The Train to Michigan and Back!

Starting Monday, January 28, we caught Amtrak in Cut Bank, MT, to Chicago, IL. From there we stayed with Ryan's cousin for a night, and ended in Saginaw, MI at 10:30 PM on Wednesday! It was great, it was long, it was fun! Total train time ONE WAY: 42 hours!

When we first got to Cut Bank to catch the train, we arrived 30 min. early. There was not a soul, a car, or any sign of anything really! We found this handwritten sign inside the station. We were a little nervous, thinking maybe we'd misunderstood the dates/times/locations. But sure enough, the train stopped for us!

 

Inside the desolated train station!

On the train...

 Accordian entertainment. Bonnie was really not sure about it!

 

Warming up!

Ada got to shake the banana maraca!

 

Enjoying train time...

 When we arrived in Chicago, we had to walk about 3 blocks to catch a bus to Valparaiso to meet up with Ryan's cousin Teisha (& Dylan) Astle. With our 2 suitcases, 2 car seats, and 2 kids, this is how we managed! (The car seats are hooked up to the suitcases!). We got a lot of stares, "very clever", and laughs!

 Teisha and Dylan were SO hospitable. They made us a delicious dinner, entertained the girls, and provided a wonderful bed to sleep in! (oh, and a shower!) They have twin 7 1/2 year old boys. Bonnie took them on in ping pong!

 

Our train didn't leave until 4 pm the next day, so Teisha & Dylan took us into Chicago to the famous "Bean". It was pretty neat!

 Ada and their little girl Brooklyn.

 We also at at Giordano's Pizza. OH-MY-BEST-PIZZA!  I love pizza. This Chicago Deep Dish is top on my list now. I tried recreating it last night. It was good, but not totally the same. If I ever get back to Chicago, I must go there again!

When we got back on the train. This is what the girls did in the first 10 minutes!

 

They also made some cute friends! The train conductor had to come back and ask them to settle down! These friends made the final stretch go a lot quicker! 

On Wednesday night, Heath and Cora picked us up in Flint, MI, and took us to their home in Saginaw. More fun to begin (after a good nights rest!). Ryan's Mom, Dad, and Matt were also there. So, on Thursday, we drove through Lansing, MI, just to see the capitol building! 

We also visited a neighboring town called Ada!

 Famous Ada Covered Bridge!

 

It was such a darling little town. It fit Ada well!

 That night we celebrated Hunter's Birthday at his restaurant of choice: Sizzler!

 

 Friday we relaxed a bit. We hung out at home, did a little grocery shopping, and went swimming at Cora's mother's hotel! A highlight for Ada!

 Saturday was the main reason we made this trip. Hunter was baptized!

 

It was a very special day. I love the spirit that is present at a Baptism. We are very proud of Hunter and the great young man he is becoming.

 Ada being cute!

 

 After the Baptism, we got to watch both Logan and Hunter play a basketball game. Then we ate at a delicious Tepanyaki Buffet. I got my fill of shrimp on this trip :).  Then we took the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese's. This was by far Bonnie's favorite thing!

 

 

It was so fun to see Grandma riding the horse!  

 Heath and Cora got this Hello Kitty shirt and tutu for Ada. When they gave it to her she said, "This is my dream come true!". Thanks Heath and Cora! She still talks about that and had to wear it to Ballet class!

 On Sunday, Bonnie had come down with a bad cough and congestion. So, I stayed home from Church with her. We very quickly (we were only outside for about 4 minutes!) took some family pictures that afternoon. I think they turned out so nice! Such a great Merkley family! This is the last time we were all going to be together for awhile. Matt just moved to Australia for a year or so, Heath and Cora will be moving soon with the Military. So it was great to get an updated photo!

 

 Great Cousins! Ada LOVED playing with her cousins!

 Beautiful Bonnie! She did not feel well at all :(

By afternoon, Bonnie had taken a turn for the worse. Her breathing was up to 50 breaths a minute and her chest was retracting pretty hard. We decided to take her to the ER to get a breathing treatment. She did not like nurses or doctors even touching her!

 But she sure looked stinkin' cute in this hospital gown! I didn't get a picture, but they had to take a chest x-ray of her. While she was strapped to a board so she would wiggle so much, she was crying and looking at me, showing me her "all done" sign. It melted my heart. She is such a sweet little angel. After her breathing treatment, she started to do SO much better.

 

 We made it home just in time to eat stuffed mushrooms, artichoke dip, and other yummy appetizers made by Grandma. Oh, and watch a little Super Bowl! Ada snuggled right up to Uncle Heath!

Early on Monday morning, we caught our train home! On our short layover in Chicago, we walked down to the Sears tower and got a city picture with Ry and the girls. Our camera battery died by this point so we only had my old cell phone to take pictures!

 

Bonnie and I at the end of our Journey! Thank you, Amtrak!