A Snowy Day in Chicago Town

I went with Richard again this weekend to Chicago.  We took the train up (since the untimely demise of Dimples we have become very protective of geriatric Betsy). And we were VERY glad to be on the train as the weather got worse and worse.

 Where the train tracks paralleled the interstate we could see the luckless cars plowing through heavy snow and ice at 30 mph, where they weren't spun off the road with flashing police lights. About this time last year we were driving to Chicago in snow and ice conditions when our car lost traction and started spinning across the interstate lanes in a 360-in front of a Semi truck.  I can still remember the feeling of utter terror. Remember gripping Richard's hand and thinking randomly "I might die sooner than I planned..." Remember the the massive headlights of the truck bearing down thru the windows of the whirling car and thinking "there's no way he can stop in time." And then we were off the road and slipping down the slight slope, finally coming to a rest, facing the direction we had been going.  After a few, shocked, breathless moments gaping at each other, Richard re-started the car and carefully drove us back up the slope to the interstate once again. There we stopped to say a prayer of gratitude that God had spared our lives, and our car, before slowly starting to travel onward, waving the Semi (who had stopped on the side) to continue on as well. What a wonderful car Dimples was. So many memories to miss. Tonight, traveling in the secure warmth of the train I was supremely grateful to have been spared the white-knuckled 300 mile trip.

Arriving in Chicago, we determinedly donned our snow boots and headed off on the 1.5 mile trek from the train station to the hotel (Hyatt on Michigan, courtesy of priceline!). The city was covered in 6-10 inches of snow, most of the roads still unplowed, and sidewalks unshoveled.  We were extremely grateful Richard had looked up the weather and made the last minute call to have me sprint by our house on the way to pick him up for the train, just to snag the snowboots.

It was a beautiful, surreal city landscape to be trekking through, trundling our trusty little $25 dollar special rolly duffle bag along behind. Well, alternating been rolling it and using it as a mini snow plow of sorts.  Between the cobblestone streets of Prague, Vienna and Edinburgh, the metro stations of Paris, and now Chicago snowstorms, that thing has survived far, far more than it's manufacturer's warrantee ever envisioned for it. I think that whether you are a human being or a 'clearance special' luggage item, we generally underestimate our ability to handle tough conditions until we are placed in them.  And it is not always the Cadillac versions that come through shining. Instead it's usually the prosaic, unexpected, duffle bags of humanity that offer a heroic side.

Waxing philosophic aside, the Hyatt was FABULOUS.  I'm not quite sure what the front desk made of our 'trendy on top' (my new Christmas coat!) lumberjack on bottom with our battered luggage selves, but it must have been good. Because they gave us a room on one of the top floors with a fabulous view of the river and a King bed (not usual Priceline customer amenities). It was lovely to sleep in Saturday morning as well, while Richard went to class. Usually when we drive we stay in the suburbs to avoid parking fees, so it's an early morning for both of us.  Today I could sleep in, watch tv, luxuriously fix my hair and put on make up, and casually stroll over to the school at noon. Ahhhh, hedonism.

One last video just outside our hotel down by the river. I look a little mentally disturbed, sorry. Didn't know Richard was filming and I was trying to get my frosty breath captured in a picture.