Saturday, August 13, 2011
It POURED today in the city, and luckily it started right before I was supposed to leave so I was able to hide out until the rain slowed a bit. Then I was off to visit a friend in the south part of Chicago.
First I stopped off at the Vespa dealer, which had just closed but Derek, one of the mechanics, stayed later and sewed my saddle bag that completely dissolved the second day I used it. I talked with him and the owner for a while, and they offered me both a beer and a joint. I declined both for lots of reasons, but it made me laugh nonetheless. They have been such great guys, and have helped me with so many things. They invited me to Race Day in South Haven, where they'd teach me the mechanics of, well, racing, and then we'd take a go at the track. They thought it'd be hilarious; I think so too; but if I am not quite sure I'll have an entire day to devote to that. We'll see.
The traffic was miserable, and I haven't yet gotten the courage (or stupidity) to zip around cars in order to beat the traffic. So I sat on Halsted (which had a festival today) FOR-EV-ER before I made it out of Wrigleyville. Glad to be stopped for the night, and am praying that my Vespa is safe on the street where I've had to leave it.
Night, all!
First I stopped off at the Vespa dealer, which had just closed but Derek, one of the mechanics, stayed later and sewed my saddle bag that completely dissolved the second day I used it. I talked with him and the owner for a while, and they offered me both a beer and a joint. I declined both for lots of reasons, but it made me laugh nonetheless. They have been such great guys, and have helped me with so many things. They invited me to Race Day in South Haven, where they'd teach me the mechanics of, well, racing, and then we'd take a go at the track. They thought it'd be hilarious; I think so too; but if I am not quite sure I'll have an entire day to devote to that. We'll see.
The traffic was miserable, and I haven't yet gotten the courage (or stupidity) to zip around cars in order to beat the traffic. So I sat on Halsted (which had a festival today) FOR-EV-ER before I made it out of Wrigleyville. Glad to be stopped for the night, and am praying that my Vespa is safe on the street where I've had to leave it.
Night, all!
DAY 13 Map
View Larger Map
I'll leave for Day 14 driving probably tomorrow, or early Monday morning. Haven't quite decided. It's been fun driving in Chicago, but a little crazy - you have to be so ON all the time, watching every intersection and every alley and every car to make sure they see you. It is very mentally tiring and it'll be nice to get out of the city again. But the weather has held up so far and I'm hoping it'll be clear skies tomorrow.
Friday, August 12, 2011
College for Officers Training in Chicago
Motoworks Chicago
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I Love Technology
Just a note: I reviewed my blog after I had posted for these past two days and the photos are really out of order and some aren't even showing up. So, if a caption is confusing, there's probably something missing that would explain it. I'll try to sort it out once I'm in Chicago and at a computer. Sorry about that!
Tomorrow, Chicago!
Tomorrow, Chicago!
Shout Out
To John, for hanging out (when he should have been working), for good coffee, and for just generally being fantastic.
Day 12
St Louis, MO to Bloomington, IL. Still not there yet so I gotta get going.
All I can say about today is that it started out great and went downhill fast but still, I am blessed every second I get to be on this trip.
Love to you all!
St Louis Vespa.
Shout Out
New Stuff
Day 11
Spent the night at Steve and Ketsia's house, and hung out with John. Had a great time!
I apologize for the late-ness of this blog. I'm still getting back into the swing of blogging. And I'm in a hurry and on my IPod. Not the best combination.
Good Deeds
This wayward turtle was in the road and I had to stop and get him across.
He's a bit camera shy.
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