The year 2014 is even-numbered so the destination is the North American International Auto Show. This is held in Cobo Hall in Detroit. Our lodging has always been the incomparable Greenfield Inn in Allen Park about 10 miles west of the city.

The auto show has a strong emphasis on the technical aspects of motor vehicles and their manufacture. There are many cut-away engines and gearboxes. Inspecting the Volkswagen W-12 engine is always an exercise that approaches meditation in intensity but with no more hope of reaching enlightenment.

The hotel is huge and pink. And there is art on every corridor wall of all three stories, most of automobiles that are now considered classic though the posters and other advertising were once contemporaneous with new vehicles. There is a lounge, restaurant, pool, fitness room and sauna, besides really nice rooms. One suite was used by Charles Lindbergh when he worked at the Ford Motor Company building airplanes in WWII.

The trip will be by Amtrak train service leaving Chicago on Friday January 24 and returning on Sunday January 26, 2014. So you only have to ask for a half-day off on Friday. We will meet in Union Station about 11:00 A.M. in the lower level of the Snuggery on the food court concourse.

The details: Leave Amtrak Union Station Chicago 24 January 2014 at 12:50 P.M.; Arrive Dearborn 6:56 P.M. Leave Amtrak Dearborn Station 26 January 2014 at 11:43 A.M; Arrive Chicago 3:58 P.M. The cost per person for the Amtrak should be about $75 roundtrip depending on discounts. Reserve at Amtrak.com. We most likely can get a hotel shuttle from and to the Dearborn station. The rooms are $88 per night, any type, plus tax but including breakfast from the kitchen. The group name is ChicagolandMG, the group sales representative is Heather. The phone number is 313-271-1600. NAIAS tickets are $13 subject to discounts. Allow $10 each way for cab fare.

Questions: Ann or Jake Snyder, snyder@chicagolandmgclub.com or 847-295-2753.

~~Jake & Ann Snyder