Over 2600 Miles (or for my Canadian friends 4200 KM) later, I finally arrived in Montreal Monday evening around 8 p.m.! And the first thought that came to my mind was that I will most likely never have to make that drive again! Which just might make my list of things to be grateful for this thanksgiving! It was a LONG drive! But I managed to have a little fun...
I packed up my car last Friday and left provo around 11:30 A.M. I was quite proud of the fact that I managed to fit all my stuff in my car and still see out the back window! Not to mention the passenger seat was also free--except for the little space my mini cooler took up.
I packed up my car last Friday and left provo around 11:30 A.M. I was quite proud of the fact that I managed to fit all my stuff in my car and still see out the back window! Not to mention the passenger seat was also free--except for the little space my mini cooler took up.
My goal for the first day was to make it to Kearney Nebraska! I had reserved a hotel room at a fairfield inn (thanks to Joni for the hotel discount!) so I was basically locked in to going that far. And about about 11 hours and a lot of alone time later, I made it to Kearney!!
I made it to Dekalb all in one piece and was excited to be back in some of my old stomping grounds from the mission. I was able to go to Church there the next morning and visit with lots of people that I knew from when I lived there! Just about everyone remembered me and welcomed me with open arms! It was a lot of fun to see everyone!
I left Dekalb on Sunday and headed up to my Brother's place in Madision Wisconsin where I was greeted by Steve, Janet and my very shy but very cute niece and nephew! I was excited to be able to spend some time with them and also rest up from all the driving. I stayed with them for most of the week.
Me and Emily taking pictures in the back of the van on our way to dinner!
Janet gave steve one of these backyard campfire things (I don't know what to call them)...So, we tried it out one of the nights that I was there and made some smores..yum!!
Finally on Thursday, I once again got back in the car and headed to Gurnee Illinois where I stayed with the Spencer family (some old friends from Montreal). I spent most of the day trying to catch up on a little studying....not so fun.
My Night in CHICAGO
Friday, I decided that I would head down to the city for the day for fun and also meet up with my old roommate Denise from Ricks College for dinner.
So I drove towards the Skokie station where I was planning on parking my car and taking the L into the city. On my way I made one quick stop....
Michael Jordan's house! Ok..So all you can see is the gate--but it's a cool gate!
After seeing MJ's house and parking my car at the skokie station, I took the L down to chinatown! I just wanted to walk around, see things, and maybe buy something. Turns out I ended up running into a friend that I haven't heard from in a long time.
Here I am with Aija! I heard her voice and just had to check! (Her Latvian accent is quite distinct!) And to my surprise, it was indeed her! How random is that--bumping into someone in Chinatown in Chicago of all places!
After Chinatown, I met up with Denise and we went downtown to get some famous Chicago-style pizza at Gino's East pizzeria!
It is some good stuff...that's for sure!
After dinner we walked around the city and just took some pictures...we walked by Buckingham fountain and Navy Pier. It was a lot of fun and it just felt so good to be in the city!
Then around 10pm we said goodbye and got back on the L to go home....little did I know my night was not over yet!!!
I was on the red line headed North when all of a sudden the thought came into my head..."I wonder if they close the yellow skokie line early." The yellow line is not one of the main lines and it goes further out west to the subburbs--which is where I had parked my car and where I needed to go. I got to the end of the red line and was standing on the platform waiting for the next train. Normally you can either transfer to the purple or yellow line from this point. The purple line train came and EVERYONE got on it--which was my first clue that yep, the yellow line was probably not running anymore. I asked the conducter guy who confirmed my belief and quickly jumped on the purple train which headed straight north. Here is my problem...I can get as far North as I need to go...but not as far west.
So, I took the train four stops North to dempster (the same street my car was parked on) and decided that I would just start jogging to my car. It can't be THAT far, I thought! And after jogging for about a mile I finally decided to call someone just to let them know where I was, what I was doing, and see if they knew about how far away I really was from my car! Well, my good friend Sherry told me I was crazy and said she was on my way to get me!!! I told her that I was just fine and not to worry, but she insisted on coming!! I found a Dunkin Donuts that was opened and waited for her there...good thing too, because the next morning I looked at a map and it turns out I was about 5 miles away from my car!!!! A lot longer of a jog than I thought!!! :)
What a Night!!!
The rest of my time in the Gurnee area was not quite as eventful, but it was still lots of fun. I spent my time visiting with old friends from the mission. It was so much fun to see people and to go to Church there as well! The best part was that after 3 years many people still remembered me! :0)
Me with the Maguire family! I hadn't seen them since I left Gurnee over 3 years ago!
Sherry and I had some quiet time at Olive Garden and enjoyed the time to talk away from the wonderful but many kids back at home! The other picture is me with some of those kids, Mary and Arielle!
Finals Days of the Roadtrip
I left Gurnee Sunday and got back in the car! AGAIN!! Sunday I drove to London Ontario, where my old friend Barbara lives. We grew up down the street from each other and don't see each other very often. Now she is married and has a baby.
Barb, Taylor, Christine
I left Barb's around 12:30 the next day and drove like a mad women the rest of the way to Montreal! I just wanted to get home and get out of the car!! My roadtrip ended when I arrived at home around 8 p.m.!
I made it and boy did it feel to get out of the car! From now on, I'm going to Fly!!! :)
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