Amtrak Road Trip 2014
January 23-25, 2015

We have been most of the places on Amtrak that we can get to and from in one weekend with something interesting to see and do in the middle. There are old favorites that we have been to several times and a few that we have been to only once. But this is a new one, so close to Chicago that we overlooked it for years. It is Pontiac, Illinois, self-described as “A Small Town with Something for Everyone”. There is a lot there and most likely much will not be available on January 23 – 25, 2015 when we are there. But do expect to see the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum, the and the Walldog Museum, specializing in a collection of historic outdoor advertisements. And there is a historical society museum and at least three homes from the mid-1800s and a court house. All plenty to see before searching out the restaurants and lounges.

The travel arrangements are a little different than what we usually can find on an Amtrak RoadTrip. There will be taxi transportation for traveling from the Amtrak station to the hotel on Friday, taxi rides from the hotel to downtown Pontiac and back again on Saturday and one final ride to the train station on Sunday. The Best Western Hotel is several miles out of town near the Interstate and there did not seem to be appropriate accommodation in town as the Best Western advertises that it has the only pool. A hot breakfast is served but there is no kitchen. However, the area abounds with Arby’s, Wendy’s, Subway and Taco Bell. There is no lounge in the hotel but we are welcome to gather in the lobby. You will have to pack your own essentials.

Necessary information: The fare is about $45 per person round trip unless you can find a special fare.
	23 January 2015 - Train 321 - Leave Union Station in Chicago at 1:45 P.M, arrive Pontiac at 3:27 P.M. 25 January 2015 - Train 302 – Leave Pontiac at 10:14 A.M., arrive Union Station at 12:20 P.M. Best Western Pontiac Inn – 1821 W. Reynolds, Pontiac, Illinois 815/842-2777 - $84.49 + tax, hot breakfast included. Pool and hot tub. Taxi service – arranged in advance with Tourism Center. Allow about $20 per person.
Bring your sense of adventure. And check the Car Events at http://www.pontiac.org/index.aspx?NID=110  . Our event is already listed.

~~ Ann & Jake Snyder