I guess this was to be expected. My track record for arriving at the airport on time to catch flights was at best 50/50. So missing at least 1 train on this trip and being stranded in a small town should not have come as a surprise. But from the beginning …
On some of the stops to Chicago, where time was given for leg stretching/smoking, Alex would take these opportunities to snap pictures. This time was no different. A short 5 minute stop was planned for Fort Madison, Iowa where the train will unload waste and restock on supplies. Being right next to the almighty Mississippi, it was quite obvious where the photography activity was going to occur. Alex runs on ahead, while I packed our laptops and headed out to join him.
The moment I stepped off the train and went behind the train, I knew something was wrong. My instincts were screaming “DEFINITELY NOT A GOOD IDEA” … for the following reasons:
- As such, it was not possible to determine if the train was ready to leave by observing other passengers.
- The water flow from the Mississippi will drown out any sounds or notifications from the conductor.
- The bank of the Mississippi was covered with various bushes and small trees, preventing any passengers on the train from notifying the conductor of our missing presence.
Of course, I ignored these reasons and proceeded to run through the trees and bushes and on to the bank of the Mississippi. A few minutes later, I noticed something was moving behind the trees. Realizing it was the train both Alex and I made a mad dash, but was too late. It was only then, realization hit us that we were stranded in what appeared to be America’s smallest town with a railroad track, Fort Madison, Iowa (Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Madison,_Iowa)
This is where the adventure begins and where PANIC sets in. With only the following 3 things in my possession: phone, wallet, and laptop, what does one do … One contacts one’s friends and hope for the best.
1st plan of action: Get to the next stop and catch up with the train at Galesburg, Illinois. Plan failed when the train attendant informed us it takes an hour and 45 mins to reach Galesburg by car and only an hour and 10 mins by train. FAIL.
2nd plan of action: Get to the Burlington Airport and take a flight to Chicago. Sam and Victor (Alan was busy and did not answer his phone) both informed us a plane was leaving for Chicago at 1 PM from Burlington. Alex and I arrived at Burlington airport to find out there are no flights to Chicago, only to Kansas City. It turns out, Sam and Victor were looking at Burlington, Vermont, NOT Burlington, Iowa. FAIL.
3rd plan of action: Rent a car from AVIS and drive 4 hours to Chicago. WIN. Though there was something funny about the rented car … FAIL.
Anyway over all costs for a picture of the Mississippi River has been broken down neatly below:
- Taxi to Burlington Airport – $33
- AVIS Car Rental – $111
- Taxi to Union Station from Rental Drop off – $55
Total extra cost for our EPIC FAIL: $199. Getting to see the Illinois countryside, not worth $199, but it was very beautiful.
