.

When planning this trip I wanted to see Wrigley Field, the second oldest ballpark in the major leagues. The Chicago Cubs seldom give tours and the Milwaukee Brewers happen to be playing the Cubs in a day game, so I bought my ticket through the Internet before Bob decided he was going on the trip. He wanted to go too, so we purchase his ticket online close to my section of seats. Our seats are in the Upper Deck next to the press box, my seat is on one side of the press box and Bob’s seat is on the other side.

We arrive early at Wrigley Field so that we can tour the field ourselves. We walk several ramps to the top level where our seats are located. I am hungry, so I get a Chicago Cubs Hot Dog, and Bob orders coffee, which isn’t ready yet. It is chilly. The ushers are very friendly, showing us our seats. After we tour the park, we go to our seats. My seat is easy to find. One of the ushers follows Bob, who is using a cane. He says, “I think you better find your friend and come with me.” The usher seats us in the handicap section behind home plate beneath the press box. The seats were fabulous. Bob finally gets his coffee just before the game starts.

Wrigley Field is the site of Babe Ruth’s “called shot,” where he pointed to a bleacher location during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. He then hit the next pitch for a homer. To honor Babe Ruth, the Cubs presents Babe Ruth’s wife and her son with a Babe Ruth framed jersey in a ceremony before the game.

Even more interesting, Greg Maddux is pitching. The Cubs win 6-2. The game is fun to watch, but it is too cold for us, so we head back to the hotel on Chicago’s Transit Authority’s red line train.

We still have a few hours before my train leaves at 7:55 p.m. We go for refreshments at the Conrad Hilton’s Kitty O’Shea Irish Pub across from Grant Park and Lake Michigan. The pub features Irish food, drinks, and entertainment and uses an Irish wait staff.

Bob and I separate in Chicago. I catch a cab and wait for my train to Boston. Bob stays another night in the hotel before catching a flight back to Phoenix.

Chicago is a beautiful town this time of year with the tulips blooming everywhere. Being from Arizona, I want to see rain but no luck.