Traveling Commentary

It hasn't been that long ago since we became empty nesters.  During the children-years, while traveling, all the attention is focused on them---keeping them happy, entertained, fed, pottied, separated, occupied, etc.  Then suddenly they are gone and there are only the two of you.

I remember the first time Gerry and I traveled together as empty nesters. Suddenly here was a guy I didn't know at all.  This was new commentary. I was so surprised to discover what really is going on inside that brain of his.   He especially likes to comment on all the agriculture, wherever we might be--corn fields, soybean fields, occasional cabbage fields, dairy farms and silos and barns, etc.

He also sees the world through the eye of an engineer---by which I mean, he looks at and thinks about how things are made, put together, designed,  how the designs are flawed, and so forth.  He especially loves bridges. 

Yesterday at Navy Pier, he admired all the ships, yachts, sailboats, etc.  He watches ships shove off from the harbor. He even had lots of comments about the architecture.  I watch the people and think about different things  (where is the bathroom?). 

Today's commentry across Illinois and Wisconsin tended toward geological formations.  The quiz of the day:  Can you tell how the terrain is different from NY?  No, tell me.  And of course he did. (it has to do with glaciers millions of years ago)

Instead of french fries in WI, the restaurants serve fried cheese curds. Farms in Wisconsin tend to look neat and orderly.  Barns in Illinois were all white. 

Tomorrow, Minnesota.

I did not take any pictures today.  Here are two from another day.

 

Most Beautiful City!

I love Chicago! If ever I were going to fall in love with a city, this would be the one!  What a gorgeous place?   Why?  The architecture is amazing--a lovely gray and blue sky line; fascinating buildings ;  there are beautiful gardens and flowers at every turn. Trees atop buildings.  Lake Michigan is a magnificent backdrop.  We took the lakeshore architectural boat tour and got to see the city from the lake vantage viewpoint.  It is breathtaking and inspired some of the words to America the Beautiful. (Thine alabaster cities gleam)

 We took a six hour self-guided walking tour and saw most of the main tourist attractions, from Millennium Park  (the equivalent to Central Park) to Navy Pier (the Chicago equivalent of Disneyworld).  There were delightful sights all along the way.  Lovely sculptures.  Endless parks.  
Bicycle carts built for five (family size)
Motorcyclists streaking down the street with life size blow up female dolls in back (wishful thinking)
Tourists from everywhere (no one was speaking English)
On our boat tour, we were the only ones of European descent--mostly Latinos.

Today, we still did not have the exact right accessories--shoes, bags, sunglasses, etc.  But after the first week, we will have mastered this tourist thing!

Pictured below:  Random Flowers;  Random Musicians;  Random Sculptures

 

 

 

 

A Turnpike Day

Today we spent turn-piking it to Chicago---across Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.   Every time we try to enter a city, we remember why it is we don't live in one.  We also learned that neither a TripTik nor a GPS does any good when the streets you need are under construction and blocked off! 

We also learned that if the valet is going to take your car away, to make sure you have everything you want and need out of it  (like your camera!).

Yesterday we did see some lovely sights.  My favorite was the Botanical Garden. 

Trip through the Jungle

 We learned from that experience that we had much rather look at the garden than listen to a guide!

So, at least we are still learning!

Tomorrow we will see the sights of Chicago. 

After St.Paul, Minnesota, the wide open spaces of the west! 

Can't wait!

 

 

 

Rain, Puns and the Zoo

Today has been a gray day indeed, filled with clouds, fog, rain and more persistent rain.

For a while we entertained ourselves playing 'the pun game'.  I read about it in a book.  Two people converse only in puns, along a particular theme.  Ours was "traveling".   Every response has to contain a pun.

N: The next time I go to the dentist, I have to have a route canal.
G:  That should bring lots of smiles.
N:  I hope you don't get tired of this game.
G:  If I do, we can always just rest stop.
N:  Is there no limit to your punning?
G:  Are you ready to exit this game now?
N:  Yes, it is giving me gas.
G:  I can toot the horn.

We laughed our fool heads off for a while!  Maybe we'll try it again, going across Montana, perhaps with an "animal theme".

When we reached our destination--Erie, Pennsylvania, the rain stopped, just in time for us to go to the zoo.  And what a lovely zoo it was!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One could really see the animals, up close and personal.  It was a treat.