Day 5: Chicago, IL to Kalamazoo, MI
Friday Oct. 24, 2008
In the morning, Brady had to go to work early, but Peggy’s who’s writing her dissertation had some time to host us in the morning. After Breakfast we played with the Wii, Wii Fit and Wii Sports. Peggy beat Winston at Tennis, and Winston and Julie had a nice Wii Jog. It was a lot of fun, and we’ve been mulling over whether or not to get one ourselves.
Peggy and Brady’s apartment has really tall ceilings. It’s also has a high depth to width ratio. It’s very nice and has a room kitchen. And of course it’s stylishly decorated.
Just before noon (Central Daylight Time) we got back on the road. Our destination was just about 150 miles away in Kalamazoo, MI. The skies were overcast as we drove through the Windy City, the Illinois-Indiana state line was only a half hour down the road, and we drove straight through the state, not stopping until we crossed the Indiana-Michigan State Line 40 minutes (and a time zone change) later. The rain started falling again just as we got to the state line, and we stopped at the Visitor Information Center. Here and in Indiana to some extent, we saw our first really colorful Fall foliage on the trip. There’s also a lighthouse at the rest area. Michigan apparently has more Lighthouses than any other state in the US.
Lunch was a Panera’s near Benton Harbor, MI. And we made it to our Hotel (Baymont Inn and Suites) which was perfectly serviceable, by 4:15 EDT, 150 miles from Chicago.
Kalamazoo was the one fixed space/time destination of our tour. Winston’s co-worker, and the whole family’s friend Amanda was getting Married to her fiancé Tyler in Kalamazoo, where they both went to school at Central Michigan University. We didn’t make Kalamazoo in time for the rehearsal, but we did make arrive in time to clean up and change for the rehearsal dinner. That of course didn’t mean we made to the rehearsal dinner on time. Just that we were in the same town when it started
The Rehearsal dinner was at Pasta! Pasta!, and in addition to the delicious entrées (that’s two accented words in one post) home made treats were for dessert. We enjoyed meeting Amanda and Tyler’s families, so much so that after dinner we volunteered to go over to the reception venue and help them finish setting up. Things needed organizing, and tables needed decorating, it wasn’t exactly hectic but it wasn’t serene. The bride as you might expect was slightly frazzled, but held up very well. She like all brides was torn, between reaching an artistic vision and the realities of time and capabilities. Especially since much of the components were handmade/assembled, including the strings of pearls given to the female members of the wedding party. As her reward for her hard work, the reception looked great as you can see in Part 2 of tomorrow’s photos, and more immediately she received a gift of a dulcimer.
All of this of course was exhausting to Megan. After all she spent a lot of time at the reception hall playing with her car. There’s a photo of her passed out on Mommy shoulder being carried back to our hotel room.
See the Photos
Peggy and Brady’s apartment has really tall ceilings. It’s also has a high depth to width ratio. It’s very nice and has a room kitchen. And of course it’s stylishly decorated.
Just before noon (Central Daylight Time) we got back on the road. Our destination was just about 150 miles away in Kalamazoo, MI. The skies were overcast as we drove through the Windy City, the Illinois-Indiana state line was only a half hour down the road, and we drove straight through the state, not stopping until we crossed the Indiana-Michigan State Line 40 minutes (and a time zone change) later. The rain started falling again just as we got to the state line, and we stopped at the Visitor Information Center. Here and in Indiana to some extent, we saw our first really colorful Fall foliage on the trip. There’s also a lighthouse at the rest area. Michigan apparently has more Lighthouses than any other state in the US.
Lunch was a Panera’s near Benton Harbor, MI. And we made it to our Hotel (Baymont Inn and Suites) which was perfectly serviceable, by 4:15 EDT, 150 miles from Chicago.
Kalamazoo was the one fixed space/time destination of our tour. Winston’s co-worker, and the whole family’s friend Amanda was getting Married to her fiancé Tyler in Kalamazoo, where they both went to school at Central Michigan University. We didn’t make Kalamazoo in time for the rehearsal, but we did make arrive in time to clean up and change for the rehearsal dinner. That of course didn’t mean we made to the rehearsal dinner on time. Just that we were in the same town when it started
The Rehearsal dinner was at Pasta! Pasta!, and in addition to the delicious entrées (that’s two accented words in one post) home made treats were for dessert. We enjoyed meeting Amanda and Tyler’s families, so much so that after dinner we volunteered to go over to the reception venue and help them finish setting up. Things needed organizing, and tables needed decorating, it wasn’t exactly hectic but it wasn’t serene. The bride as you might expect was slightly frazzled, but held up very well. She like all brides was torn, between reaching an artistic vision and the realities of time and capabilities. Especially since much of the components were handmade/assembled, including the strings of pearls given to the female members of the wedding party. As her reward for her hard work, the reception looked great as you can see in Part 2 of tomorrow’s photos, and more immediately she received a gift of a dulcimer.
All of this of course was exhausting to Megan. After all she spent a lot of time at the reception hall playing with her car. There’s a photo of her passed out on Mommy shoulder being carried back to our hotel room.
See the Photos