Let the journey begin

It was early morning as I stood patiently waiting for the Amtrak Train to arrive. Too early, I thought while still yawning. But they had paused the 9:15 AM service out Metro Detroit to Chicago leaving me relegated to a 6:40 AM departure. Sure, there was one later that afternoon, but I didn’t want to arrive in the Windy City at night.

Amtrak is always a fun ride and truly the only way to see small town America without driving.

Roughly five and a half hours after leaving Detroit I had arrived and was whisked away to my hotel in the city’s downtown area.

Arriving at the River Hotel, three hours prior to check in, I was shepherded through the process and allowed to head to my room ahead of the customary 3 PM registration time.

River Hotel

Perhaps a bit smaller than I expected, my room was quite comfortable. While the hotel staff was excellent.

My Room

Just across the Chicago River there it they stood; in the backdrop of the riverboat, I’d later take an architecture tour on.

Chicago River

But it wasn’t until ‘Grogu‘ asked for his spot for the trip that I had realized my exact proximity during this, the week of the Democratic National Convention.

Grogu cheking out 45’s hotel and Chicago Tribune

To my surprise, forty-five’s hotel, standing as a landmark tall enough for me not to get lost in the city of masses. While as I panned right, looking out room 1705’s window, there stood the illustrious Chicago Tribune. It houses one of the nation’s premier newspapers and stands equally, if not more, impressive due to our First Amendment of the Constitution.

Immediately my thoughts shifted to the convention in town and how I’d be in-cooperating it into my stories.

The city was filled with politicians including former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton their spouses and current president Joe Biden and his wife. Not to mention all the other elected officials and delegates. While Kamala Harris was to accept the party’s nomination as presidential candidate after a roll call of the delegates a couple days from my arrival.

News Crews

TV news crews and vloggers were everywhere. As were the secret service and police. Including outside my hotel.

Secret Service

Chicago’s Bicycle Police were present too.

Chicago’s Bicycle Police

Stay tuned, there’s plenty more to come…

Including a visit to

…what these folks are watching.

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And the Silver Buffalo Disney Nightmare Before Christmas Jack with Bones Ceramic Travel Mug, 10 Ounces

Matching Mug

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2 responses to “A Michigander in the Windy City during Convention time”

  1. Cicilie Veinø Avatar
    Cicilie Veinø

    It seems like you had a fantastic trip. Always nice to do something new stuff.

    1. Rick Ollie Avatar

      Thank you, Cicilie. Coming from an Author such as yourself, I’m honored!

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