I promised you an update, so here it is. I arrived in Chicago, switched on the TV and heard talk of a freight rail strike. Amtrak trains run on the freight lines, and they were already cancelling services in anticipation. Long story short, my trains – the whole point of the trip, seeing America from coast to coast by rail – were almost certainly off.
I could have flown on to see friends, but this trip was about the journey, not flying somewhere, so I decided to head home and try again. It really knocked my confidence. But Ron’s kind words helped: I mustn’t beat myself up for wobbling, because I didn’t fail – I got on that plane, even though on the bus to Heathrow I nearly stayed on it and went home.
There were silver linings: a fantastic dinner the night before, recommended by a fellow supper club host in Chicago, and an architecture boat cruise up the river with Jared and Eileen. Puffy eyes, but I’m still smiling. (And yes – I did go back and do it all properly!)