Chicago interlude

Pulling into Chicago Union Station and finding snacks in the Metropolitan Lounge.

Galesburg station

Within a month we would find ourselves inside this station. And like the song "Both Sides Now" (written by Joni Mitchell but made famous by Judy Collins) we would then be able to sing that we've "looked at Galesburg station from both sides now". (Note: the station is on the left and the building on the right is a railroad museum. We have not seen that museum from both sides).

Fort Madison Toll Bridge

Crossing the Mississippi River, west to east from Iowa, on the famous Fort Madison Toll Bridge. The shores of Illinois were full of lily pads. This bridge gets a lot of use and is owned by the freight company BNSF Railway.

Fort Madison station

The Southwest Chief's one stop in Iowa, as seen from the train.

Beyond Burger lunch

Beyond Burger lunch option, the way it looks on Amtrak. 

Kansas City mural

Currently my favorite mural in Kansas City, as seen from the train.

windmills and cattle

 Windmills and cattle in Kansas.

Heartland sunrise

Waking up somewhere in the American Heartland...

Pasta Primavera

Amtrak's version of Pasta Primavera.

New Mexican beauty

"Land of Enchantment" in action... as seen from the train.

beyond Albuquerque

As seen from the train... 

Albuquerque interlude

You know, when the train rolls into Albuquerque and they give you enough time to stroll over to Zendo Coffee for a real cappuccino. And with your leftover time you head down a few streets and take a few photos in the extreme heat and notice that high quality murals are a popular way to spruce up urban downtowns and combat urban blight.

Arizona and Navajos

As seen from the train...

 

east of Los Angeles, part 2

As seen from the train...

 

east of Los Angeles

industrial ochre

A couple more scenes of that strange world of industrial ochre as seen from the train while passing through Los Angeles.

various bridges

Various bridges crossing the L.A. River as seen from the train.