Lucy and Papa had a special “staycation” adventure yesterday: we took Lucy’s first Chicago El ride.
Like Grandpa Boyd and Uncle Vincie, Lucy “loves”:/news/2008/red-engine/ “trains”:/news/2006/all-aboard/, and we’ve been talking about riding one for a while. We’ve been on CTA buses, but never yet the El. And gracious me, _why not?_ It was time to do something about it.
So we biked down to our stop (Kimball), paid Papa’s fare, and took our seat at the very front of the first car. We rode only as far as Montrose, and as the true extrovert that she is, Lucy was much more interested in studying and greeting the people sharing our car than in looking out the window.
At Montrose, we descended all the stairs and reascended on the other side of the platform (Lucy taking each step herself) for the return trip. But this time, we got off at Western, in Lincoln Square, for a stop-over at the “Lincoln Quality Meat Market”:http://www.lincolnqualitymeatmarket.com/ to pick up some salami and corned beef for a picnic lunch. (And we couldn’t resist a brace of white, German-style veal bratwurst while we were at it!) And then the friendly guys at “Potbelly’s”:http://www.potbelly.com/searchresultsnew.asp?txtZip=60625 made us one of their world-class chocolate malts even though they weren’t open yet. Hooray!
Back on the station platform, we waited, and waited, and waited some more for our train. (Over half an hour, in the end.) That was less fun — though truth be told, Lucy didn’t seem to mind one bit, with so many interesting things to see, especially looking down on the Western Avenue traffic right under her feet.
We watched a southbound train come and go (which worried Lucy a little, with how loud it was).
But mostly we just had a blast. Ever since, Lucy has been asking to “pray for the trains” at nap- and bedtime. So we have been doing just that: thanking God for the wonderful trains and how they serve so many people so well, asking for skill and safety for all the people who keep them running.
We’ll look forward to the next ride!
Well, another highlight for this adventure was seeing Lucy and Roz on Sunday at our home. This allowed Lucy to swim with Moma and Pappa while Grandma watched over Roz during her nap. Oh my, Lucy did have fun in the pool and that provided many happy moments for me, too. But the BEST came a bit later, when we had returned to the house and quietly went about our somewhat normal routine. Out of the blue, Lucy said that she wanted to see the trains. Hey, it doesn’t get any better than that! A sound-equipped steam locomotive (UP #844) held her attention, along with UP # 1357 (a diesel switcher) pulling a long string of cars. When she asked to see them, I assure you that there was no way that request would be ignored. Let’s have more ‘staycation’ visits from all of you. I send you my love…
How fun! Next time you are at the library there are some rather cute “I Love Toy Trains” DvD’s. Mo loves to watch them, that and the John Deere DVD’s.
Mmmm good corned beef sounds heavenly. I’m afraid that is one thing we don’t get here in the Northwest. Sure we get corned beef, but not like what my Father-in-Law picks up on his runs to Chicago or Boston area. You all have some good stuff!
On our trip to Chicago we did the El to down town…where they train goes into a tunnel, Madelyn is quite fond of tunnels. That was a lot of fun, yet dirty and stinky. Though there is much to do at Mil. Park…like play in the fountain (in just panties@!)
Train Song is a book by … Harriet somebody? Starts with a Z, maybe? I should know this. Anyway, Evan really enjoyed checking it out from the library.
And taking the el is a great field trip! Corrie hasn’t been on the el yet, but Evan’s ridden it several times. During the winter, we would drive Daddy to an el stop and ride part of the way to Evanston with him. Very fun.
Harriet Ziefert!
John Denver’s last “album” was all train songs. We have borrowed it a few times from the library ….it rolls along quite nicely.
The El is one of our favorite things to do when in Chicago.
You will have to pardon the evangelist -intercessor in me….but I would probably be praying for the conductors and workers as well.
What a great memory.
Abby has seen trains when we’re driving out here in the burbs and she always tells me that she’s going to ride the trains when she’s older. :)
Ann
Have you ever taken her to the choo choo in Des Plains? You ride the metra (which you can get north somewhere in the city, you don’t have to go all the way downtown). This is fun since they can even ride on top. Just jump off at the DesPlaines stop and walk a block to the Choo Choo restaraunt. It’s a tiny little place but wildly popular with the pre-school set (and older!). By noon you will have to wait quite a while for a table so we like to go no later 11:00am for an early lunch. If you get a seat at the counter the train that goes around the rest. and into the kitchen will drop your food off right in front of you. I highly reccomend washing it all down with one of their delicious shakes and of course, for dessert, a cupcake with a train whistle on top which the kids will blow the whole way home, and for the next several days until you finally throw it out.
By the way…#3 is on the way. Due Feb. 15!