Thursday is a day of rest

Today I attempted to rest. It is very hot here (in the 80s) for those of us who live in eternal air conditioning. My windows face the east, so the sun rise appears promptly around 5:30. I will get used to it! That is the "payback" for the great view!

I discovered the neighborhood this morning by running Erins. I brought some clothes that needed dry cleaning, and luckily the dry cleaner is right across the street! Then I hoofed over to Fedex/Kinkos to print out some email items, including my ticket to the Museum of Science and Industry. On the way to Fedex, I realized how incredibly out of shape I am. My dogs were barking and my legs were killing me. I was somewhat surprised, because I do walk with my pals back home and ride the bike. This summer of walking and riding in the city might be very good for me.

Then I was off to the Museum of Science and Industry. It's about 3 blocks away. Not too shabby! They currently have a Harry Potter exhibit that was just terrific. I really enjoyed it, but I missed my two buds Betsy and Don. We always go to the Harry Potter movies together. They would have loved the exhibit too. There is also a nice exhibit on the Internet called Networld. All kinds of items about bits and bytes and the history of the Internet. I think I enjoyed that as much as the little kids who were there did! Finally, I went to the coal mine exhibit. It was terrific. I kept thinking about my grandfather, Edwin Sr., who was a coal miner for the Duquesne coal company. I have his hat with the light on the front. It's in the his desk which I took after Grandma died. I think that he would have been pleased that I visited the coal mine exhibit. He died when I was about 13. He had a stroke when I was about 5 or 6, and I don't really remember him from pre-stroke days. He also had black lung from working in the mine. But he was still pretty cool. He used to call my dad "Honey", which just killed me, since my dad was this great big guy. Very cool.

Even though I was hot and tired, I decided to hit the bike for a ride. That turned out to be sort of a disaster. Here again, you would have sworn that I hadn't ridden in a donkey's age. I was hyperventilating and to top if off, starting drooling. Totally gross. I am, of course, paranoid about having strokes and was sure that the drooling was a sign. But I was able to still ride and compose a sentence in my head, so all was well. I made it about 2 miles each way. The good part is that the bike trail is only about 3 blocks from my digs. I definitely need more bike practice. Maybe I'll blame it on the wind rather than me!

I came back and slept for a while. Then I ponied up and went to Office Depot for a new backpack and a Chicago city map. After that, I slithered over to Walgreen's and got a fan. It's feeling much better in here now. Of course, now that I bought a fan, I bet we'll get a cold front! We don't get an air conditioning unit until June 1. These stores are a couple of blocks away and are extremely convenient. It really should be called My Shopping Center since it has everything necessary for my life: grocery store, bike store, drugstore and office store!

Today's pictures are Mr. Weasley's Ford Anglia from several of the Harry Potter movies (the flying car), and a view from my bike.

A Safe Arrival in the Windy City

On Wednesday, I set off earlier than usual (at 7:00 AM) to avoid arriving in Chicago during rush hour. I was very sleepy as I drove, and stopped several times to wake myself up.

But I only had 400 miles to go, and I did indeed Buck Up (baby).

Driving in the Chicago area was a bit scary, to say the least. The last time that I drove here was probably 25 years ago, and I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it then! Of course, I got lost near the apartment, but I had been studying my Chicago street maps faithfully lately and was able to get back on track quickly.

I hauled all of my stuff into my nice newly furnished studio apartment. I've been making a list of things that I still need. However, I was clever enough to remember to bring some toilet paper...good thing! My view is terrific...Lake Michigan was an absolutely perfect shade of blue today.

I had decided not to bring my old bike, but to get a new one and sell it to some student to recoup some of the costs. So this evening, I slithered off along Lake Shore Drive (me and about 1 million of my new best friends) up to Lakeshore Bike. They made sure that the bike fit me, and I brought it back to my digs. I actually found a good parking space. And guess what? I could even still parallel park! Not something that I do as a rule, by the way. When I lived in Philly, I had to parallel park from time to time, but never in H-town.

Here is something pretty cool: my nephew and his girlfriend had a little boy today. His name is Samuel Edwin. Nice touch on the Edwin, for my bro, my dad, and my granddad that was. My mom is totally psyched about it, as this makes her a great grandma. I guess that I'm a great aunt now. In truth, I've been an aunt since I was 11 years old, so this is an extension. Not necessarily a great one, though!

Today's pictures are from my new apartment and the view from same.

May 19

I set off from Nagocdoches around 9:00 AM, since I tend to get drowsy when I get up earlier. My motel was next to Stephen F. Austin University, which has a very pretty campus. As I drove on US 59, I was amazed at the number of RV parks in that part of the country. More than anyone could count!

I broke the day into little chunks to help occupy the time more effectively. Two hours between stops, and about 240 miles per tank of gas. Actually I got wonderful mileage; about 30 MPG out of my 4year old muscle car. Not too shabby. Being paranoid, I topped off the tank between 1/2 and 1/4.

I believe that I listened to every song by The Who, Paul McCartney, and the Beatles over the course of the day. Fun fact: Keith Moon, who was the drummer for The Who and Mama Cass each died in the same London apartment. By the way, the apartment was owned by Harry Nillson, who sold it soon after. I would have after the first death!

As per a request from one of my buds, I emanated Positive Energy toward Little Rock and Memphis. I also decided that I will stop in Memphis on the way back. Graceland and Beale Street are the main attractions. Perhaps I will also see Cybill Shepherd, who coined one of my personal favorite phrases, "Buck up, baby!"

I did my 600 miles and arrived at Cairo, Illinois. There is absolutely nothing there except the motel. Crossing the bridge over the Mississippi River was pretty cool, though.

Another fun fact: On May 19, 1978, I was graduating from high school. This May 19, I'm on my way to an opportunity that I can't believe yet.

My first day on the road: 5/18

Today I set off on an amazing adventure. Two students and I have a summer internship at the Argonne National Lab, which is outside of Chicago. In the last few days, I have finished up my semester grades, read one half of the names at graduation, and started to pack.

My mom is distressed about my trip, so I will try to keep in touch with her as much as possible.

So this evening I set off. I drove from Houston to Nacogdoches, TX. It's only about 150 miles, but a good start to my trip. I'm parked happily (if wearily) in my motel room and decided to blog.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to get to either Cairo or Benton, IL. Benton might be a bit too ambitious, as this is the first really major solo driving trip that I've done. It will be interesting to see how I hold out.

Two of my way cool friends, Carol and Kay, had a farewell pizza dinner for me. All of us are in the top picture.

More later!