Leaving Winona

Our trip on the Empire Builder started in Winona. There were six other people besides us that got on at Winona. The train was only at the station for about four minutes, just enough time for people to get on the train and we were off. We immediately went to the Dining Car for our first meal on the train out to Seattle. I had Thyme Roasted Chicken and he had Baked Pork Chop. We both had Cheesecake for dessert. Our attendant made up our sleeper compartment while we ate dinner.

A big treat was that the kids drove to Tinucci's in Newport to watch our train go past. We saw their car headlights and they saw my flashlight in the window of the train. We also recognized the old St. Paul Union Train Depot as we were going through downtown St. Paul. I have fond memories of that depot. The waiting room was as big as a football field. On Sundays after church we would go there for the largest and tastiest smorgasbord ever in a very elegant dining room.

We also recognized the Science Museum of Minnesota and Kowalskis on Grand by Ayd Mill Road. It was close to midnight when we crossed over University Avenue and pulled in to Amtrak Depot at Midway (St. Paul/Minneapolis). After an hour or so service stop there we were on our way again. I had only gotten four hours of sleep the night before but I wasn't tired yet. So I got out my iPod and listened to Orange Blossom Special and Rocky Top until I fell asleep.