rajafacesbothways

The Road Home

After a super time in Chicago area that included seeing friends, art exhibits, theater, fine food and exposure to new ideas, I skipped out a day earlier to avoid driving in the rain projected for today. Good move. Ignoring the engine warning light on my car I drove through fall color and arrived to a new door installed on my loft.

The bad news--I had no key. The good news--the builder left one with my neighbor so I could get in.

The bad news--the check engine light that appeared when I arrived in Chicago could have been serious. The good news-- ignoring it, I trusted my instincts and the fact that "Catfish" had checked the car over before I left. Of course everything hummed along beautifully and the warning was a fluke.

Covering the light with a "stickum" was the perfect solution.

That Toddlin' Town

Having a great Chicago "fix" with exposure to the bright lights, the performance of "Follies" at the Shakespearean Theatre, Hyde Park's 57th Street Books in Obama's old neighborhood, and the Evanston         Farmer's Market filled with great produce and cheeses which we will be devouring soon.

Also with help now have a working iPhone. I felt less intimidated after talking to a friend here who said she washed her iPhone--not a wise idea--and one mistake I never would have made.

Trapped!

The I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge over the Kentucky River has been closed due to structural damage--this is the  bridge I use to cross from Louisville into IN when I drive to Chicago. It'll be under repairs for about 6 months. I can cross the river and drive north through Cincinnati--unless they discover something wrong with that bridge. There are other bridges of course but not built to handle the additional heavy traffic that will result from this neglect of our country's infrastructure.

Coupled with the abortion of my trip west (I should be traveling through MT and N. Dakota about now) and the cancellation of our artists reunion in Door County, WI, I'm wondering if I will ever get out of Georgetown again!

A Final Peak

Lots of gorgeous peaks in Zion National Park; thought I'd throw these photos out for you to see---I've gotten over feeling bad about the trip being cut short and am grateful for what we did see. And am thinking about my next adventure--down the line. H-e-r-e---s Zion!

Back So Soon?!

Curses! Back in Georgeburg, having never gotten further west than Salt Lake City. Was it a ploy by Amtrak and the Mormons to hold me there until I found Jesus? Probably not, but God does work in strange ways.....

Anyway, all the drama with Irene kept news attention on the east coast. Amtrak has been dealing with HUGE delays-- forced to share their tracks (due to earlier flood damage) with Southern Pacific and other lines in Iowa and Nebraska; it faced even larger problems when a train collided with a tractor(?), cars were tipped over and passengers were bussed to Denver. The accident occurred after we arrived in Salt Lake but pushed our departure time to San Francisco back over 24 hours and counting.

Having been temporarily stranded in Bangkok and France, this was no big deal to me--but my 2 companions "had it" so we got last minute flights on Delta to Cincy Saturday afternoon. A wise decision executed. Not known for wise decisions I would have waited it out.

However--I could still be in Salt Lake City, contemplating becoming a Mormon.

The actual trip was fabulous--more on that coming up.

 

Riding the Rails

Leaving Cincy Amtrak station about 1:30 a. m. for Chicago--on to Salt Lake and renting a car there to explore Bryce and Zion National Parks for 5 days, then riding the rails to San Francisco to spend 3-4 days.

Will rent a car and drive up the coast with stops in Portland and Seattle where Patsy, Katy and I will catch Amtrak on 9/11 back to Cincy and home. We're due to arrive at 3:17 a.m. on 9/14. We aren't getting sleepers so won't arrive "refreshed". That's okay. The journey not the arrival is what counts.

Am not taking my laptop, but will try to blog occasionally from hotels or motels. I assume there is internect connection west of the Rockies!

Cleopatra and Me

Packing everything for almost a month of travel into 2 bags the size of backpacks is a real challenge, but one I am up for--I travel light, not bringing my Nikon and 2-3 lenses as I've done in the past. Am taking my small Olympus film camera and a boring cell phone. If you want to see what I see, you'll have to go there yourself.

Attended the excellent Cleopatra exhibit in Cincinnati. Learned a lot about the history of Egypt and the powerful little lady who made it all happen. She sure knew how to pick her lovers!

 

Thelma and Louise Revisited

 Plans for the Trains, Feet and Automobiles trip are now in place--all necessary reservations for Amtrack, National Parks and hotels have been made along with car rentals.

My traveling friends are Patsy and Katy, two Lexington artists. Patsy is also in my dance group; we tend to relate to Thelma and Louise-- Katy will provide restaint and dignity.

Our line dancing could prepare us for meeting cowboys in bars out west. Or not.

Definitly not!

Back in Town

Kathryn's party was a huge success; even the weather cooperated allowing party expansion into the new garden area. Other Chicago activities included seeing a couple of friends, time with grandson Jesse who is studying at Loyola, Karen's book discussion group and cramming all available space in the car with Karen's photos and Chicago goodies.

 Last night was precinct training for the next election. Today's excitement has been a stream of plumbers--a new kitchen faucet and correcting the drain that turned the bathtub into an overnight pool.

Renting is great. Mentioned the plumbing problems to the landlord and immediately a stream of good ole boys with tools arrived and got to work, volunteering as to how that the limestone that is great for thoroughbreds is tough on pipes, including their personal "plumbing problems" with kidney stones from drinking the water. Too much information.

Good thing I brought back a lot of beer.

Racing With the Rain

Encountered dark sky, hail and rain through Kentucky then beat the storms the rest of the trip to Chicago. Throughout Indiana all rivers were swollen and fields covered with water. The economy must be picking up--encountered many trucks on the highways, unlike a couple of years ago.

Karen had tickets to Orchestra Hall for a performance by the Chicago Symphony that included the incredible Hubbard Street Dancers, an unexpected bonus. Musicians need their eyes, ears and fingers--the dancers are more remarkable--their art requires many more body parts. Ouch!