7 posts tagged “chicago”
It is indeed feeling like Spring here now, with little shoots coming through the dirt. So I guess we are past having more snow.
But there were 22 times that local streets needed to be plowed between November and February, in comparison with the "norm" of about seven.
The damage to roads, in terms of potholes, is really great! It is a significant problem, and also an expensive one for local (and state) governments!
I guess the more important thing about celebrating Easter to me is not going to church (I didn't, myself) but being together with family. We were.
It didn't seem much like Easter because there is so much snow here in Chicago! I guess that is a combination of our unusual weather and Easter being so early this year. Personally, I am still very much waiting for it to really be Spring. Re-birth.
We got some snow here last night:
This photo was taken (with my iPhone) at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It was pretty outside, but at the same time, we are very tired of the winter weather!
I read a review recently that was a bit critical of the iPhone's camera, although some other commentaries have been more favorable. Personally, I have been very pleased with the results--except when trying to take a picture out of the side window of a rapidly moving car! With that major exception, many photos turn out at least okay, and I haven't used any other camera in months.
We have snow again here in Chicago, several inches, as part of a record-setting winter. And that event (and going out to dig out from it) reminds me of a story about snow shoveling and plowing I have been thinking about throughout this winter season.
First, Democrats on the whole are good winter neighbors. They go out and shovel driveways and sidewalks, not only for their own convenience, but to benefit others: so that children can walk to school, for example. If there is an aged or ill neighbor, they might shovel his or her sidewalk too.
Independents are more narrow-minded: they take care of their own. They shovel the spaces they need just for themselves--but that is it.
But Republicans are by far the worst! They shovel the snow off their own personal private (three-car) driveway, vigorously. (Or more likely hire Halliburton to do it). But they put their snow onto common rights of way (like the street) or onto their neighbor's driveway.
Having them nearby makes things worse for you. You don't want to live next to a Republican in the winter.
If these things aren't true, at least those are my own personal political stereotypes.
But the way this political season is going is challenging my opinions. In particular, Hillary Clinton seems to me to be campaigning more like a Republican with each passing day, desperately taking tactics from Karl Rove and other "dirty politics" experts. She wants (or she and Bill want) so much to regain a grip on the reins of power that she is indifferent to the effect on the Democratic party, and most particularly, its newest generation of supporters. Not to mention the nation at large.
I am pretty disgusted! And wish she would just resign, retire, give it up. Her campaign is spoiling not only her own image, but really the image of what it means to be a Democrat. And it is reinforcing the most cynical, negative stereotypes of what American politics and politicians are all about.
It is time for her to step aside. Well past time. Her desperate claims and charges are insulting and embarrassing. We have had so much poisoning of the public spirit in recent years. It is tragic that she is adding to that unfortunate legacy.
Anyhow, that is just about how I am feeling on this snowy Chicago morning.
On a recent visit we walked around in the heated greenhouses--about 80 degrees there. I guess I am missing a chance to be in a warm clime.
But there also was a dog show (the "reindog parade") outside.
And there is a great exhibit of electric trains indoors, a huge attraction for children. (During the summer, it is outdoors).
Definitely a pleasant place to visit, in all seasons.
The Garden is on Lake-Cook road, north of Chicago, just east off of US 41. (Skokie Highway and the Edens expressway). There is an admission charge on a per-car basis. If you go often (as we do) it is advantageous to become a member instead.
If you don't know the area, also take a drive along Sheridan road (near Lake Michigan) to see some very lovely houses in the North Shore region. (Here is a link on scenic drives). It is great to start in Chicago and go north on Lake Shore Drive into Evanston and beyond, past Northwestern University and into Wilmette and other suburbs. But just the suburban part itself is worthwhile, too.
Don't miss the gorgeous Bahai Temple, too.
US 14 starts in Chicago and goes directly to Yellowstone National Park. We drove west on it in for most of the distance, avoiding interstates 90 and 94 which follow roughly parallel routes, as much as we could.
Then we took an alternate route to see the Badlands NP and also to avoid a high mountain pass that was both fogged in and snowed in. Spent a night in Cody, Wyoming--which was nearly totally booked up at 2:00 pm in the afternoon!--and then went to Yellowstone up to and over the Beartooth Highway.
It isn't long until we will hit the road!
The total distance from Chicago to Santa Monica is about 2280 miles. The half way point is Adrian TX (near Armarilo). We certainly hope to get at least that far.
The precise distance depends on the exact route you follow. US 66 was re-routed several times. For example, one route went through Santa Fe, while a later route did not. That shows in the little map, above--the "jog" in New Mexico.
The only reservations we have made in advance are for the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Who knows where we will actually go, and what might actually happen along the way?
The precise distance depends on the exact route you follow. US 66 was re-routed several times. For example, one route went through Santa Fe, while a later route did not. That shows in the little map, above--the "jog" in New Mexico.
The only reservations we have made in advance are for the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Who knows where we will actually go, and what might actually happen along the way?
That is what makes it an adventure!
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