1227 Km + 1056 Km = Long Way From Weyburn

We had a change of plans today when we saw this alert:

 

4 to 8 inches of snow are predicted overnight so we felt we couldn't stay there and had to more on.  Chicago has had snow on the ground since December 20th, the longest time since 1996.  If tonight's weather prediction is true, they'll have it for longer yet.  There is way more snow here than at home.

 

On the way over to Chicago, we stopped for gas in Wisconsin and Elizabeth and I had a laugh at this shop which sold these two unlikely companions.

Inside this lovely bow-tied mouse which was about the size of Nathan greeted us

and directed us to the cheese coolers.

There wasn't a companion mouse to point us to the fireworks.

 

Here's a good marketing idea for the micro-brewery beers of the area:

Since we knew we weren't staying in Chicago, we had to pick our favorite things to see.  One was this sculpture affectionately nicknamed The Bean.  I'd tell you more about it if it wasn't so late; your homework is to google information about it.

 

This next image is taken while walking through the middle of it.

You can see Elizabeth and me in this next one.

My second favorite art piece in Chicago is really close to the Bean.  The faces on this pillar and its counterpart change and are all faces of ordinary Chicagoans.  In the summer these pillars are fountains and from time to time water spews from the mouths.

Our other stop in Chicago was at Garrett's Popcorn to get their Chicago blend of caramel and cheese.  My generous daughter had reactions based on not sharing and sharing.

 

We'll cross into Canada tomorrow and drop Elizabeth's stuff in Stratford.  She just got word on her housing tonight in the nick of time and it looks very suitable.  

 

 



1227 Kilometers Later

First let me tell you what adventure Finn is having while we are away.  When we are away, he often stays down the street at Klemmers.  With two other dogs and four people, he's in doggy heaven there, so much so that when he sees his kennel come out, he literally tugs us in the direction of Klemmers.  No leisurely walking to get there, but rather a fast paced run!

There's not much to write about when we drove and drove today but we were very thankful for clear, ice-free roads.

The fields were glossed over with ice and looked lovely.

Time in a car passes quickly as long as I have crosswords and my Kobo.

As we got closer to Minneapolis we saw cars and semis with mounds and mounds and mounds of snow on them and signs were lashed with snow.  What was going on?

We certainly weren't going to have a picnic at the rest stop...

or eat outside at Culver's. 

We're now in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for the night and the hotel clerk said they really got a dump of snow this morning.  Here's Elizabeth posing - reluctantly - by the snow in the hotel parking lot.  Bob is thrilled that I have a new model on this trip as usually I'm begging - forcing - him to be in my photos.

Tomorrow we'll be in Chicago to see the Bean, eat Garrett's popcorn, and hopefully attend a performance of "Phantom of the Opera." 

 

 



3 Choices

On a fairly warm day in November. I asked Bob this question:  this winter would you prefer a week in Hawaii,

a week in Mexico,

or a week in New York City?

  Without too much contemplation he answered, "I'd still pick New York."  "Me too," I said so the decision was made.  After a cold, cold December and some not-very-nice days in January, we were wondering if we should rebook.  However, the lure of Broadway and the good fortune that Elizabeth can come with us, kept us steady on our first decision. 

We've never been to New York City in the winter except for one unseasonably warm November so this should be an adventure.  New York has had wild weather this winter so perhaps we will see new-fallen snow in Central Park.  Let's hope.

We leave on Thursday, January 30th so watch for new posts then.