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Showing posts from October, 2012
Yes I FINALLY made it here.  I am typing this on my hide-a-bed at my airbnb "home".  Chris and Carolina, my hosts picked me up at the bus depot which was really sweet of them.  I am sad tonight though as late this afternoon I learned of the passing of my Uncle Tony yesterday.  He was 92 and had had a wonderful life but it is still sad to know I will never see him again.  That is selfish I know.  He is out of pain and that is the main thing.  He was a sweetheart and a true English gentleman.  Very quiet and reserved and so intelligent...he was a very lovely man.  And boy will I miss him.  This morning after a breakfast at the hotel I went to the Kentucky history musuem which was so good.  Really enjoyed it.  They also had an exhibition on the civil war and how families were torn apart as some were union supporters and others confederate.  Kentucky is on the border of being midwest and southern.  It is more southern than midwest  - trust me the accents are!  The fellow at t

Good Morning from Kentucky...man is this Groundhog day!

Well this should have been Good Morning from Indianapolis but oh well... Anyway I just phoned Miller Trailways which does the Frankfort to Louisville portion and the fellow told me I can use the same ticket on both portions of the trip.  So that's good news...if it's true.  Can you tell I am cynical? I can see Miller trailways accepting it but Greyhound is a different story.  I also have to double check the times for the local bus - I will probably be hanging out way too long outside the Walmart Super Centre but oh well.  Rather be there early than a repeat of yesterday.  The rain is due to stop around 3 p.m..... I emailed my host in Columbus about my reservation for the weekend and if I get off at the university I can get a free university residence bus that stops a block from their house - works for me!!!  I hate taking taxis.  I am excited to try Megabus.  No reminders of my glass of bourbon last night so that's good. :)  I slept very well thank you!!! I guess ne

Bourbon calms!!!

I went down to the bar and ordered a bourbon on ice which is the recommended way.  The bartender told me I could take it up to my room (did he see the desparate look in my eyes and he didn't want a brawl in the bar?) up I came.  Bourbon on it's own?  Not so good.  So I went down to the vending  machine and got a coke and it's going down very nicely thank you.  Another thing to go on my "60 new things" list... I am trying to look at the positive but man oh man Thursday in Indianapolis I will need roller skates to do everything I want to do....hopefully the walk goes by some of the places.  I do want to visit the history museum there as well.  I love learning more about the places I visit.  One week from today is the election.  I am getting way too involved.  Guess what side I am on?  Let's ee...I believe in freedom of choice, planned parenthood, affordable healthcare, hate religion being involved with politics.  (I hate religion period but that's anothe

AAARRRRGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!!  AND DOUBLE SHIT!!!  And no apologies for my language either.  I MISSED MY BUS!!!   My taxi was late - well it never showed up.  I asked the gal at the desk today when I should order my taxi and she said 4 p.m. as it "only takes a minute".  I ordered it at 3:45 and it still hadn't shown up at 4:25 - my bus left at 4:30!!!   I figured even with a five minute drive or so I would still probably miss it and have the cost of a taxi there and back. The gal at the desk (a different one) kept phoning for me and was so sweet about it.  She kept apologizing - I said it's not your fault.  I would have taken the bus except for the rain.  So now I am stuck in Kentucky another night!!!  There is no bus until the same time tomorrow.  Sure I could bus it to Louisville tomorrow morning but there are no lockers at the bus depot in Lousville so I would be trapped there all day.  And get this...turns out I should have booked the taxi last night.  There are two taxi c

A belly full of pies

Yes my belly is full. I am here I am at the Frankfort public library.  I just came from Rick's WhiteLight Diner which was fun. This place was featured on Diners and Dives on the Food Network.  I had crawfish pie with a side of mashed sweet potatoes. Something different for sure- cajun and not Kentuckian but that is okay. It was different but good....something new to try and put on my "60 new things" list.  There really was not much to it so I had Kentucky bourbon pie for dessert - caramel and pecans infused with Buffalo Trace bourbon with cream on top.Delish.  That is my meal for the day to be sure. (Dena:  pictures to follow!) This morning I stopped for coffee and a tiny ham biscuit at the same coffee shop as yesterday.  I love it. Then I explored the Frankfort museum which was excellent. For those who care Johnny Depp lived here from age 3 to 10.  "Dreamer" was filmed here.  It is drizzling out and very chilly.  The space bar on this keyboard is

