I’m finally on my awaited trip to Glenwood Springs, Colorado - was there before and enjoyed the hot springs pool, and the scenery on the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs was amazing. The last time, I flew in to Denver from San Diego and took the Zephyr there - this time I’ll be taking the Zephyr in a sleeper (plus the Wolverine) both ways. Considered flying to/from Denver (or SLC to see a new part of the route), but the need for a hotel there both ways (and the possibility of having to pay a change fee to reschedule flights if UP closed the route for track work), meant that taking a sleeper both ways wasn’t much more expensive and gave me more flexibility. I actually considered rescheduling the trip at the last minute - not due to UP track work, but because a few days seem like they’ll be cold (highs around 50) with potential rain/snow. Ended up keeping it as-is - think I may take a day trip using the RFTA bus service to Aspen or somewhere else if the weather isn’t great for using the pool (the bus service there is amazingly good given the population). As it stands, I’ll be getting to Glenwood Springs on Sunday on the Zephyr and taking it back on Friday.
Anyway, I started my trip on the Wolverine (#351), taking it from Ann Arbor to the end of the line in Chicago where I change to the Zephyr. I got to the station about 10min before it was supposed to depart - Uber/Lyft drivers seemed in short supply (likely due to the holiday weekend and most students not in town for summer), so it took a bit longer than expected. Once I got there, I heard there was about a 20min delay for an issue in Dearborn, and then shortly after that heard the train was stopped for a medical emergency. Ultimately, it arrived about an hour later than schedule - which shouldn’t jeopardize my connection, but may make it tight to leave Union Station for lunch (I had wanted to grab deep dish). Found a seat in Business Class, and we were finally on our way. I will say that the trek along the Huron River might be my favorite scenery on the Wolverine route (though I also like the approach into Chicago, with all the trains and tracks). I will probably be back on this route a few times this summer - thinking of taking a long weekend around July 4, and was looking at going to a concert in the Chicago suburbs (which would involve a connection to Metra. Since getting on, the ride has been fairly uneventful - we’re closing in on Kalamazoo now, and that will be our last stop until Chicago.
Anyway, I started my trip on the Wolverine (#351), taking it from Ann Arbor to the end of the line in Chicago where I change to the Zephyr. I got to the station about 10min before it was supposed to depart - Uber/Lyft drivers seemed in short supply (likely due to the holiday weekend and most students not in town for summer), so it took a bit longer than expected. Once I got there, I heard there was about a 20min delay for an issue in Dearborn, and then shortly after that heard the train was stopped for a medical emergency. Ultimately, it arrived about an hour later than schedule - which shouldn’t jeopardize my connection, but may make it tight to leave Union Station for lunch (I had wanted to grab deep dish). Found a seat in Business Class, and we were finally on our way. I will say that the trek along the Huron River might be my favorite scenery on the Wolverine route (though I also like the approach into Chicago, with all the trains and tracks). I will probably be back on this route a few times this summer - thinking of taking a long weekend around July 4, and was looking at going to a concert in the Chicago suburbs (which would involve a connection to Metra. Since getting on, the ride has been fairly uneventful - we’re closing in on Kalamazoo now, and that will be our last stop until Chicago.