Last Adventure Before School Begins

Rich and Susan took a long weekend to visit with Sharon, Mark and Carmella. We drove our 2000 Acura TL so Mark and Sharon could buy it from us, with the idea of taking the train home. On Friday Rich and Sharon transferred the title and we walked to the nearby park. Ella loves to swing and play the fun instruments that are built into the play area.

On Saturday we rode the train into Chicago, took the bus to the Museum Loop, and visited the Shedd Aquarium. The admission was pricey, but when Susan showed them her teacher identification, she was admitted for free! Ella was fascinated by the fish…


Taking a break from the aquarium, we enjoyed the Chicago skyline and were treated to an airshow.

We took the bus back to Union Station and got a water taxi to Michigan Avenue. We walked a few blocks and met Mark after school to have dinner at the Coco Pazzo Café.

On Sunday we were blessed to share as Mark and Sharon dedicated themselves to raising Carmella Rose to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Ella wore an adorable outfit given to her by Michelle Lockwood who has been a Christian mentor for Sharon.

Later that afternoon we took the train into Union Station and caught the Amtrak train to Pittsburgh – the Capitol Limited. We had a small sleeping compartment and Rich reminisced about James Bond movies when Bond rode the train in a private compartment. Of course people could actually turn around in the room on the train Bond took… We didn’t sleep well, but we did sleep. We arrived in Pittsburgh at 5:15 a.m., walked a few blocks to find a place to get breakfast, and took the Pennsylvanian into Harrisburg.

A few years ago we visited Altoona and the famous Horseshoe Curve. This time we were on the train as it went around the curve.

The trip home was an adventure we were glad we had, but we’re not too sure we would do it again!

When we got home the garden was bursting with tomatoes and limas, as well as a huge zucchini. We miss being with family, but it’s nice to be home.