I got up this morning, packed up my day bag, and set out to photograph Lake Forest. After a quick stop to the university mailroom I wandered around campus looking for good shots, but I found trouble finding pictures I liked. So I set off through the town filled with big houses and nice cars. I soon found myself again heading towards the water. The air was crisp, clean, and cold. I could hear the beach before I saw it, the sounds of the waves crashing into the shore. I took a brief walk down the shore, played in the sand, and took plenty of pictures. Unfortunately there was a smudge on my lens for the entire duration I was on the beach, so all of those pictures are plagued with a small blurry spot. I sat on a hillside overlooking the shore, reviewing the pictures on my laptop, recalling my day so far. I got lost in the moment on the beach and suddenly realized that I had to catch my train to Chicago in 15 minutes over a mile into town.
I contemplated running, but then I remembered my conversations with Roger before leaving “if you miss a train, so what? You have no plans, no where to be, there’s no wedding you have to make it to by Saturday.” He was talking about Amtrak, but the same concept applied for the Metra train in my head. So I packed up and took my time walking across town. It’s nice not having a timetable to live by. In typical train fashion the Metra was late, so I ended up having plenty of time to spare, I’m glad I didn’t run.
An hour train ride seems pretty long, but compared to the length of some of my other rides it’s nothing. I found it as a good opportunity to look over the pictures I took in Lake Forrest and to pick out and edit the ones I put up on Flickr. I got into Chicago, pulled out my camera, picked a direction, and started trekking through the city. I was looking for a used bookstore to purchase some books I could leave wherever it was that I finished them at, but I got distracted by the delectable offer of free wi-fi at Borders. So I stepped into the familiar bookstore and found a window to post up next to. I checked Facebook, uploaded pictures, and reviewed my blog; time flew right by. I looked out the window and came to the realization that the sun was about to set, so I put my computer on hold and went off to capture some more pictures before I lost sunlight.
I set out walking, knowing perfectly well that I wasn’t very sure where I was, but I soon found myself back at the wonderful Millennium Park. I hung around the bean for at least a half hour while the sun disappeared behind the city taking pictures of people, and experimenting with different techniques.
The light was gone, I was getting tired, and I had only a faint idea how to get back to the Metra station. So I took off from Millennium Park in that direction. And after grabbing some well needed Starbucks, I found my way to the station, bought my ticket and wondered where my train was. My train was not there. It said 6:31 PM. I bought my ticket at 6 and it was now 6:45. “Well.. I’m only an hour away from Lake Forrest” I thought to myself “I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine.” Pacing up and down the lower concourse convincing myself I’d be fine, an intimidating looking Metra worker in a green blazer comes up to me, holding a big metal chain “Closing!” he yells for all to hear, “closing!” Panic sets in. I headed up to the tracks and went to talk to the ticket agent, I told her my dilemma, but she simply gave me a funny look and said that the train leaves at 7:35. A great relief indeed, but I’m still confused why the time table says 6:31, I have it in my bag right now, it says 6:31. Some things will always remain mysteries I guess.
The platform where my train was "supposed" to be
The train should arrive in Lake Forest in about 10 minutes now. I’ll be off to Phil’s for my last night in Lake Forest and then off to Minneapolis at 2PM tomorrow.
Is it possible that the timetable/ticket error was due to the end of Daylight Savings Time? Or perhaps it was somehow reflective of the time zone difference between Toledo and Chicago? Just some suggestions.
“found a window to post up next to” haha Dude these are great/funny. “I have it in my bag right now, it says 6:31″ haha Bro your taking some amazing pictures. I love that girl standing at the train station its deep. Glad to see that your doing so good, dont lose that sense of humor, and stay safe. Talk to you later little bro.
Hey, now, I think that I said, “if the train is late…” Please don’t miss the train! But seriously, aren’t you glad you didn’t rush to catch the Metra? With commuter rail, there’s likely to be another one coming anway. With my luck, though, that Metra would have just been pulling out of the station when I walked in.
You’ve got some great photos, I really like the night photos from Millennium Park. This one with the pigeons is great too.
In my travels, I’ve had my share of panic moments, but it sounds like to heeded well the advice from one of Rollie’s and my favorite books: “Don’t Panic!”
On to Minneapolis you doth now go!
And, oh yeah, if (if?, ha, when) you have the joy of being on a late Amtrak long distance train, you will most likely overhear or talk with someone who really was planning on being at an event that night. And now they will miss it. You don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
your pictures are FANTASTIC!!
It sounds like you’re having interesting experiences already and it’s only the beginning!!
I admire the time and effort you put into your blog. I wish I had the same drive
I didn’t get a chance to tell you what a great job you did in the play last weekend, Elliot. Congratulations. Now you are off on an amazing adventure. Life is good. Your photos are great and your blog entries are really thoughtful. I’m looking forward to following your journey.
I am really enjoying your blog – great pictures and wonderful writing. I feel so lucky to be able to read about your trip as you are creating your own memories on this wonderful adventure.