In a poll of those attending last year’s Amtrak Road Trip, the consensus was that a standard weekend trip from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon worked best in terms of not requiring anyone to burn up vacation time. The general interest was toward the Ford Museum, the very first of the Amtrak Road Trip destinations. However, the Detroit Auto Show, also known as the North American International Auto Show, will still be running at Cobo Hall in central Detroit in case anyone would like to get some of the very last of the Big Three promotional literature (without a bailout, the U.S. companies may not be around next year). As far as the destination goes, one comment was, “I don’t care where we are going; it is the trip that is fun”.

The details:
Depart Union Station, Chicago (CHI) 6:00 P.M. on January 23, 2009 arriving Dearborn, Michigan (DER) at 11:59 P.M. on the 354 Wolverine
Depart Dearborn, Michigan (DER) at 12:13 P.M. on January 25, 2009 arriving Union Station, Chicago (CHI) at 4:41 P.M. on the 353 Wolverine

Make your reservations at www.amtrak.com. The price is $58 for one roundtrip fare without any deductions. But, there are many savings options including AAA and the inevitable “senior” rates. Amtrak encourages customers to patronize the Amtrak bar-discretion is advised.
The arrival in Dearborn will be after the hotel shuttle is over for the evening, but the taxi ride is only a few dollars when shared.
Make your reservations at the Best Western Greenfield Inn in Dearborn at 1-800-342-1600. The reservation code is “Chicagoland MG Club” for the $86 per night rate (only $2 per night more than last year). The hotel will shuttle us to and from the Ford Museum at no extra charge. Entrance to the Henry Ford Museum is $14.
The hotel has a swimming pool, lounge, restaurant and several miles of automotive art on the corridor walls

Questions: Ann or Jake Snyder at 847-295-2753.

And, coming up soon next July 2009-the camping trip at Road America. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to snyder@chicagolandmgclub.com or phone us. Someone will need to reserve early in January to secure a “camping circle” for those interested in staying at Plymouth Rock one more year.

John Schroeder wished to pass along the following ticket information update: There is an AMTRAK promotion for a companion ticket at ½ price.  It is saves about $17 over AAA/AARP price.  You have to book on the phone and ask for Promotion Code H777.  I just rebooked our trip and the total was $87 instead of $104.40. There is limited availability.  You have to purchase and travel between 11/1/08 and 3/14/09.  It should work for anyone who wants to join us.