The Wolverine # 352

I'm in the land of snow and ice or as it's more commonly called Michigan. We took the train yesterday to avoid travel delays. Who knew, other than my father-in-law the trainman, that trains can be delayed because of snow on the tracks? We drove an hour and 45 minutes to Macomb, IL to catch the train to Chicago for a 7:00 AM ride. And no I still don't like mornings. Especially after 4 hours of sleep. The road was snow covered and at times we had to drive 40 because of slick roads.  But once on the train, the ride to Chicago was pretty uneventful and we felt pretty smug to not be on the highways.

The ride from Chicago to Ann Arbor was not so easy. First the train was an hour late. Then once we are on it, the conductors are apologizing for the delay by telling us the train had some "mechanical" problems that were now taken care of. Hey, I believe in truth but sometimes I'd just as soon not be told the whole truth. Tell me that the train had an extra inspection to make sure we are safe on this cold and snowy day.  

Then we are sitting on the train waiting for departure and the conductor once again comes on and tells us that we are ready to roll as soon as the engineer gets on. He's delayed because he had witnessed an infraction and is giving his statement. Now I'm wondering about the safety of the trip if one engineer is ratting on another engineer.  Where's the loyalty? The brotherhood? Us against the man? Man it must have been a huge infraction! 

Once we are on our way, we run into stops and delays because of snow on the tracks and meeting other trains. The trip that was to be 4 hours turned into over 6. Poor Whitney waited patiently by the phone to get updates as to when we were going to arrive. 

The first call was

 "I have no idea when we will leave, but they are saying at least an hour delay." 

Once we were on the way, the conductor had "no idea when we'll arrive. I'll be able to tell you after Battle Creek." 

So I'm back on the phone to Whit. 

"They can't tell us when we'll arrive. But I'll let you know as soon as we know." 

"Ok. I wonder when I should put the chicken pot pie in the oven? It even has home made crust." 

This was great news to Monte's ears. We had eaten depot sandwiches at 11 and it was now 6:15 and he was starving. 

The conductor did give us an update after Battle Creek. 

 "Sorry we are going so slow, but the signals are all yellow and we're proceeding with caution. " 

Yeah, 20 miles an hour.

 

Five minutes before Ann Arbor, we get the word--"Five minutes to Ann Arbor! Five minutes to Ann Arbor!"

So I'm back on the phone, which now has one bar of battery, to Whitney:

        "We're five minutes out."

"Oh! I'll put the chicken pot pie in and be on my way."

But we made it safe and sound. And if we would have been driving, we wouldn't have come. The roads were snow covered all the way and there was snow falling all day.  So despite the delays  it was a good trip. And what else do we have to do? The to-do lists are never ending and grow each week. 

The chicken pot pie? Very good! Very good indeed.