OUr time in Chicago

We just got back from Chicago yesterday. I was surprised by the amount of time it took us. For some reason I was thinking it should have taken the better part of the work day. But in fact, it took us just a bit more than 5.5 hours. This was pretty close to the times I found on Google Map and Mapquest. However, neither of these allowed for lunch, potty breaks or exchanging movies at the Redbox.

Which gets me to random thought number one: If Redbox advertises for being able to drop off or pick up a movie in any city,why don't they have locations at places just off major highways? For those of you who don't know--and I found out this weekend that many don't know what a Redbox is--it is a tall red box located in grocery stores, McDonald's and other places. Inside of the redbox are DVDs you can rent with your cc for $1 plus tax. The movie is due back by 9pm the next day. If you decide to keep it an extra day, you pay an extra dollar. After you return the movie, your cc gets charged. Watch out Blockbuster. THis is a great concept.

We rented movies from a Redbox before we left Crystal City. I was thinking we should have no problem finding one to exchange for different movies along the way and again once we were in Chicago. The reason for my thinking is because the boxes are mostly in McD--who even gave away free rentals with a large drink purchase months ago. Why would I have a hard time?

Joe found us a place to return the movies on our way out of town, but by then Emma had decided to watch one again. No sense in returning it, just to pay another dollar to get it out again. I have the thing until 9pm anyway. When we stopped for lunch about 1.5 hours out of Chicago, I thought for sure we would find a Redbox in that McD. Nope. A very nice lady told me about a location in Pontiac, Ill. We had to drive 2 miles into town and then locate the local market. Whew, more trouble than it should have been.

So, this got me to thinking. For the traveling family Google Map/Mapquest should add the Redbox to their services. If we could have mapped out the locations ahead of time, we would have also had nice places to eat and exchange movies. This is way more fun for the kids than bringing movies from home.

My next random thought is this. Follow along with me. We used the public restroom a LOT while we were on our short vacation. The fancier ones had automatic soap dispensers, water faucets AND towel dispensers or blow dryers. Isn't the purpose of all of this to prevent the spread of disease? Then why do they make me pull the handle on the way out of the RR? Shouldn't it push out so that I can use my clean rearend to exit? You know not everyone washes when they leave those places? The concept would be nice: if everyone washed then you could use the handle without worry about what is on there. But they don't.

Which leads me to this: If there is a line to the ladies room that is 3 dozen people long, and a door desginated for exiting, why would you go out of the IN door?

We did have a nice time. Emma, Kerri L. and I got to Joe's place around dinner time. Thank you Joe for the best pizza/salad dinner. All four of us played games for a while. I like playing against Joe for the fun of trying. Because I know that I will just about always lose. So I opted not to ask to play Scrabble for that reason. Emma picks out a game instead called "My Word". This was worse than Scrabble. Everyone looks at the same cards laid on the table. You have to be quick with your brain and eyes to make words of the cards. (Each card has a letter or two on them.) Joe is quick. Kerri was too. Not a fun game to play while sipping on wine.

Sunday we took an excursion to Sears Tower. It is a fantastic view, with a lot of history to learn. Unfortunately, I was with a 6 year old who did not care to read everything that was on the wall. We looked out from each side of the tower, and played a few rounds of "I Spy"with the city. From there we went to Navy Pier. Emma wanted to return to the Children's Museum. Great. Kerri and I got in for free for being teachers--wish we would have thought to ask that question at SEars Tower. Found out the only reason she wanted to go there was to get her face painted. Too bad they were not doing that this time. Bummer. Ben and Jerry's made up for that.

Time to retire for the day. We got back in time for us to take a quiet time. Ok, that was for us grownups. Emma began what we found out was a 3 hour marathon of "iCarly". What a dumb show. Off to bed.

We really had a great time. We owe all of it to Uncle Joe. Thank you for treating us to dinner, and all of the modes of transportation while visiting. Emma had a great time. James knows what he missed and is working on being able to go next time.