Amtrak Snapshots From New York To Chicago

I had earlier written a similar blog on this but it was about the reverse route, Chicago-New York. (Reference: October 2013 article entitled “Amtrak Snapshots From Chicago To New York")

Although the Amtrak train traverses exactly the same route, I must say that the Chicago-New York ride allows for better views; New York-Chicago is just so-so. Timing could be the main reason. The Chicago-New York train pulls away from the Chicago’s Union Station at 9:30 PM and arrives at New York City’s Penn Station around 6 PM of the next day. Much of the trip therefore is given to enjoying the sights in New York State and by the Hudson River.    

The schedule for the other route (departing NYC at 3 PM and arriving in Chicago at 9 AM) leaves the train cutting through the scenic spots at night time. The train runs by the Hudson River in late afternoon with nothing much to see as yet but as soon as the scenic part of the river starts to unfold, darkness sets in.

At any rate, I still managed to snap some shots and learned something along the way, somehow. 

 

a few minutes after leaving New York City

 

still in New York State, a bridge over Hudson River

 

Somewhere in Albany (I think), they split the train in half;

if I remember it right, the captain said that the first half

goes to Boston and the other half proceeds to Chicago. Since  

we are left without an engine anymore, Amtrak joins another

section with more coaches, reinforced with 2 engines

to take us all the way down to Chicago. 

 

the morning after

typical sights while crossing Ohio and Indiana states;

barns and farmhouses

 

 

cornfields covering a huge expanse also dominate the

landscape of Ohio and Indiana states

country homes like these also dot the other side of the

railroad across the farms; roofs are made of asphalt

shingles, a common feature in American homes 

 

 

a house near the railway intersection at the corner

of a street named what else but Railroad Street;

 I actually like it with its simple and clean lines

Railroad Museum in the City of Elkhart, Indiana just a few

minutes prior to arrival in Chicago 

 

 

We arrived in Chicago at 9 AM for a 6-hour layover, more than enough to catch our Chicago-San Francisco ride via Amtrak's California Zephyr Superliner which departs from Chicago at 3 PM. I am currently collating the photos for my article about California Zephyr. Please watch out for it, there's so much to see. Thanks always. 

Massachusetts at a Glance

It is quite unfair to expect much from my visit to Massachusetts given that it was just a one-day side trip out of my Connecticut vacation. With too limited time spent there, I intend to go back to Boston in particular and stay for a night or two to get more acquainted with the historic sites and events of the city such as the Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre and other civil movement. Of course I can Google it but it is always best to hear about the story right from where it happened.

Here’s Cambridge and Boston at a glance.

Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts). I believe that it can be safely assumed that everybody looks up to Harvard as among the premiere universities not only in the United States but in the world as well. With lofty standards beyond the reach of many, Harvard is obviously a leading educational institution since 1636, although 25 years later than the University of Santo Tomas, the Philippines’ oldest university founded in 1611.
 

  

the library - the guide said that in terms of book 

collections, this is the third largest in the US

walking past the statue of John Harvard, an alumnus and one

of the benefactors; the other lady walking up to the statue

will touch the left foot of John Harvard for some luck;

frequent touching makes the left foot shiny

one last photo op before exiting towards Harvard Square

must be nice to stay here all day doing private reading; I bought some 

Strategy Management books for Miguel for his studies in Singapore

Boston. I don’t know why but I feel good about Boston. The moment I set foot in this cool city, I couldn’t help but think of the events and personalities that prominently figured in American history. And also, while on board one of its subway trains with mostly university students, I got the impression that Boston must be a nice place where one can study. Definitely, I ought to give Boston a repeat visit in the future. 

statue of Samuel Adams, once a Massachusetts governor 

and one of the prominent figures in Boston's history

tourists participating in some games conducted by locals

three markets too many in one square - Quincy, North and South  

some unique vehicles used in Boston tours (duck tours and trolley cars)

Old State House in front of which is Boston Massacre site

does the bar really have to be named Scholars?

When Something Old Becomes New in New York City

It’s amazing how New York City (NYC) can re-purpose its old structures and give them a fresh new look. I’ve visited three of these structures during my second trip to NYC recently and I'm glad that I did. 

Chelsea Market. This has virtually become a tourist trap but I’d rather be trapped here knowing that I could never go hungry. Travel literatures describe Chelsea Market as the birthplace of the classic snack Oreo, having been the base of operations for National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) that makes Oreo. Nabisco has long left Chelsea Market but in its wake, many food joints took over turning it into the food mecca that it is now. Choices are diverse. All that one needs to do is to loosen the strings of his/her purse to savor the scrumptious tastes and flavors.

  

Chelsea Market

 the facade can be accessed from 9th Avenue

 

inside Chelsea Market - a couple of food joints one can explore

pumpkins for halloween

The Lobster Place - the lobster bisque is a must-eat

 

beef meat pie is the bestseller here

 

for the sweet tooth - artisanal cold treats from l'arte del gelato

 

 Chelsea Market's other delightful finds

 

 

 

The High Line. An elevated railway that was a vital conduit for transporting meat products and other produce from the Meatpacking District to the factories and warehouses in the Chelsea neighborhood. But times have changed with the advent of groceries and supermarkets which altered the product distribution system. In the process, the High Line has outgrown its original use. Scheduled for demolition, conservationists rallied for its retention and conversion into an elevated public park with greenways and pocket gardens punctuated with some water element for good balance.

The High Line

can be accessed from Chelsea Market's 10th Avenue side 

 

patches of green provide a veritable urban oasis

 

for weary feet and bodies, there are benches for lounging

a dose of some public art on the High Line

mom-and-pop type of food dot certain stretches of the High Line 

 

barbecue burger on the High Line, go grab some 

meatpacking district in the background

Meatpacking District. Butchers in slaughterhouses reigned supreme in this district. The meat products were packed and transported through the High Line and into the warehouses, meat shops and stores in the area. Now gentrified, what used to be a place for butchers is already an enclave for fashionistas with the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander McQueen, Tory Burch, etc. setting up shops here. Its charming restaurants, bars and cafes have made Meatpacking District the "in" place for night outs as well.

 

 Meatpacking District

Standard Hotel above the High Line; it has a posh

bar at the top floor (cameras not allowed)

 fashion shops, bars and restaurants abound in the area
 

 hanging out at the district center with its cobblestoned streets
 

A new lease in life . . . that's what we sometimes need. One can only envy NYC in its ability and political will to give fresh new look to its old structures. Way to go.