W^2, W2, or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Today is Day 23 and yesterday, I took the train from Chicagoland all the way to St. Louis. It was my first real train ride in the United States. Trains in the US were once a BIG deal, but with the advent of the car, a national road system, and air travel trains declined in my lifetime. I don’t recall ever riding a train to go anywhere until my brothers and I visited my father in Europe after my parents divorced. My first rail trip was to Glasgow from London on British Rail. We have a commuter rail system in Chicagoland, but I don’t use it often. However, I did take commuter rail into Union Station yesterday morning.
Last night I added to my list of cities where Major League Baseball is played, twenty-three. Every game reminds me of how baseball is an integral part of our culture. I could say sport, but I don’t get this feeling with football, basketball, or other sports and I don’t know why. But last night I sat amongst St. Louis Cardinal fans whom I’d never met and had a great talking baseball and life.
Last night’s seats were the best seats I have ever had for a baseball game. I decided to splurge on these seats when I was planning my trip. To my right were two couples out for the ballgame and to my left was a group of friends, and in front of me were a father and son. None of us were regulars in these seats. The woman to my right was a mom whose thins were headed off to college this fall, JP to right was a graphic artist, and the young man in front of me reminded me who was winning the game – the Cardinals. It was a great night at the ballpark.
I have seven cities left on my list: Denver, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Miami, Baltimore, Boston, and Toronto.
Today, I have a visit to the Gateway Arch, another baseball game tonight, and a train ride home tomorrow.
Today is going to be an amazing day, it could be a million and six times better than yesterday. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the days Count, one day at a time, watching a baseball game, or enjoying the sights and sounds of a new city.
What will you explore today?
Gosh. I can’t imagine a life without trains, expensive as they are. I’ve just come down to London on one – cheap and cheerful, because off-peak and booked in advance. Nothing would induce me to come to London by car, what with parking charges, no- traffic zones, bus lanes, all designed to catch you out with a big fine for contraventions!
Margaret, I wish I could take the train more often! I took the train to the city on Sunday and navigated to the ballpark on the subway. Very convenient and I agree with you about the traffic. I ran into a couple at the game I knew – they took the same amount of time in a car and it was $60 for parking. My outlay was $12 for all day passes on the train (7) and the subway (5)! BTW – somehow this post was moved to ‘drafts’ probably something I did with the mobile app!