wow, what a story and what a journey!  a couple thoughts:

1. Hey, I know that station in Glenview (I live near there!) I drive across those tracks a lot and I'm I'm always secretly hoping a train goes by (even though it slows us down), cuz he loves trains.

2. I've got to go to that museum - sounds awesome. so did the vomit come flying down from up above, too?