Hi y'all from Kentucky

Well I survived the over night bus trip - actually the bus trip itself was fine.  I dozed off a bit and we moved ahead an hour to eastern time which helped.  I had a three hour layover in Louisville but could not go out for breakfast nor do a short walk as I had planned as no lockers for my luggage and it was pitch dark when we arrived.  I did not want to be wandering around with all my luggage in an area I didn't know.  So I had breakfast at the bus depot which was okay but it was a long wait.  An hour bus ride and I was here in Frankfort.  My longest bus trip this time around is over.  The bus stopped at Walmart at the same place as the local bus and how lucky is this - right before the once an hour local bus was due.  So for 25 cents (yes, I nearly fainted too)  I got dropped a block away from the hotel!  The hotel I am in is very nice - well nice for my standards.:)  It has a king sized bed  and I have a lovely view of the river and park.  Unfortunately the weather is not goo

Hallowe'en party at Wicker Park

I couldn't decide what to do today but decided I wanted to do something a bit different. I found a self guided walking tour of Wicker Park (a neighbourhood in Chicago) on Frommers.com. So off I went on the bus and "l" train - luckily it was on the blue line which is the line from this area.   I started off on the walk and first stop was Wicker Park (the local park)  - lots of activity!!  It turns out they were having a Hallowe'en party complete with costume parade for kiddies and an hour later one for dogs!!  Well you know which one I preferred!  The kids one was fun too though - the kids were in costumes which made them cute and I didn't have to interact with them, just take photos - even better. In between the two "parades" (which consisted of walking around the fountain a couple of times) I walked around the area and saw some fabulous mansions.  This area was settled by European immigrants - wealthy ones built homes here as they were not welcom

A shopoholic hits the shops - NOT

Well this morning I had a later start being as I was tired and could not decide what I wanted to do.   All I knew was that I wanted to have breakfast out and beyond that...In the end I went to the Burgundy Restaurant which is about six blocks away and had french toast with bacon and sausage.  Yum.  From there I took the bus down to the HIP which stands for the Harlem-Irving Plaza.  Yes I went shopping.  I had hopes of getting a new cardigan or hoody but nothing jumped out and said buy me.  At first I saw a lot of things I wanted but then realized are you really worth dragging home.  There was a Bath and Body Works which was a total surprise and can you believe I walked in and walked out empty handed.  Only because I know I will be going to one in St. Louis and then again in Vancouver.  I checked out all the new scents so I can swoop in and get what I want when the time is right.  I don't want to be dragging that stuff around with me for the next two weeks. (and yippee next Spring t

Screech screech!!! Aaaaooooooooooooooo!!!!

Just back from the Haunted House and it was fun.  Dru drove us over to St. Pascal's school and luckily we got there early - they were having a reduced price tonight of $5 so it was going to be crowded.  We had to wait about 45 minutes before we actually got in but they kept moving us around to different places so it didn' get boring.  The Haunted House was in the basement of the school...a very old school.... Then it began....I let Dru lead as I am a chicken at heart and she had helped build the set years back so knew the set up - sort of.  All sorts of creatures of the night (as well as some scary clowns)  jumping out but of course she was the first one so got most of it. :)  However we had to duck down and walk under some pipes for a while and then walk through the middle of this sponge thing which was bizarre. What freaked me out was the total darkness at times - obviously I am a scaredy cat of the dark!!!  I know I am claustrophobic and I did feel everything closing in on

Beautiful Oak Park

Well this morning I headed over to Oak Park to do the 5 km walk.  The sun was shining, it was warm...despite a strong wind that brought the clouds in earlier than predicted.  Anyway...it was a lovely walk.  I think I was more impressed with the beautiful old Victorian houses decorated for Hallowe'en than the Prairie style houses of Frank Lloyd Wright although they were interesting.  It is a lovely area but of course you need major bucks to live in those huge houses.  I'd rather live simply and travel thank you!!!  Afterwards I stopped off at Whole Foods market and got some fresh squash soup and fresh fruit.  A simple supper tonight of soup and a baguette with cut up cheddar cheese.  And fruit for dessert!!!  Delicious! I had lunch at Delia's which had been recommended by the tourism office...sad to say I was not impressed and I will leave it at that.  I hate when I waste my money on food I don't enjoy that much.  I picked up a couple of little goodies at Whole Foo

A busy day

What a full day!!!  After breakfast and walkies I headed out - bus and train as usual. While I was waiting for the bus a 30ish fellow said to me "you look just like my aunt".  I thought "huh"?  And then I realized I have a niece who is turning 40 next month and then thought "okay".  It's always a shock to think I am 60 years old as inside I feel like I am in my 20's.  My parents used to tell me that and I would think "yeah right - you're OLD" but it's so true!!  Anyway...  I got off at the Monroe stop and walked over to the Crown fountain on Michigan Avenue.  I can't even begin to describe this Fountain - two screens with faces on that has water running down and once in a while they will "spit" out the water. (missed that this morning)  Really different.  This morning one screen was being cleaned.   Usually there are children playing in the water but being early morning on a Wednesday it was very quiet - I wa

