Time for another trip!

We had to get up awfully early for our 7:00 AM flight, but so it goes. We quickly got dressed, brushed our teeth, and after making sure things were turned off and whatnot off we went. Because we were using the long term parking we took the big mobile — we figure it’s just better than taking the EV for things like this. The ride was quick and easy: no traffic at 3:40 in the morning, and we were in the garage at 4:30. My eyes were not happy, but I figured I could sleep on the plane.

We took the train (what IS that thing called?) to the airport, checked our luggage (more on that in a moment), and quickly made it through security. Then on to the lounge we went for a brief time. But what is this?! Paper cups for our coffee. Sigh. Not classy, United. We had little breakfasts … unusual for me, but since I wasn’t sure when I’d next be eating it seemed wise to have a bit so scrambled eggs it was.

Okay … checked luggage. Yeah, sometimes we do that instead of all carryon. It’s just sort of easier to not lug all our stuff on to the plane. Anything of major importance, though, does go with us.

Quite soon it was time to get to the gate and be ready to board. I was surprised to see Books Inc. at the airport. Gee, I worked at one a lifetime ago!

As we were standing in line to board they called Dan. Well, really they called George since that’s his actual first name. I said, “You’re going to get to move up to business class!” (We had put in for upgrades using points.) He said he wouldn’t take it if I didn’t move up as well, but I said, “Go for it!” When he came back he handed me a ticket and said that I was moving up. How ‘bout that?! I was completely surprised. As I told him, though, I guess we could call this a birthday present. (Tomorrow is the Big Day.)

So I sat in a nice seat. Had orange juice before departure. Ordered yet another breakfast (yogurt this time … keeping it simple). And I just relaxed. Poor Dan was a few rows back. And yes, I felt guilty.

Then off we went!

Side note: after going into airplane mode I realized we never even told our children we were going on this trip. Or at least I don’t remember telling them! Oops!

And about this trip: quite some time ago Greg and Jan mentioned they’d be going on a trip and would we like to join them for my birthday. Well of course! So tickets were purchased, both for the flights, for an opera, and for a symphony concert. But due to a snafu, Greg and Jan had to bag the trip. I had already booked an apartment for the four of us so that was canceled, as were two of the symphony tickets (bravo to Chicago Symphony for doing a full refund!). In addition two opera tickets were exchanged for a later date for Greg and Jan. And we shortened our trip. (Now readers know why I wrote my earlier post about changes and learning to deal with that sort of thing.)

So the flight: smooth. No issues. Just napped a bit, played my jigsaw puzzle, started writing this, and relaxed.

After landing I think we had to taxi for about a million hours. Or maybe it was 25 minutes, but it sure felt like a long time. There’s a ton of construction going on at the airport, and I assume that’s the issue.

After getting our luggage we went to find the Blue Line and took the train in to the city. And there we were. Hello Chicago! We checked in, got settled in our little rather bare bones hotel, and then had some crisps (it was a pub, after all) and some non-alcoholic beers. Then we walked for a while, going past the Symphony Center, seeing the Art Institute across the street, and then a bit more wandering.

Eventually we circled back and went to the Russian Tea Time restaurant. They serve more than tea … and it was delicious! The price is quite decent as well. And then we were completely stuffed.

We ambled back to our hotel, and now I’m ending this post. We’ve been up for a pretty long time and my brain is rather fried! (In fact, please pardon any poor sentences, bad spelling … any and all goofs I make!)

Greg and Jan, we miss you! Just had to tell you that. 🩷

Tomorrow is a sort of big day. For me anyway. Stay tuned!