Photo #4: These are the steps leading up to the Metra train platform at Irving Park and Pulaski. This photo was taken around 7:20am. In Metra’s defense, a large crew, armed with shovels and snow blowers, arrived about five minutes after I did. In retrospect, I wish I had taken a photo of the ADA accessible ramp located a half block down. Clearly people were able to climb these stairs. But if the ramp was still snowed over, someone in a wheelchair might have missed his or her train.

Photo #5: Here’s my bundled up self on the train platform. The takeaway from this photo is that the train wound up being delayed by 20 minutes and it was about 10 degrees fahrenheit. The reason I mention this is many people will advise dressing so that you don’t overheat while riding. I don’t necessarily agree with that. My opinion is when you commute, you dress for the possibility that you have to stand around for extended periods of time. Examples could be a flat tire, a mechanical issue, or in this case, a late train. If I get too warm while riding, I slow down. If I can’t slow down because I'm late, I leave earlier the next time.

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