May 9th. A short cab ride brought us to Chicago’s Union Station, and just like that our 4 days in the “Windy City” were behind us.

Chicago’s Union Station is attractive, as is Denver’s Union Station, both on our route.

Chicago Union Station

Denver’s Union Station
Denver’s Union Station

They are not in the same league as Kansas City’s Union Station. We have previously visited New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, which is significant but, in my opinion, just a close second to KC.

New York Grand Central Terminal
Kansas City Union Station
Kansas City Union Station
Kansas City Union Station

This is not just a matter of Kansas City “pride”:

“KC Union Station encompasses 850,000 square feet of space and originally had 900 rooms on 10 levels. The ceiling in the Grand Hall soars 95 feet high and from it hang three chandeliers, each weighing 3,500 pounds. A 6-foot-high clock hangs from the ceiling at the nexus of the Grand and North Halls. The North Waiting Hall, with its 65-foot ceiling, can contain an assemblage of 10,000 people.” (from USA Today)

Major city rail stations all carry the name “Union”, not in reference to the Civil War, but because in the heyday of passenger rail travel they served many rail companies and thus were a “union” of many routes.

The Chicago Station had an attractive waiting area for certain classes of ticketed passengers. It was stocked with beverages and snacks.

We were surprised to see a large population of Amish and/or Mennonite passengers. We believe that they departed our train somewhere in Iowa.

The California Zephyr was scheduled to depart Chicago at 2 p.m. and arrive 52 hours later in Emeryville California.

The final connection to San Francisco would be 30 minutes by Amtrak chartered bus. We had heard horror stories of hours long delays that resulted in midnight arrivals, loss of hotel reservations, and no available late night public transportation. Fortunately, our departure and arrival were both on time.

There were three groups of passengers. Those in regular coach seating (reserved and open seating), those in small 2 seat “roomettes” which convert to narrow top and bottom sleepers,

and Superliner bedroom compartments with more space that includes a private toilet and shower. We traveled in that third category.

It was nice to have our own bathroom, but it was nearly half the size of a phone booth (for those who remember what a phone booth is) and did double service as a shower.

I used it for both purposes but after sizing up the challenges Christine limited her use to the toilet, deciding to wait for the comfort of our San Francisco hotel shower.

Roomette and bedroom passenger tickets include well prepared meals in an elegant dining car.

Coach passengers may access the dining car for a price ($25 each for breakfast and lunch, $45 for dinner) if there is seating still available. Coach passengers also have a “café” option where meals can be purchased ala carte.

The train also featured a sightseeing car available for all to use. Seating was limited and at one point the conductor limited use to hour and a half rotations. It worked.

Who rides the Zephyr? Those afraid of flying, those favoring low tech (the Amish/Mennonites?) and those just pursuing the experience. We fell into the third category.

On the first night Christine and I tried to share the bottom bunk in our compartment. The bed was long enough but about the width of one and a half twin beds. On night two we optioned to have the upper and lower beds both prepared.

Sleeping for me was not as much of a challenge as it was for Christine. Significant rail sections were rough and “rocky”. This was not the regular motion of a vessel at sea, but more like the shaking of a moderate earthquake.

We were a few cars from the engine, but not far enough to be insulated from the train’s signal horn. As the train approached every intersection the engineer sounded the horn: two long blasts, a short one, and then a final long one. EVERY intersection day and night, large or small, urban and rural. The sounds wound themselves as tendrils into my dreams. They just kept Christine awake.

The personnel on the train were efficient and professional. This included the conductor, the dining attendants, and Tanika who was our cabin attendant. She had coffee brewing at the end of our car at 6 a.m. each morning, collected garbage, provided bottled water on demand, and turned down our beds at night, then made up our cabin the following morning. Through it all she maintained a smile.

There was a major problem with the adjoining train car. The toilets in the sleeping rooms ceased to function. Thankfully, we were not affected. Those passengers who were used the general toilet facilities available to coach passengers. We understand that they would be compensated with partial refunds.

We experienced minor annoyances. Our compartment only had two electric outlets and no USB ports. This, no doubt, is due to the pre-internet age of the train car. There was no Wi-Fi, and cell service tended to be spotty because there were stretches that did not parallel major roadways. The compartment had a very small 6-inch-wide hanging locker, but no suitcase storage. We chose to work around and out of our bags rather than keep them in baggage storage located outside and downstairs from our compartment. Based on our experience we recommend that travelers keep a small bag with only the barest essentials in their compartment.

The scenery is where the Zephyr really shined. We reached the Mississippi by late afternoon and crossed into Iowa.

We slept through Nebraska and awoke to the eastern plains of Colorado.

First view of the mountains was exciting.  We arrived in Denver before businesses opened. This was our longest stop at about 40 minutes.

Putting Denver behind us, we quickly ascended into the mountains where we entered and exited dozens of tunnels.

