The Drive to Chicago

After a some repacking we made the back seat somewhat more comfortable and we were off to Chicago. Tommy could read a book and Sara could relax a bit. Here we are heading through Wisconsin.

The roads through Minnesota and Wisconsin, into Chicago, are much like the highways I've driven for years. There were not any sprawling deserts, mountains, windmills, miles of open landscape. There were trees, traffic, exits and the like. Despite the familiar surroundings, the weather can become somewhat extreme.

We had gotten to Illinois. I was driving. The total trip was expected to take around 6 hours, not to extreme. We all had a good night's sleep, it was about four in the afternoon. Despite the ideal driving conditions, the rain became too intense, so I pulled off to wait it out. As we were sitting at the light just off the exit, we heard a loud shrieking noise. At first we feared it might be the steering, but it didn't seem to be related to driving. Maybe the speakers? No. What was it? It was getting louder and softer in regular waves.

We parked at the gas station, when I had a thought. Maybe it was a tornado warning. Maybe.

Not really all that worried, calmed by ignorance, we sat in the car. Tommy decided to stretch his legs in the store. A few minutes later we got a call from him. The store had been closed. A tornado had been identified. We should come in since the store had a basement.

There were about 12 other travelers there. Bewildered, sharing random pieces of information. The tornado had touched down just a few miles from where we were and was headed to Chicago. We waited a little longer, even after the all clear. A driver came into the store and said he had seen the funnel cloud just off the highway. He couldn't believe what it actually was then heard the siren.

By the time we were back on the road, the rain had relaxed to a drizzle. We continued onto Chicago.

We made it to Annie's and Seth's apartment. They had dinner waiting for us. Thanks so much. Since her band practice had been canceled at the last minute, she invited her band mates over for some beers. We just chilled in their apartment for the evening.

And with this post, I am now up to date. At this time, I am sitting in Annie's and Seth's apartment in Chicago. Paul, Tommy, Sara, Annie, and Seth are sleeping. We take off for Kalamazoo in the morning, then head straight for Massachusetts. The tone has shifted a bit for the trip. We are now focusing on our destination. After enjoying the journey, we are now anticipating its end. But one more show. One more drive.

States visited: 11
Dogs met: 12
Cats met: 9
Birds met: 4