A little bit of history

Today I went to the Chicago History Museum which was so interesting.  I really enjoyed it.  Everything from how it got it's name (French version of the Indian name " shikaakwa" meaning wild leek) to the neighbourhoods of today with everything in between. (the Chicago fire - NOT caused by Mrs. O'Leery's cow,  Al Capone and gang, the riots at the Democratic convention, etc.)  Even the bed that Abraham Lincoln died on !!!  (and I am a ghoul so had to take a picture)  At $14 the price was a bit steep but I really haven't spent much money since I've been here so I did not mind.   I got "peckish" while there as I did not have much of anything for breakfast so I had a goat cheese and pepper omelette with o'brien potatoes with peppers.  Very good even if I was burping up peppers for the rest of the afternoon.  I had read the cafe there is good and quite reasonable and it was both.  I took the bus, the subway and the bus to get there...it was kind o

When things don't quite work out as planned...

As indicated in my previous post I had high hopes for today....well here I sit just after 2 p.m..... After Casper's walk I headed off to the bus stop and had just changed busses on Harlem for the trip south when it hit me "did I turn off the coffee maker".  Come on, we've all had that.  Except when you are living in someone else's house it becomes a bit more of a concern. (even if there is a fire hall across the street...)  So back and came and you can guess it...the coffee maker was off.   However I could not recall turning it off at all.  Sigh... Anyway back I went - busses all came on time but as the bus headed south the sky darkened and just as I walked into the Oak Park Visitor Centre the whole place shook with thunder.  Hmm...anyway I signed in and got a map and a visitor guide decided to start out.  Needless to say I did not get far before the rain pelted down.  Now I don't mind walking in showers - in fact sometimes it can be quite pleasant - but n

Hmmm....what will I do today?

I must admit I am loving this part of my trip.  Getting up each day and thinking "hmm...what will I do today"?  The rest of my trip is pretty well planned (WALK!) but my time in Chicago is on a day by day thing.  I am thinking today I will take the bus over to Oak Park and probably do the 5 km walk. My feet were pretty sore last night so want to give them a break today. Especially after recent events.  And I don't want to leave Casper for too long today either.  He was a really good boy yesterday while I was gone however.    I do want to see as much as possible as well so it's a tough call.  Oak Park is known for it's Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and a friend has done the walk and loved it.  I couldn't do it yesterday as the visitor centre is only open Monday to Friday. (which has changed since it was published on line)  So not sure on whether it will be a 5 or 10 k.  It is supposed to rain later today so want to get out there while the weather is good. 

Beautiful day by the lake

What a fab day!  After breakfast I took Casper for a walk and then took off for downtown.  Just missed my bus so took the opportunity to get a bottle of water while waiting for the next one.  Once I got to Jefferson Park station luckily I didn't have to wait long for the subway to take me downtown.  As I was walking to the hostel to start the walk I saw a Garrett's popcorn store so popped in to buy some Chicago blend - caramel popcorn and cheese popcorn together in a bag.  Delish!  I had it last year and loved it.  I signed in for the 11 km Lake Front walk then headed off.  As I was crossing Michigan Avenue I kept seeing all these people with the coolest medals. (monster heads!)  Turns out there was a "monster dash" today.   It ws a 5, 7, 10 k and a half marathon.  I'd have loved to have done the 5 k anyway.  Oh well.   Anyway I walked over to the Field museum and Planetarium and started my walk north along Lake Michigan.  What a beautiful day!  Sunshine a

Hallowe'en decorations

One thing I have learned is that the U.S. goes a bit more overboard at Hallowe'en than we Canadians do.  Or I think they do...I must admit most of my life is lived downtown and not in the suburbs so who knows really.  On Casper's second walk today I took along my point and shoot and pointed and shot some of the following pictures.  Casper kept himself busy watering every tree.  I am sure I will see even more elaborate decorations as my wanderings take me around more of this city. 

It's just you and me kid!!

Well Casper's mommy is off to Florida.  I drove the car back from the metro station and its' safely parked in the garage.  (whew!)  I really don't like driving other people's cars.  Of course the traffic was nothing but I had to take my foot off the gas when I realized I was going almost 40 mph - NOT 40 km an hour!!!  One of those "oh shit" moments!!!  Casper ate his breakfast and is happily having a nap.  After I have my breakfast it's walkies time!  Today is Casper day and I am staying in with him to spoil him and get him adjusted to life with just me.  Last night we went out for stuffed spinach pizza which was really good.  There is one piece left over which will be lunch and then left over ribs for supper.  So a pretty lazy day for today I'd say except for walkies with Casper.  Reading, surfing the 'net and watching movies.  Probably my last restful day of the trip and then my inner tourist takes over and I will start exploring tomorrow.