Here's why I missed a week...

Dave and I left OKC on July 1st and drove to Illinois, arriving at my sister and brother in law's house in Naperthrill on July 2nd.

I did not blog that Sunday morning because we woke  up in a moderately crappy motel in Springfield, IL, and wanted to get our free, crappy breakfast and get on the road.

During our days on vacation, we got to eat all of the things.... Culver's (on the way up, in Springfield, MO), Italian Beef sandwiches, deep dish pizza, Greek food, and Maid Rite sandwiches (on they way back in Springfield, IL).  Dave says he didn't gain any weight.

I gained three pounds.

We got to see all of my Illinois family, but just a few friends.

We got to go to a Cubs game.

I got to rehearse dance with my original dance troupe, so we can perform together when they come to OKC in October.

It was a much more relaxed trip this time.  After our spring from hell, I decided NOT to try to fit in a visit with EVERYONE.  This time, we needed to just freaking RELAX.

We both really needed to get away, and to NOT stress over anything, for a few days.

There were some low spots.... such as parts of the Cubs game day.

My brother in law had used a service called "Spot hero" to get a parking spot near the ball park.  My sister has arthritis in her knees, and has some trouble walking long distances.

When we pulled into the alley where the spot was located, there was a garbage truck ahead of us, and 2 or 3 cars as well.  We sat there for a good 45 minutes, as the garbage truck slowly moved up.

When we got to our $42 parking spot, there was a car in it.

Jim called Spot Hero's customer service phone number (thank goodness they DO THAT), and they assigned us a new spot somewhere else, farther away.

They refunded him the fee for the filled spot, and charged him a lot less for the replacement spot.

But, by that time, another garbage truck pulled in BEHIND us.  We were now completely trapped in the alley.

I thought Jim was going to blow a gasket.

Fortunately, the second truck pulled back out of the alley after a few minutes, and we were able to back out and change to our new spot.   Thank goodness, no other cars had pulled in behind us.

The new spot was in an empty lot under the EL tracks.  NO ONE was there.... so we pulled right in, and hoofed it to a nearby place with a bathroom (since we'd been sitting in the car for almost 2 hours), then on to Wrigley Field.

We missed batting practice, but we DID get there in time to get our bobble heads!!

It was brutally hot where we were sitting, in direct sun, with little to no breeze, all the way down in the front rows behind the first base line, at the close end of the tarp.

The seats down there are small, and share armrests. Even we, who are reasonably-sized people, could not sit in a seat without being touched by the people on either side of us.

They were GREAT seats!!!  But there was no mercy from the sun and body contact.  It was somewhat claustrophobic.

I thought I was going to pass out a couple of times, and I was literally dripping and soaked with sweat.

We went to the inside-the-park gouge - I mean gift - shop, and bought me a HIGHLY overpriced, white, light weight t shirt to change into....but I still had to miss parts of the game just to get away from the packed seats and the sun.

The forecast had said cooler by the lake, but it was not cooler by the lake.  It was 90 with 90% humidity.

There was a nice breeze inside, for some reason, though, and I was able to avoid passing out by taking frequent breaks, and standing in the tunnel under the next section up.

Dave also had issues with the crowds, but we had some medication with us, and he ended up doing okay.

All in all, it was a great time, and the Cubs won, which is not happening as frequently this season as it did last season, so it was a treat!

The other low spot (at least for me) was that we didn't get to go hiking at Fullersburg Nature Preserve.  I had really wanted to do that, but the day that brought that chance was extremely hot and humid.  I already had a lingering head ache from game day, and didn't want to turn it into a migraine.

So we walked at Herrick Lake, which was a place my dad had liked to fish, way back when.

It was a short walk, and mostly shaded.   

We also tried to go visit the horses at Danada Horse Farm, but they were all eating, and couldn't be bothered to turn around and say "hi."  We got to look at their rear ends.

On they way back down through Illinois, we made an impromptu stop at New Salem.  I had not been there within memory. I know I was there when I was very small...but not since.

Then, a stop in Springfield, IL for Maid Rites and Pease's chocolate, which has almost doubled in price.  These may be the last Pease's I ever buy.  I hope they don't drive themselves out of business.

The motel in Springfield, MO on they way back to Oklahoma wasn't just moderately crappy, it was a HOLE.  The toilet was not attached firmly to the floor, and all of its parts moved... the seat was loose, the handle was loose, the tank was loose..... It felt like the whole thing was going to fall apart every time we used it.

The carpet was damp, and the towels smelled like mildew.  

But it was quiet, despite our room being directly off of the parking lot AND pool, and we did both sleep Friday night.

We got home around 3 yesterday, and unpacked and chilled.

We have spent the last three weekends in the car.  First, the Colorado trip for my Aunt's memorial, then to Chicago, then back from Chicago.

I estimate about 48 road hours, and travel over 6 states. 

Time for a break.

The fridge and freezer are mostly empty, so off to the grocery store we go.

Have a good weekend, and GO CUBS!