Jorge was somewhat upset that the Gardens were chosen over the train Museum but once there they had fun clambering over rocks.

 

Scrambling through the undergrowth.  
A contemplative Dave in the Japanese garden. 

A Chiully glass sculpture more vibrant than the flowers themselves.

 

The hotel in Denver is in the station; therefore not far to walk. Stuart is going to be told-off for bouncing on the beds!

 This is our hotel… in miniature form. 

 
We stopped in at Walgreens to buy some bite cream after getting bitten in the forest and Stuart just happened to find gelato.

 

M-eye-double S-eye-double S-eye-double P-eye.

We cross the Mississippi a couple of hours after leaving Chicago. It’s a big river, the bridge goes on and on and on. 

Another train that’s come up the Mississippi.

  

The fields go on and on and on…  

…and they’re still going on when the sun rises the next morning.  

Trains in the yard at Denver.  

Into the hotel and a giant bed for Stuart to bounce on. 

The rain has stopped so it’s off to play. 

The woods are big, very big… 

  …so let’s play on the trampoline instead. 

 Last night the boys played Carcassonne whilst eating Goldfish; which are baked biscuits not actual fish. Stuart won playing with the green meeples but there was only about 12 points in it. 

Today they wanted to play in the forest.

  
Wriggle bottoms; wanting to see if it’s stopped raining.

 

We’re staying in a big house on the edge of Chicago. 

 

Big stairs 

 

A big sitting room 

 

With big windows onto the forest.   

 All american houses  seem to have Bananas or Bapples. At least these are easy to get to. 

 

Down in the basement there are trains! Which means Jorge is happy. 

 

The Chicago Skyline from our boat tour.

The DuSable bridge at the end of Michigan Avenue is 95 years old today.
 

The bridge is a double leaf, double decker, fixed counterweight, trunion bascule bridge. Underneath it are the gears that lift it. It’s supposed to be so finely balance that if Stuart sat on the counterweight it would tip up but that’s because Stuart ate all the donuts.

 

Just because we can

Off to the suburbs…

  

 Next stop on the road trip is Chicago. Jorge is excited about the elevated trains.
Looking down the magnificent mile towards the Hancock Tower.

  

Lots of shops on the magnificent mile, but Dylan’s Candy Bar caught Stuart’s eye.  

The spoils of shopping. Not sure it’s a good idea given we’re going on a boat tour! 

There was a hanging net that was a bit like a  hammock…

 

…but in the end we opted for the lower bunk. 

 

Off… 

…probably to find breakfast.  

 

That’s Chicago! 

Jorge with the rear engine. 

 

and then at the front of Train 29 

 

Washington Union Station, waiting for train 29 , The Capitol Express to Chicago. 
  

Jorge is excited about the other trains, Stuart is eying up the Emergency Handle. Let’s hope we don’t have to use it. 

Moved to the observation car watching the Potomac valley pass by.  

We follow the Potomac for a long way.  

Yup, still the Potomac… Almost time for sleep.