Ok, the wonderful thing about road trips is that you are all smooshed into a car together for the duration. Plane trips are short and non-personable. So began our adventure. We all jumped into my parents Monte Carlo and headed North, then east.
We had a few stops planned along the way, so it was like a separate vacation. Instead of getting hotels, to save money we decided to camp. And not with a trailer like so many cheaters do, but with sleeping bags, tents, and no matches. To preface this, you need to know that the Sturgis Bike Rally was about to begin and there were bikers everywhere. It was crazy. We were able to reserve a camp spot for the second night of the trip, but the first site was first come first serve, so we just had to take our chances.
Our first stop was just outside of Bozeman. We got to the campground around 11 pm, drove the loop a couple times, just to realize that none of the spots were open. So, we kept driving. By the time we got into Bozeman, we were all so tired, we decided to just get a hotel, we didn't want to deal with it. Everywhere we went, there were motorcycles. We stopped at the first hotel(with mostly motorcycles in the parking lot), and were told they were booked. The guy at the next hotel, informed us that all hotels were booked from there to Rapid City, SD(just east of Sturgis).
So, we drove around looking for a campground again. We finally found one, with the help of Agnes(Ashley's GPS). It too was full, and the office was closed. So, we pitched our tents at 2 in the morning on a grassy area feet away from the interstate(still at the campground...it was a really crappy campground). We figured we could just pay in the morning. So, after 3-4 hours of not really sleeping, we all got up, packed our tent back in the car, and went to the office. It was again closed, and wouldn't open for 2 more hours. These were 2 hours that could be used heading to Rapid City, so we just left.....Yes, we stole camping. More like we stole 3 really crummy hours of sleep. There was a train that had its horn blowing all night, and the interstate was just a few feet away. It wasn't a good night. We continued on...
With 3 hours of sleep, give or take a few minutes, we headed to Rapid City. It was about 7 when we left, and Rapid City was only hours away. We made it their around 3 pm, found the campground(complete with showers, and void of a million bikers), checked in and set up camp. The rest of the evening was ours to do what we wanted. We had planned on going to Mt. Rushmore which was only minutes away from where we were camped in Keystone, SD. In Keystone, which is very obviously a very touristy town, there were more bikers than we had seen thus far on our journey. We found a place to eat, then went on to Mt Rushmore. Did you know that you only pay for parking, and it will get you in all year? This we did not know, but if we want to go to Mt Rushmore anytime in the near future, our parking pass is paid for.
It was very cool. There were pillars leading up to the monument viewing area. Each pillar had a different state on every side, with the corresponding flag and the date they became a state. It was really neat.
After taking the hike on the trails leading up to different viewing points, everyone decided to get ice cream. Well, Ashley and Keith got ice cream and Richard finished what they couldn't, he kind of made himself sick just to not be wasteful. He is a silly boy, but I love him. =)
We finished the night, but roasting hot dogs, bananas, and marshmallows. It was way better than the previous night. I was up before everyone the next morning, so I made breakfast, ate, then showered because I smelled pretty awful. We packed up and left and continued on to our next destination. The Corn Palace, Mitchell SD.
There really is nothing more to say about the Corn Palace.....this pretty much says it all....
So, we finally made it to Chicago around 2 am that next morning. We were all so exhausted, so I let everyone sleep in. We headed out to Downtown Chicago. We went to the Sears Tower and took a trip to the Skydeck. It was high and scary.
Keith is terrified of heights, so he didn't make it out. But everyone around was cheering for him. It was kind of endearing. While in Chicago for the week, we had some super delicious food! This started off with Potbelly's, the most scrumptious sandwich shop in the country. We had tickets to the Cubs vs. Nationals that night. So, when the time came we headed to Wrigley Field. Just prior to this, it started to rain. We were able to take the train to most of our destinations, but when a game is scheduled, there are 50 million people on the trains. Anyway, we got to Wrigley Field, and since we were part of the first 1,000 fans, we got free shirts and hats.
We actually got a picture on the Cubs website.
www.cubs.com/fanfoto (Date:Aug. 8th; Gallery 47)
We also had to buy ponchos, because it was pouring. We waited for 3 hours, just to have the game postponed for a few days later, when the weather was supposed to be better. So, we went again on Thursday. It was 90 something degrees, with 80% humidity and no clouds. But they won: 4-3. In the interim, we went to the Art Institute. That was pretty amazing. It took us 5 hours, and we barely made it through the whole thing. There were some pretty cool things there.
I'm not a huge art buff, but I was impressed. This was just one of those cool paintings. The following day, we went to the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. Both were pretty fun. That night, Richard took me to the Off-Broadway show, Peter Pan. It was wonderful!! It was in a circular tent with a screen spanning around the entire stage. When the cast flew, the screen projected the London sky moving, the clouds. It also made it appear as if they were really going under water. It was fabulous. Thanks to my dear husband for taking me. I had a blast. There are no pictures, because they wouldn't let us.
I was able to have my first taste of Chicago-style pizza, which I am little angry about....because I loved it, and now when I want pizza all I can think is Gino's East.
Our last day in Chicago was spent at WizardCon. This is a largeish Comic book Convention held every year. We talked to artists, writers, bought shirts and comics for really cheap.
But the best part? Wait for it...............................................I shook Christopher Lloyd's hand!! We didn't get an autograph, because we are cheap and didn't want to spend the $40, but I shook his hand and talked to him. He is a very nice fellow.
We left the next morning, and headed to The House on the Rock in Wisconsin. I am a dumb dumb, so I forgot the camera in the car, but it was amazing. I can't even explain it. If ever you have the chance to go, it is so worth it. But you have to make it a day trip, and relax with a Wisconsin brat or burger(both equally delicious).
