Sunday afternoon in Wrigleyville

Sunday, June 14. We had tickets for the Cubs-Twins game on Sunday afternoon. This would be my first visit to the "Friendly Confines" since 1991. Sure, Wrigley may be a bit run-down and a challenge to get to, but it's still a great place to see a game.

Home of the Cubs, bay-beeeeee!

We decided to park in a pay parking lot downtown and ride a CTA train out to the game... probably a wise choice considering the horror stories I've read about trying to park within a 5-mile radius of Wrigley during a ball game. Before the game, we met up with Matt's friend Erik at Harry Caray's sports bar. I'm not sure it was even noon yet (and on a Sunday, no less!) but the beer was flowing freely.

Matt, Erik, Whiskey.

M was ready for some baseball.

We could feel the energy just being part of the crowd on Addison Street. This season may end up being a disappointment like all the rest, but there was optimism and excitement in the air. "The Cubs are going to win TODAY"...

Addison St Cubs crowd

first pitch: full stands and full rooftops. Oh, did I mention it was sunny and in the 70s... a GREAT day for a ballgame? Too bad our seats were in the shade... oh well, we had a good view, anyway.

Ted Lilly turned in a quality start, allowing just 2 runs in 7 2/3 innings.

Cubs win! Ryan Theriot batted in the winning run with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 9th. Final score..... Cubs 3, Twins 2.

Wrigley Field bleachers and scoreboard.

After the game, we waited in a long line to board a CTA train back to downtown. Then we shot some photos of Amtrak and Metra trains, and headed to Berwyn to meet a friend for dinner. Our vacation was almost over...

Riding the CTA after the Cubs game.

Coming next: a few more trains, a sick kid, and a visit to the Sears Tower. Stay tuned...

WSC

np: the Toadies - "Tyler"

Chicago trip - 1.1

M and I embarked on our summer vacation trip on the first Sunday in June. L was attending a summer camp program at Texas Tech in Lubbock. We had scheduled a 9-day visit to Chicago, Indiana, Ohio, and back to Chicago. Along the way, we'd be visiting with family and friends, catching a couple of baseball games, and of course watching and photographing some trains. I hadn't visited Chicago since 1999, and hadn't railfanned in the city since 1991!

On June 7, we caught a morning flight from D-FW to Chicago...

Not much to see outside...

... until we arrived in Chicago and executed a turn above Lake Michigan near downtown before approaching O'Hare from the east.

Wrigleyville! We had tickets for a game there the following Sunday.

What's the story here?

After claiming our luggage and obtaining our rental vehicle, we headed west toward Rochelle. We'd return later in the week to Chicago to actually see the city.

Sweet! We're on the road to Sugar Grove -- the first time I would see first-hand part of the territory I am currently dispatching (BNSF Aurora Subdivision west of Aurora, IL).

We discovered this item on the floor of our rental van. Our realization that we could change the name and purpose of the item simply by covering up two of the letters, provided a near-constant source of amusement during the trip.

Coming next: BNSF Aurora Sub, Rochelle Railroad Days, and a train ride at Waterman. Stay tuned...

WSC

np: Cubs vs Tigers on WGN