The 6.2-mile-long Moffat Tunnel (built in 1927 and currently the fourth longest rail tunnel in the US) took over 10 minutes to transit and is the highest point in the entire Amtrak system at over 9,000 feet.

From Wikipedia

There were more tunnels. When we emerged from the Moffat at Winter Park we were amazed to see people still skiing.

It is possible to tire of the scenery as it unrolls, mile after mile. A kind of visual fatigue sets in which gets shaken out when something new appears.

 

One such example was the appearance of kayaks and rafts on the Colorado River.

More sights…

It did not take long to observe a curious habit with some of the river folk. One after another (male and female) turned their backs to us and dropped their pants, “mooning” the train.

The conductor explained over the intercom that “mooning the Amtrak” began over 40 years ago in California and has since expanded along the route. I did not get a closeup picture, but many are available online.

There were also some sad sights…

Would we do it again? Probably not. However, we are considering the trans-Canada equivalent for the future. 13 days long, with 5 onboard. We are also considering 2-month Eurail passes. Unlimited train travel in 33 countries at a cost of approximately $1,700 for the two of us.

Would we recommend the California Zephyr? Yes, to people who with eyes open understand the limitations of the experience. For those who wish to see just the highlights, book the trip from Denver, Colorado to Reno, Nevada.

Next, Part 3: San Francisco.

Peace Everyone. Pete

 

 

A few blocks from our home in Kansas City is St. Teresa’s Academy (STA). This premier private all-girls high school was founded in 1866 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. It is located on a parklike 20-acre campus.

6 years ago, our then 5th grade granddaughter, Delaney, told Christine that she hoped to attend St. Teresa’s in high school. Her resolve was such that Grandmother Christine interceded with the administration on Delaney’s behalf to arrange for her to participate in the annual “shadow day” as a 6th grader. Normally reserved for 8th graders, Delaney was welcomed again in the 7th and finally the 8th grade. Her determination, good grades, and community service resulted in her admission to the Freshman class at STA in 2023.

Last week Christine and I joined Delaney, and her friend Phoebe, for Grandparents Day at STA.

Phoebe, Christine, Me, and Delaney.

Hundreds of grandparents enjoyed coffee and sweets before joining their granddaughters for Mass and a campus tour. We were proud to be Phoebe’s “grandparents for a day”.

550 young women attend St. Teresa’s Academy. Strong in academics, the school features over 125 course offerings which include advance placement (AP) classes through Rockhurst University, St. Louis University, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Over 98% of STA students proceed directly on to 4-year college and university studies.

The student body and faculty are diverse and inclusive, originating from varied cultural, racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Although a school guided by Catholic faith and social principles, girls from all faith traditions are welcomed.

STA is equally strong in athletics. The campus features a state-of-the-art gymnasium and outdoor track/sports complex. STA girls compete at the highest level in basketball, cross country, soccer, volleyball, track, golf, softball, swimming, tennis, dance, lacrosse, and most recently wrestling.

As a 5th grader Delaney declared her intention to someday become a “pediatric orthopedic surgeon”. Perhaps that ambition was driven by her frequent contact with health care professionals in her early years. Delaney is one of three surviving quadruplets. She and her siblings were born very early and very tiny. To look at Delaney, Britton and Simon today one would never suspect their struggles to survive their first year.

Grandchildren, Britton, Simon, and Delaney with their little sister, Lennon.

It is all too common for people of my generation to criticize today’s youth. The misdeeds of some young people make for sensational fodder in the news cycle. However, the real story too often untold, is that the future will be in good hands with these leaders of tomorrow… if the leaders of today don’t trash it all first.

Peace Everyone. Pete

 

“…Women and children dying in the streets
And we’re still at it in our own place
Still trying to reach the future through the past
Still trying to carve tomorrow from a tombstone…

…Up here we sacrifice our children
To feed the worn-out dreams of yesterday
And teach them dying will lead us into glory…”

(From The Island, a song by Paul Brady)

In 2018, Christine and I were in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We had heard about the (unadvertised) “Black Taxi tours“. We were able to book one through the clerk at our small hotel.

Arranging for the tour felt a bit “cloak and dagger”. The cab driver would be first name only and no fee was quoted, “Pay at the end what you think it was worth”. Cash only.

At the arranged time, a taxicab (not black) pulled up to the front of the hotel. The driver was pleasant, extending his hand in greeting, and ushered us into the rear of the cab. He provided us with his first name, but no other details.

For the better part of the afternoon, he drove us to many of the locations and sites relevant to “The Troubles”, along with a knowledgeable running commentary.

His narrative was matter of fact and dispassionate. This was in stark contrast to the subject matter which included terrorist bombings, assassinations and judicially sanctioned executions.

Earlier in our trip: The spot at Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin where most of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rebellion were executed by firing squad.

