Amtrak Adventure - Day 32 - St Paul, Minnesota to Chicago.

Day 32 threatened to thwart my plans to travel around the country by rail.

An email from Amtrak the evening before told of a service disruption which was delaying the train from the west coast by so many hours that the company was going to provide a coach to take passengers from St. Paul to Chicago by road. It was a sensible decision by Amtrak to ensure that at least some of the passengers bound for Chicago would get there as scheduled, but it was a huge disappointment for me.   

Amtrak Adventure - Day 31 - A Grand Old Day in St.Paul

Day 31 started at the farmer's market in downtown St. Paul with the idea that we'd pick up a few goodies for a picnic lunch. I wish I could have bought some fruit and vegetables to bring home with me. It all looked wonderful.... and huge! Who knew green onions could be so big?

And then there was the rhubarb. Masses and masses of it, for about half the price I'd pay at home, displayed in enticing piles rather than the sad little pre-packs offered by my local supermarkets. We'd stopped in at other farmer's markets on our trip but never seen anything as healthy looking as the produce on display here. 

Amtrak Adventure - Day 30 - St Paul, Minnesota

Day 30 dawned with our arrival in St. Paul, Minnesota. The stop had been planned mainly as a convenient break in the otherwise lengthy journey from West Glacier to Chicago and I had no idea what to expect, but what a delightful place it turned out to be. 

Amtrak Adventure - Day 29 - West Glacier, Montana to St Paul, Minnesota

Day 29 and we were back on the tracks again. This time headed for St Paul, Minnesota, a twenty-four hour trip. The journey took us through Glacier National Park via the Marias Pass, a route through the Rockies which was originally sought by Lewis and Clark, but finally discovered by John Stevens in 1889 with the help of a Blackfoot Indian Guide.