I am very glad that we made this trip. I hope that both the kids will have good memories of it in years to come. There were no arguments or fusses about anything. I realize now what a huge world we live in, and that there is no way I can see it all in the short time I have here. I believe that heaven will be so much more-- and there will be eternity to explore it!
It was hard driving over 4300 miles—next time I hope to share the driving. There will be a next time! I am grateful for cell phones, GPS, coffee at convenience stores, digital cameras, internet – these are only a few things that we didn't have 40 years ago when I traveled as a child!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Days 12 and 13- Returning Home
I decided to drive hard for two days and get home Saturday night. Carol really wanted to go to church Sunday, and I called Jackie Larison, my niece-in-law, and she said they would be delighted to put us up at their home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. We woke up to a beautiful cool morning Friday, and got on the road fairly quickly, but it took a long time to get out of Chicago. The traffic is bad and the freeways are confusing. Finallly, we were on the interstate, only to have two long delays due to construction. Fortunately, the weather was nice, and when we got near Heber Springs, enjoyed a beautiful sunset in the hills. Even though the visit was short, the hospitality at Travis and Jackie's was wonderful—included a nighttime driving lesson for the not to be mentioned 15 year old, and Millenium crunch ice cream. Their four year old son, Jackson, was fascinated by my video of Niagara Falls, and I enjoyed him very much.
The last leg of the trip, 542 miles to home, was hard. Torrential rain fell starting in Little Rock, and drizzle and more torrential rain around Jefferson, Texas, made for lots of sore shoulder muscles. We finally arrived home, safe and sound, around 7 pm. Johnny had started the bath water for me and it was wonderful!
The last leg of the trip, 542 miles to home, was hard. Torrential rain fell starting in Little Rock, and drizzle and more torrential rain around Jefferson, Texas, made for lots of sore shoulder muscles. We finally arrived home, safe and sound, around 7 pm. Johnny had started the bath water for me and it was wonderful!
Day 11- Chicago
Everybody slept late and enjoyed a leisurely morning. Since Rachel is in the process of moving, we made a couple of trips and I got to see where she will be living for the next three months until her marriage. It is a very nice upstairs apartment in another old house. Beautiful-all hardwood floors and very solid. Then we ordered pizza from Apart, recommended by one of Rachel's roommates, Amy Jenson. They are famous for there high quality thin crust pizza, and with good reason. It was excellent! I got a personal vegetarian pizza with corn, tomatoes, artichoke, and spinach. Yum. After we sat around and talked and let it digest, we walked about 10 minutes to Margie's Candies, which is an ice cream restaurant which also sells chocolate candy. It was quite unique. I got a scoop of coffee and one of coconut. Rachel and Amy got sundaes, and Carol got a huge ice cream soda, which she couldn't quite finish. A light rain was falling as we walked back, and we all had a very good time together.
Day 10- Chicago
The day started out with me making bad coffee. I am not used to grinding the beans and I didn't use enough. I figured it had to get better. Rachel had to work for 6 hours today, so after she left, I bought gas @ $2.94/gal, got the oil changed, found the laundromat, and went to the grocery store. Then I went “home” and made two pans of blueberry muffin cake. Then, feeling adventurous, I found the nearest library with the GPS and Carol and I set off. It was about a mile, and it was a long one. We found it, stayed about an hour so we could catch up on internet stuff, and then of course had to walk back.
The weather is absolutely gorgeous- in the 70's and clear.
So when Rachel got home, we packed up all the food (she had made her “famous” chicken quesadillas) and headed for the train station. I rode the train a couple of years ago, but it was still an adventure. Most of the trains are elevated, but we took the Blue Line, which goes underground. We got off in downtown, and Rachel led us to our destination- Millenium Park. They were having a free concert and there was quite a crowd. We found Geoffrey, Rachel's fiance, and met his parents, who had driven in from Iowa City for the occasion. We spread out our feast, and it was really good, as was the symphonic music. It was a beautiful night, a beautiful place, and it was quite enjoyable. I had a nice conversation with Marilyn, and hope to get to know her better.
When the concert ended and we said our goodbyes, we stopped and admired “The Bean” before enjoying the sights of downtown at night as we made our way back to the train. I think I must have walked five miles today, and I was glad to get the exercise!
The weather is absolutely gorgeous- in the 70's and clear.
So when Rachel got home, we packed up all the food (she had made her “famous” chicken quesadillas) and headed for the train station. I rode the train a couple of years ago, but it was still an adventure. Most of the trains are elevated, but we took the Blue Line, which goes underground. We got off in downtown, and Rachel led us to our destination- Millenium Park. They were having a free concert and there was quite a crowd. We found Geoffrey, Rachel's fiance, and met his parents, who had driven in from Iowa City for the occasion. We spread out our feast, and it was really good, as was the symphonic music. It was a beautiful night, a beautiful place, and it was quite enjoyable. I had a nice conversation with Marilyn, and hope to get to know her better.
When the concert ended and we said our goodbyes, we stopped and admired “The Bean” before enjoying the sights of downtown at night as we made our way back to the train. I think I must have walked five miles today, and I was glad to get the exercise!
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A road in the Shenandoah Valley
From the internet. I hope to find this kind of beauty
