Fun

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 :)