It’s early evening in Joliet. We are fed and watered and resting back in our room ready for an early start.
Despite threats of more storms the view from our window is of a wonderful sunset. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Glorious Sunset
Chicago to Joliet
A bit of a false start, up at 7am for a mile hike to get a healthy breakfast. All packed and sat waiting for the transfer who got the wrong hotel then sat asking us for directions cos he couldn’t get his GPS to work while driving at 50mph. At least we made it to Eagle Riders and that was fairly painless to hire the bike, which wouldn’t start because “we left the ignition on!”, ok you go test it and sure enough they found the alternator was faulty, so profuse apologies as they wheeled out a brand new Electra Glide with 250miles on the clock, and free Route66 caps and tshirts for the inconvenience.
And they’re off on a new bike that neutral is a little fiddle to find, still I only managed to drop it once when Mrs Fogg was off it fortunately and it took two of us to right it.
Made it to Joliet and the Hampton Inn, with a pool and we have done a few little stretches of Route66 so far.
First trek on Route66 from here.
Let Travel Commence
And today we head out to collect the Harley for what will surely be an interesting 2 weeks, not least of all with the Tornados ravaging the area that we are due to drive.
Last night saw a thunderstorm hit Chicago for about 1.5 hours, but nothing like the devastation in Oklahoma.
Have no fear I will be riding with my common sense sat in the pillion seat just to keep me in check.
So by 9pm UK time we will have covered our first 40 miles of Route66 to Joliet, “it’s dark, we got half a tank of gas, sunglasses, waterproofs and 2,100 miles to drive, let’s hit it”.
The journey starts from here.
Pizza and Graffiti
Another fun packed evening up the John Hancock tower to the observation deck for 360 degree views of Chicago, topped off with a trip to Ginos on Superior, where the funky bit is you get a permanent marker and leave your mark, so we did, Foggy’s on Tour!
And the last picture, well we did find the phone box on Wabash and Lake, but no sign of Mr Anderson.
Cloud Gate Fun
So this is the Cloud Gate. Part of Millenium Park it is a fantastic and fun place to be. The sculpture is amazing. You can see the city reflected in the large pebble, walk underneath and look at yourself and the city reflected back at you.
The park has a number of other sculptures and a fab arena, plus great big water towers that spray water out you can stand in and paddle. The guide says its aimed at pre teens but we did not see many of these- just adults playing in the water!
A fun city.
History warning: Millenium Park by the way used to be a cemetery but was already in the process of being cleared of bodies when the great fire struck in 1871. Those fleeing from the flames were saved by jumping in the empty holes that had been dug.
Gettin Our Kix – Atop of the World
A Full Fun Packed walking tour, in low 80s temperatures. A walk to the start of Route66 for a photo stoppirtunity on Adams and Michigan, before walking part of the route up to the Sears (Willis) tower at 1,454ft high it takes the elevator just 60seconds to cover the 104 floors at an ear popping pace.
Once in the tower you have the oh so funky Skywalk, which is a glass room that hangs out a meter from the side of the building, oh so cool.
On the way back we walked under the ‘L’, past the apartment blocks from the Blues Brothers, down side roads features in the French Connection, alleys that look as though they are from every familiar movie you have ever seen (I came her to chew gum and kick ass, and I’m all outta gum) and lastly we stood on the corner of Wabash and Lake but couldn’t see a telephone booth (The Matrix has you Neo). And all of this before lunch time.
Don’t forget we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Tornado anyone?
Yesterday afternoon was wonderful in Chicago. We strolled in glorious summer temperatures to the Old Navy Pier. Consider this a cross between Blackpool pleasure Beach and Bridlington. It’s a nice fun area with plenty of restaurants and a Ferris Wheel. So we ate shrimps at Bubba Gumps, spent 7 minutes on a Ferris wheel with a good view of the skyline before wandering into the heart of Chicago.
We are staying on Magnificent Mile so right in the shopping district. We walked up Michigan Avenue and came across the quirky Tribune Tower building that Billy Connolly visited on his Route 66 trip. the building is very ornate, almost gothic, with insets of stones from other buildings the owner collected (ie stole) from all over the world. This includes from pyramids, Edinburgh Castle, House of Commons. A truly odd building but somehow beautiful.
After a lovely wander we retired for the night listening to hundreds of ambulance sirens (well Mr Fogg did as I was sound asleep).
So a beautiful rise this morning to glorious sunshine. And then we put the weather channel on. Oh Boy. There have been tornadoes across the midline, following the exact path we are going to take – Oklahoma City, Tulsa. Turns out there is a storm front sat right on us. We can expect thunderstorms later today, however tomorrow it’s worse. Full on high volume heavy flood causing rain. Thunderstorms and risk of more tornadoes.
Did anyone mention that tomorrow we are getting on a Harley??? Should be an experience.
We’ll assess risks as we go. If its too bad we will sit tight somewhere and catch up the next day. So, based on the weather report that means staying in Joliet for a week!!
Meanwhile, off for a tour of Chicago while the sun shines.
Run Forrest Run
Oh Yes!
Bubba Gumps at the Old Navy Pier Chicago and the mother of all drinks a CoronaRita, a half bottle of Corona upside downing Margarita, Pickled liver anyone?
Two of these and I’m anyone’s, so to sober up a little we are still walking all round Chicago and enjoying a tea and coffee outside the Tribune Tower (which has rocks and stones in it from Edinburgh Castle, Houses of Parliament and many more). A slow womble back then to the hotel to rest at 2am UK time.
A good start to the holiday.
Forrest Ran from here.
Chicago My Kinda Town
Howdy y’all
8.5 hours on a average virgin flight (oh how they have gone downhill).
Here we are in Chicago, 6 hours behind the UK in 28 degrees heat. Nice
Now walking tour to stretch the legs and more food.
Route66 starts from here.