Travel & Visitors Guide - Jan. 26, 2008
All my ideas have run out -- and I’m screwed
As I write this, I’m speeding north on Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service from Chicago. I’ve found the ride perfect for writing a 500-word blog. It’s an hour and a half; I can plug in my laptop and the crush of humanity that surrounds me makes for good social observation.
Tags: train, amtrak, writers block

Travel & Visitors Guide - Aug. 13, 2007
The Bike Writer: The trip back home
Another rain delay. Strong storms moving through Chicago and Indiana. Lightning and thunder and some local flooding. My goal is to bike through Chicago to Kenosha, about 114 miles today ... and, possibly make it to my sister’s house in Franklin.
Tags: biking, gary, chicago, train, bike, kenosha, steffes

Politics - April 25, 2006
Opinion: Milwaukee needs The Milwaukee Connector
Visit any large city in America and you can expect to see an efficient, modern and innovative transportation system in action. Simply put, Milwaukee isn't delivering. But it could ... and here's how you can help.
Tags: Milwaukee Connector, light rail, transit, train, government, Common Council, Baumann, transportation

Politics - April 21, 2006
Opinion: First transit chairman seeks quick rail links
The man who was recently tabbed as the first chairman of the new Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority would like to see Milwaukee connected with Kenosha and all points south by rail within two years.
Tags: WisPolitics, Metra, train, transit, light rail, Chicago, Kenosha, Ostby, Shook, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority, RTA, SEWISTRA

Travel & Visitors Guide - May 2, 2005
Empire Builder cuts a path through Wisconsin
Gregg Hoffmann takes a look at the Empire Builder train, its history and possible demise along with the rest of Amtrak in this Beyond Milwaukee column.
Tags: train, amtrak, railroad, empire builder, la crosse