The train didn’t leave until 2:15pm so I had some time to spend/kill. Went to the Federal Reserve Bank Museum. Our tax dollars at work.
Then it was back on the train. This one was much bigger. More people, bigger cars, more stuff.
Notes that I made on the iPod as I rolled along on The Empire Builder.
23.July.2012
1135. About two hours before I need to be at the station. Went to the Federal Reserve Bank museum. Very nice. Also free. Plan was to get some cash and maybe do a boat ride. But I discovered this fine little park. With comfy chairs. I may stay here.
1400. on the train. Surrounded by Plain People. Mennonites I guess but they don’t speak English at least not among themselves.
1414. we are rolling. The Mennonite lady across the isle from me got a horseshoe out of her bag!!!So much for my nice window seat. They decided to move me to another car. Shit. Complained to early. Got a window, after all.
1600. Milwaukee smoke stop. Also potty break. Always go potty when the train stops. Getting new passengers. But no seatmate for me yet. Person just came running down the aisle-yelling stop the train. Seems that he was a visitor. Not a passenger. And the train took off with him on board.
1620. Announcement “checks your lower level doors. We have one open.”
1645. Getting a seatmate Oh well. It was good while it lasted. Cloudy. Rain on the way.
1700. Columbus Wisconsin. And this is where a seatmate arrives. The seatmate will be going to Glacier too. Hope I get a good one.
1735. Going thru a wetland. Saw purple loosestrife. An attractive noxious weed.
1755. Just leaving Portage Wisconsin. Seatmate is fine. She is leaving in Minneapolis.
Called Carlton.
1845. Wisconsin Dells. Had coffee and bread from lunch for dinner. Sign says Kelsey’s Annual Corn Boil. 2nd Sat. in August. Sorry miss it. Sitting here blocking traffic. Moving now. Hey the Plain Men smoke pipes.
1900. Just passed US Army Ft. McCoy.
1925. La Crosse Wisconsin. It never rained. Soon we will be in Minnesota.
1947. Welcome to Minnesota sign.
2021. Winona Minnesota. Smoke and potty.
2136. Redwing Minnesota. We stopped to let a freight train pass a while back.
Dark now.
2200. Will be in Minneapolis in 45 minutes for a last smoke and potty break.
2350. Leaving Minneapolis. New seatmate. Going to sleep now.