We really did have Fun. It has taken awhile to get to it because I had to jump right back into the busy craziness of getting a show off the ground. whew...
The King Tut exhibit was just great--see it if you can! The Field Museum is just plain fun. We stuck to the African animals--very short on time...It is like going to the Zoo or Wild Animal Park but getting to see the animals up close and personal! Some people do not like "stuffed" animals, and these have all gone through the hands of excellent taxidermists, but all the animals were already in captivity when they died, with a few notable exceptions. Then we found a motel to sleep a few exhausted hours before the Cubs game. It was a lot of fun for the kids--and the Cubs won, too! [As I hate baseball, I opted to stay in the room and sleep. Needed and fun for me!]
There were a pair of "Man-Eating lions" from Africa. They explained the whole story. Apparantly these two lions got a taste for humans during a time of famine, and kept at it for a lengthy period of time. Finally, they were tracked down and killed. The taxidermists did a fabulous job--no bullet marks at all, but to do so required reducing the size of these two lions. If this is their "reduced" size--trust me, no one would want to meet up with the full-sized lion at any time or place!
The next day we went to Marshall Field's, not to shop but to explore and it was fun! I was so wicked! I rode the escalators as much as I wanted--no sales lady was going to report me to my Grandma! As I mentioned: no hat! no gloves! no socks! no skirt--pants instead! In Downtown Chicago!!! at Marshall Field's!!! I know the kids were not as delighted with the afternoon there as was I, but they did enjoy it, too. Also, Erica got a present for Dallin, even tho we planned to buy nothing. Once we have a new address, it'll go in the mail.
Finally, in a repeat of our Chicago visit of a few years ago, we opted to eat at The Rain Forest Cafe'. [Ever get there, Laurel?]I know there are three in the Greater Chicago area now, and others elsewhere, but for those not in the know:
It is a "rainforest" complete with erupting volcano [periodically] a waterfall, monkeys that swing, elephants who trumpet and apes that move and make noises, too. All that, and two-story tall aquariums strategically placed. So wherever you are seated, you have a most interesting view. After eating [and getting our "doggie bags"they really stuffed us!] we went into the shop. They have all kinds of rainforest themed anything you can think of! I was a good girl and did not spend a fortune this time, but I'm saving up for the next Chicago trip! Even riding the [free] trolley from parking to the RFC was fun. All in all, I highly recommend Chicago as a fun place to visit. And I must say that Erica proved to be a much better city driver than I. The last time we got hit, and honked at more times than I can count! Erica was only honked at a few times [Of course, she was driving a CRV as opposed to the big van I drove last time.]
Visiting the relatives in MI was fun as well. I always did get on well with that particular sis-in-law and stepbro. I think their kids are delightful, too. Come to find out one is fairly close to us in Indianapolis, so hope to get together again at some point.
Other than the business end of stuff, it was a pretty fun trip. And we made up a new fun travel game. The person in the back seat randomly pointed to a place in the road atlas, announced the name of the town/city, and the others had to guess [and I do mean guess] what state or province it was in. It was really hard! Do you know how many states have a Springfield, for example? And you had to get the right one. First we were going to go up to 5 for a winner. Finally, it was whoever could get one...I won. Therefore it was fun.
We live quite close to the original National Road--Highway 40 [similar to Route 66 now of Cars fame. Tho it took a bit longer than the freeway, we opted to take it from Indianapolis to Columbus. It was worth seeing western OH. I doubt we'll ever do it again in quite the same way. But it was a nice calm drive home that way. Except Richard had to get up at 6:00am to go help clean a river the next day. Erica had to work. And me? I had to get over the depression and jump right back into the Nativity Pageant preparations, but more of that another time.
I love traveling with my kids. I love the making of the memories. I wish everyone was close enough to go--next Sat is the Dublin [OH] Irish Festival. We're going! So, go out and make a memory :)
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Friday, July 21, 2006
Fast
We took a Fast trip to Chicago. In all reality, it is only 6 hrs away. With two drivers, that does go pretty fast. We left approxamately 1:00am so we could arrive about 7:00am to get our tickets and get in. We whizzed through Dayton [nephews I didn't stop to see] Indiannapolis [next time a stop to see a cousin and maybe a nephew] Lafayette [it really would have been nice for us if Ches had gotten the Purdue job] and on into Chicago.
We went directly [via a sort of indirect path] to the Field Museum. I've never approached Chicago from quite that angle before, so missed the Skyway [a road] and bumbled around a bit before finding my way to Lakeshore Drive, upon which lies the Museum Campus. Now, Lakeshore Drive is right along the Lake as name implies, so you just keep heading towards Lake Michigan, and eventually you will find it. We did.
Although it was just a few minutes after 8:00when we reached the lines' front, we still got into the 8:00 tickets--thus making our goal.
This exhibit is from King Tut's Tomb. It began with his family tree [I was hooked] and went through his family and life as explained by items from his tomb. It was really fabulous! I don't know how thrilled Richard was, but he, at least, seemed to enjoy it. Erica seemed, of course, fascinated.
A lunch and bathroom break were definitely in order after finishing King Tut. We sat where we could watch Sue. She is the most comple tyranus rex around, and huge!