One of the efforts to whitewash the protest murals.

At the end of the tour we were emotionally drained. As I peeled off British Pound notes for payment he asked us, “Do you think that my loyalties rest with the Republic (of Ireland) or the Unionists (United Kingdom)?” Christine and I looked at each other and said that we didn’t know. “Then I have done my job.” He accepted our payment with gratitude and left.

Reflecting on the experience I am struck by the cab driver’s ability to express the facts of the cataclysm known as “The Troubles”, shorn of personal opinion and emotion.

I wonder if I could do the same for a foreign visitor in describing the current situation in our country.

Peace Everyone. Pete

PS. Upon further reflection I believe that on some issues I could follow the example of the cab driver. I believe that I could set out an even-handed narrative of the competing arguments regarding: Immigration, Border Security, Health Care, Wealth Distribution, Abortion, Education, the Federal Debt… to name a few. Not because I believe in the rightness of both sides, but because I have listened to both sides. Unlike the “Black Cab” driver, on some issues I feel morally bound not to allow an expression of neutrality be misunderstood as acceptance of that which I do not believe.

The images are of huge murals, a form of protest in Belfast.

Christine standing in front of the mural, “The Woman’s Quilt
“The Island” a song about “The Troubles” by Paul Brady

 
I Hate Crossword Puzzles!
Solve in SECONDS?! Not me!

Word games of every kind haunt me, befuddle me, sap my self-confidence, and cause me to wonder if I have no claim to a “native language”. I can’t spell, and that is an understatement. In grade school when my class lined up in teams for a spelling bee contest, I was ALWAYS the last kid chosen. I wonder now if the teacher considered the two teams equally divided if the one that I landed on had one extra player.

It didn’t improve in high school. One of my English teachers once pulled me aside and well-meaning, hand on my shoulder, said, “Mr. Schloss, perhaps college is not for you. You would be better served pursuing a technical education.”

I could have been happy in a “technical” occupation. I have an aptitude for things mechanical: electrical, plumbing, carpentry, auto mechanics. However, I think that the “mechanics” of human relationships has been my calling.

My amateur construction and repair skills have saved us thousands of dollars over the years. On occasion those same skills have tested Christine’s patience, like the time I decided to begin demolition of our kitchen in the middle of a 4th of July party we were hosting… Or the afternoon she was away shopping and returned to find that I had removed all of the water and sewer lines from inside the house. Bad timing on my part, she was 6 months pregnant.

Christine and our children seem like savants to me when it comes to word games and puzzles. They have discovered the daily online puzzle section of the New York Times, son Peter gravitates to the big crossword puzzles, Alexis, Renee and Christine especially enjoy “Wordle”, “Strands”, and “The Mini”, Although playing is free (with ads), Christine learned that for $6 a month she can buy 6 “ad-free” accounts, thus enhancing family group participation.

Just a few of the Times daily puzzles.

A few months ago, Christine encouraged me to try “Connections”, another of the New York Times daily puzzle offerings. “Not just no, but hell no!” I replied. “Pete, it doesn’t involve spelling.”

How could that be? A word game where spelling isn’t required? I was intrigued.

Each day, “Connections” presents a grid, 4 boxes by 4 boxes and within each box is a word. The challenge is to see patterns emerge which result in the successful player allocating 4 of the words each into 4 different categories. This from the Times: “You must separate 16 terms into four categories, with four terms in each category, and there is only one solution that works. The trick is that one category often has 5 or more potential answers.”

This is a recent example of “Connections”. The solution is at the end of this post.

For me “Connections” has been like the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking… Christine asks ME for help!!

My current “Connections” scores.

Encouraged by my enthusiasm for “Connections”, Christine then urged me to take on “The Mini”; very small crossword puzzles that The Times subtitles, “Solve in Seconds!” Indeed, Christine and our daughter, Alexis, daily challenge each other to see who can solve the puzzle the fastest, often in less than a minute.

Christine vs. Alexis. Alexis won this one.

Hell, I can’t type that fast even if I know the answers and can spell them!

Nevertheless, I have tried, and tried, and tried. Twice I got it done in just under 2 minutes. Most of the time I throw my hands up and ask for help at the 8-10 minute mark.

My “Connections” followed by my result in “The Mini”.
My effort at “The Mini”, and Christine at “Connections.
How is it possible that I can be so bad at all word games except “Connections”? It’s Puzzling.
May 2025 be a year of Health, Love, and Happiness for you and those you hold dear.
Peace Everyone, and Happy New Year. Pete

PS. Here is the solution to the “Connections” example I gave above:

The solution to the above “Connections” puzzle.
The difficulty rating on this “Connections” puzzle.

