Tuesday, May 10, 2011

THE JOURNEY... CHICAGO ARRIVAL

Hi, all,

I finally have a free moment to post. After two long grueling days driving for almost 1300 miles, I finally made it back to Chicago.

I felt like I never left. Dark clouds loomed over the city as I approached. The never-ending shades of gray bore down on the buildings and lake. A slight drizzled added to the muck from the love bugs that collected on my windshield and front grill. Another car wash awaits.

I was lucky to find a parking spot just across the street of my building. Dressed in only a muscle shirt and jeans the damp air hit me like an icy kiss as shivers ran up my spine. Will winter ever leave here? A good thing I thought ahead and throw on the hoodie I had placed on the passenger seat.

It's always good to be home after a long trip, but lugging in months of packages and the over-expanded wasn't a fun welcome home.

I just checked the weather for the week... I looks like cold, grey, thunderstormy skies all week. Today has an sunny and 80 degree forecast, but somehow the overcast skies looks to me like the will win out over the sun desperately trying to force its way through.

Thank you all for your safe wishes. As you can see, they worked. The drive was LONG but not too much drama besides a lot of construction in Kentucky.

I hope all the MOTHERS had a wonderful Mother's Day! You have the hardest job of all and should be appreciated more than one day a year.

I'm also sorry I haven't visited all of you in a few days, but now that I am home I hope to play catch up.

May today bring all that you desire!

21 comments:

Kittie Howard said...

Welcome back, Michael! Happy your trip was uneventful. Ohhh, but I don't like those clouds you've got in Chicago...means they're headed out way but the flowers need the drizzle, right?

Anonymous said...

Welcome home, Michael!

When I lived in Chicago, my family made the trek to Florida many times (my father hated the winter!). I remember that long drive very well. Lots of car games to pass the time (before the age of Ipods and TVs in cars). :-)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Glad to see you are safe and sound at home Michael.

dolorah said...

Glad you made it safe Michael. Have a good day.

.........dhole

Danette said...

Glad you had a safe drive home! It's lovely weather here... at least until tomorrow, I hear when there is some moisture--- maybe even the s word in the forecast! (NOOOOOO!!!) Glad you had a good vacation!

Shari said...

Welcome home! Hope your time away keeps you happy as you get back to reality.

Heather said...

Welcome home! I'm so glad to hear you made it without incident. Hopefully the weather will improve soon!

Talli Roland said...

Welcome back to Chicago, Michael! Glad you got some safely.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

1300 miles in a car does not sound like fun to me! Glad you made it home.

PK HREZO said...

Ugh, I hate driving! Glad you made it back safe tho!!! We've missed you. :)

Golden Eagle said...

Glad you made it home safe!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Driving can be so exhausting. Glad you made it back safely. Thanks for the Mother's Day wishes. :)

Jo Schaffer said...

We have had a lot of rain here lately.

I have been to Chicago twice about 6 years ago. My sister used to live in a high rise out there in the thick of the city.

I enjoyed my time there. museums, good food, the pier... I like the big shiny bean in the park and that spitting fountain. I rode a tandem bike along the lake with my sis. (= Good times.

Laura said...

Welcome home - glad it was a safe trip for you. See you soon
Laura

Johanna Garth said...

That is a LOT of driving! Glad you made it home safely.

Sue said...

Hope you had some good talking books to listen to, or at least some great music. Your weather sounds like it is here at the moment, grey, drizzly with the occasional rattle of hail pelting the windows. Joy oh joy! Time for another cuppa. Sue

The Words Crafter said...

If I drove 1300 miles anywhere, it would make the news-I'd go bonkers!!!

I'm glad you're home safe. And just send me the rain and gray skies. We've been sweating in very humid 80+ degree weather, but with the threat of storms. I'll take rainy gray any day :)

Regina said...

Hopefully you get to get some time to get settled back in and relax after the long drive home. I know it took me a couple of days to recoup when we drove back from Florida in March. Especially when there is construction, that is even more exhausting. Bless you!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Settling in always seems to take forever, Michael. Just relax the first day, savoring sleeping in your own bed. I pray it thaws out a little for you, Roland

ali cross said...

Glad you made it home safely! I bet you'll have brought the sunshine and warm temps with you from Florida ... you just need to unpack them!

Donea Lee said...

So glad the trip home was a safe one!! I'm sorry the weather wasn't nicer for you, though. Soon - the sun's got to come soon, right? :)

Have a good one!