After lunch we bumbled around the African and Asian animals areas until completely running out of steam. From there we went out towards O'Hare airport to find inexpensive, but decent lodgings in a safe area for the night. It worked. We slept through the afternoon. Richard and Erica got up to go to a Cubs game [yay Cubbies! We won!] I slept some more. Upon their return, we all had a good night's sleep, then drove into the city the next day to go to Marshall Field's Department Store. But that is a story for Fascinating. Really! So I'll on with Fast for today: Leaving Chicago, we drove quickly though a piece of In and on up into MI where we spent a nice with my step-brother's family in Marcellus. I was hoping to do a little genealogical research in a tiny hamlt called Climax. My sis-in-law called me back for particulars, and when we arrived, she printed out pages drom her genealogically bug-bit aunt, who solved all the question and there was no longer a need to drive up to Climax the next day, so we didn't. Thurs saw a quick visit to Grandma Jan in Mishawaka, IN then back on the road and home by 11:30 pm! And that was with taking the National Road--Hwy 40 rather than I-70 the freeway. It was fun and interesting, but most definitely NOT FAST! So the last little bit we hopped back onto the freeway and home. Sigh.
I think I'm getting too old for fast trips like this.
We went directly [via a sort of indirect path] to the Field Museum. I've never approached Chicago from quite that angle before, so missed the Skyway [a road] and bumbled around a bit before finding my way to Lakeshore Drive, upon which lies the Museum Campus. Now, Lakeshore Drive is right along the Lake as name implies, so you just keep heading towards Lake Michigan, and eventually you will find it. We did.
Although it was just a few minutes after 8:00when we reached the lines' front, we still got into the 8:00 tickets--thus making our goal.
This exhibit is from King Tut's Tomb. It began with his family tree [I was hooked] and went through his family and life as explained by items from his tomb. It was really fabulous! I don't know how thrilled Richard was, but he, at least, seemed to enjoy it. Erica seemed, of course, fascinated.
A lunch and bathroom break were definitely in order after finishing King Tut. We sat where we could watch Sue. She is the most comple tyranus rex around, and huge!
After lunch we bumbled around the African and Asian animals areas until completely running out of steam. From there we went out towards O'Hare airport to find inexpensive, but decent lodgings in a safe area for the night. It worked. We slept through the afternoon. Richard and Erica got up to go to a Cubs game [yay Cubbies! We won!] I slept some more. Upon their return, we all had a good night's sleep, then drove into the city the next day to go to Marshall Field's Department Store. But that is a story for Fascinating. Really! So I'll on with Fast for today: Leaving Chicago, we drove quickly though a piece of In and on up into MI where we spent a nice with my step-brother's family in Marcellus. I was hoping to do a little genealogical research in a tiny hamlt called Climax. My sis-in-law called me back for particulars, and when we arrived, she printed out pages drom her genealogically bug-bit aunt, who solved all the question and there was no longer a need to drive up to Climax the next day, so we didn't. Thurs saw a quick visit to Grandma Jan in Mishawaka, IN then back on the road and home by 11:30 pm! And that was with taking the National Road--Hwy 40 rather than I-70 the freeway. It was fun and interesting, but most definitely NOT FAST! So the last little bit we hopped back onto the freeway and home. Sigh.
I think I'm getting too old for fast trips like this.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
inFuriating
We've just gotten home from a 3-day trip. It was Fast, Fun and inFuriating. I'll adress other aspects later, but the last just now.
Advice to those who expect to die someday: Put ALL your wishes in writing. Give a copy to every one of your children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren [as they reach adulthood]. Give a copy to your spouse as well as to previous spouses [if applicable] Living parents, grandparents, siblings, all should have their own copy. Most importantly: Do NOT expect anyone to follow your stated wishes unles you have put it in writing. Just because you said it to everyone together so that they are ALL witnesses--forget it!!! And anything said privately may as well have never been said at all.
Take care of all this while you are young. My parents had a metal box--and I always knew where-- and it contained wills, and instructions for us kids: that we would go to live with my mom's brother to be raised. I always found that knowledge comforting. I am sad that I didn't provide my children with the same amount of security always, tho. things were always diliniated.
I need to redo my paperwork now that the kids are getting older, and give a copy to everyone! I don't think that amounts matter as much as following the person's expressed wishes. So, EXPRESS THEM!
Advice to those who expect to die someday: Put ALL your wishes in writing. Give a copy to every one of your children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren [as they reach adulthood]. Give a copy to your spouse as well as to previous spouses [if applicable] Living parents, grandparents, siblings, all should have their own copy. Most importantly: Do NOT expect anyone to follow your stated wishes unles you have put it in writing. Just because you said it to everyone together so that they are ALL witnesses--forget it!!! And anything said privately may as well have never been said at all.
Take care of all this while you are young. My parents had a metal box--and I always knew where-- and it contained wills, and instructions for us kids: that we would go to live with my mom's brother to be raised. I always found that knowledge comforting. I am sad that I didn't provide my children with the same amount of security always, tho. things were always diliniated.
I need to redo my paperwork now that the kids are getting older, and give a copy to everyone! I don't think that amounts matter as much as following the person's expressed wishes. So, EXPRESS THEM!
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