07/26/2026
Farwell, Chicago.
Over the past 7 years, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to reside in the Midwest United States: 4 years in Milwaukee and 3 years in Chicago. Growing up in beautiful San Diego, I always dreamed of the chance to experience another part of the country, and it’s safe to say I lived that dream more than I could have ever imagined.
With deep family roots in the Midwest, it was the most obvious choice, alongside some of my sports team affiliations and, of course, the great train action. Having so many incredible train-watching opportunities at my fingertips, including living with direct trackside views, was something I tried never to take for granted. For a train nerd like me, it was and still is hard to believe.
Leaving my hometown was not the easiest decision, as the culture, weather, lifestyle, scenery, among many others, are vastly different from the San Diego life I knew. Relevant to this page, photography and videography became more of a challenge, as I had to go beyond the comfort of perfect weather and scenery to be creative, helping me grow in this area.
With all that said, I want to thank the many great family members and friends who supported my brief but enjoyable Midwest life. As much as this account and hobby are very inanimate, the real human beings I was lucky to interact with helped make the Midwest truly feel like home. It’s extremely bittersweet to leave the Midwest after these years, as I made so many amazing memories. Thank you to all those who have supported this account throughout the years as well.
Back to my roots in San Diego, for now.
-Coaster Josh
