DEC-B-2
ARRIVAL IN CHICAGO,
AND A PAUSE FOR PHASE I IN ILLINOIS
ENROUTE TO MICHIGAN FOR PHASE I
December 11, 2002
As I was about to leave from the GW office to come to the Metro and Washington Flyer connection that would get me to Dulles with the large suitcase, I got an automated call from United—on their first day of flying as an officially bankrupt airline. They announced that my Dulles to Chicago flight had been cancelled. I was rebooked on a later flight out of Dulles which gave me time to stand by and wait at the AVS to pick up my just returning deer hunting photos so that I could put those in the album number XII, the last one of the year, and the only one I will be able to carry forward to Grand Rapoids for those interested in the marathons and hunts of this year’s end. All of the international trips, so well illustrated and carefully annotated, are in the first eleven volumes of this year, but as I tried to pack them up top carry them in the big suitcase, I calculated that the photo albums alone would weigh in at 128 pounds, so that this cannot happen. I would be delighted to show someone some time the pictures and stories of that part of the year’s events, but it willhave to be at the time rather than my bringing the mountain to Mohammed, we must bring the researching observers to the photo album collections.
I am in the Mariott Lincolnshire complex where I have stayed several times for conferences, and once, two years ago at this Christmas time for the Del Rio series of Christmas time singing by my favorite singer. Then it was bitter cold and very snowy. Now there was only a light snow, and, by contrast, nearly balmy. It was a very low key visit with at least one bummer of a problem that may yet disrupt further plans. The room was cleaned while we were out at dinner, and when we returned, the Audi special car key, electronic door opener, left on an end table, was missing, so that the car—and we, are stranded. It turns out that the limo service to the airport also does not work at the time I will need it in the morning to move on to my next stop in Detroit, so Chicago will be a series of expensive cab rides.
We had diner at Froggy, a French Restaurant, after arriving, and also a few stops for shopping at the Williams and Sonoma I had remembered from two years ago last October when I had purchased a major set of replacement cookware. I have worked a bit on searching for the missing keys, but there will have to be a delay and a special order for the replacements. But, I will be going on to Detroit in the early morning and after all day there, will be going forward to Grand Rapids to visit the whole family as we come together in the church that Milly has reserved for us.
I will be back here in Chicago in transit on my flights from Detroit to GRR and then for two days on return from GRR when I will go to DelRio with a group to hear and participate in Virginia’s gig at Christmas time.