 

The year was 1977. Christine and I were married in June, I had quit my job, we bought our first home, and I started law school. Christine chiseled away on her undergraduate degree as she worked full time and was raising a 6-year-old boy. We were happy, and in love. Thankful for our blessings, we were oblivious to our lack of money. In gift giving this was to be a “thin” Christmas for us.

Midnight Mass was wonderful. St. Francis Xavier church had a congregation with an eclectic mix. There were octogenarian parishioners who had called this church their spiritual home since the 1930s, and there were college students who were drawn to the more liberal Jesuit atmosphere. We felt welcome, loved, comfortable, and embraced by God and his (“her” as Christine would say) children.

As special as the service was, it took second place to the spectacle before us on our walk home. The sky was deep indigo, laced with countless stars shining diamond sharp above us. It was a white Christmas. Fortune had given us 4 inches of new snow, deep enough to challenge the footfalls of a 6-year-old. Sean stretched to match my stride, finding reward in the “trail” that I blazed. Perhaps he was wondering what it would be like to someday walk with the stride of a man.

A man, me. Here I was with a family, home, bills, school and the nagging fear of failure weighing upon me. Sean would someday face his own adult challenges, but for that night his focus was to just put one foot in front of the other and managing his excitement that Santa would soon be at his new home.

As we walked up the steps to our yard, I suggested to Sean that we stay in the backyard and scan the sky for the vapor trails that might be evidence of Santa’s wanderings. To again have a child’s faith, what a gift. Next best is to look deeply into the eyes of a 6 year and remember.

 Christine took her leave, complaining that “You men are just too warm blooded”. Actually, her departure was contrived as part of a plan to enhance Sean’s first Christmas in a home with a real fireplace and chimney. Our previous home had been an apartment. While it was a nice apartment, the vision of Santa arriving on the balcony and opening the sliding glass door fell short of the poetic image which begins with the words, “Twas the Night Before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”.

We had gone out of our way to make a big deal about our “new” fireplace. It had seen its first fire in 1922, and like fine wine it had mellowed with age. The ceramic bricks had taken on the patina of countless fires through 55 winters. Tonight, there would be no fire. Sean insisted that we not risk preventing Santa’s entry.

At my urging, our arrangement was to engage in a bit of theater. The Christmas Tree was decorated, but it stood solitary without any presents beneath it. The gifts were hidden in the living room coat closet. While Sean and I stood in the yard searching for signs of Santa, Christine planned to place the presents under the Christmas Tree.

Out in the yard Sean and I pondered whether the wisp of a cloud here or a dash of smoke there was Santa’s trail. There was a bright moon which echoed its glow on the snow atop our home. I turned my gaze to the roof and shouted, “There, Look There! Did you see him Sean? Santa on OUR roof!” The pliable mind of a 6-year-old is a fertile place to plant thoughts. Sean saw him too.

On cue Christine burst out the back door calling for us to come quick, Santa had been in the living room when she walked into the room. We fairly fell over one another as we charged up the stairs and into the house. In the living room we saw presents where none had been before.

Sean slowly surveyed the room, his eyes and mouth wide. One must remember that this was a “thin” Christmas. We had purchased with care, and within our means. Before the fireplace was a pair of roller skates, the kind that take a key and clamp on your shoes. There was a red wagon, some wrapped gifts, a couple of small toy cars and a large yellow metal dump truck. Noteworthy was the absence of items which needed batteries for fun. These toys were powered by imagination. It was imagination that we counted on to elevate this Christmas in a small child’s mind.

Sean’s gaze continued around the room as I mentally congratulated myself for the cleverness of our creative “theater”. The thing that I had not counted on was that a child’s imagination, like gasoline, is easy to ignite but once lit is difficult to control. Sean’s eyes halted upon Christine. His little face hardened, and his gaze narrowed as he uttered these words of accusation, “You scared him off! You scared him away before he could leave all the presents!”

Christine and I were dumbstruck. For an instant I might have thought the irony of this turn of events funny, but any such tendency was ended by the very real tears that began to fall from my wife’s eyes. She ran to the bedroom and I went to console her. She felt failure as a mother, and I felt failure as a husband. A few minutes together felt like hours. We composed ourselves and resolved to make the best of things. We still had a small child downstairs, and it was still Christmas.

Arm in arm we descended the stairs only to find a 6-year-old happily occupied in the joy of moving imaginary earth from an imaginary construction site with his new toy truck. Nothing more was ever said by him of Santa’s “interrupted” visit. By any child’s measure, that Christmas was a resounding success. For us it has taken the passage of time to temper the bittersweet of that night.

We have since enjoyed many more Christmases. Three holiday seasons in our early years brought with them the births of our children, Peter, Renee’, and Alexis. If you do the math their births are also celebrations of the preceding Springs. 

Christine knows that I am telling this piece of our history. Signs of the old pain remain, but punctuated by a smile, a knowing look, and a squeeze of my hand. So, Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night.

Peace Everyone. Pete