The "Train Travel is Not Bad at All", edition.

iPad shuffled to Eric Benet, "You're The Only One".  I've always liked Eric Benet. My kid, not so much. I miss her in respect to her keeping us current on music.  Or something like Ginuwine, Tyrese, and Tank singing together.  And having me watch them on YouTube and watching Ginuwine self destruct...and watching Tank and Tyrese cracking up.  See, I'd have no idea that happened. Although I did discover Jojo (Jodeci) passing out on my own. I digress.

We decided to visit Shawn. We initially were going to visit in early February, but weren't able to for several reasons and the fact that she had just returned to Illinois in late January. Lol. Their winter break was incredibly long.  Classes for winter semester started January 22... Or something.   George Benson, "Turn Your Love Around".  He can play guitar and sing!!  Oh yeah.  Also I have to give the dialysis centers a 4-6 week notice.  And even then I don't get a chair assignment until a week before travel....at best .  I've received the notice up to a day before travel.  

Once I submit the transient dialysis request ( a dialysis patient in search of a chair-lol), I can make transportation and hotel arrangements to travel location   Well we weren't going to drive. It's a sucky drive in good weather.  We didn't want to chance snow, blizzard, frozen rain, sleet or whatever else this winter has thrown at us (shakes fist), while driving. Didn't want to be caught on Greyhound or Megabus during any winter weather events.  I checked out flying. We know Champaign has an airport.  The pilots stayed at the same hotel we stayed in. We'd see them at breakfast.  Let me tell you, Hawthorne Suites has a decent breakfast, including the chef who cooks your omelets or eggs over medium ( my eggs of choice ).  Oops, I've digressed again.  

We also know about the airport because when UIUC was "courting" Shawn they paid for her visits.  So  I looked up flights.  Yes I know we'd have to layover in Chicago, but flying to Chicago is such a short flight.  And Champaign is a 2 hour drive from Chicago, the flight is probably 15 minutes.  Lol.  Sounds good.......... Except the cost was a bit steep.  Lol. Cheaper to fly  to Las Vegas.  Lol. Hey, let's look at Amtrak. SCORE.  The Temptations, "Get Ready". Does Eddie Kendricks nail this song?  Of course he did!!  Well almost score. 5 hours from Detroit (Dearborn) to Chicago, 2 hours to Champaign. ....and 4.5 hour layover in Chicago.  O.o  But the cost.  Ok. That offsets the layover.  12 hours. It's still ok.  We've never done that train trip. 

Michael Henderson, "Valentine Love".  That rolls me back to UM. :)    Oh yeah I forgot this tidbit.  And this happened to us before.  I tried to make hotel reservations. The hotels were booked. My Hawthorne Suites were booked, as were the hotels on that end of town (closer to campus).  This prompted me to wonder what event was going on, and look for other hotels. I'm embarrassed to say were hotel snobs.  Our very first trip to Champaign we encountered Mom's Weekend (UIUC) and a state high school softball, tennis or basketball tournament. Lol. None of us remember, but we do remember all the kids in the hotel.  We stayed at the Quality Inn.  

When we returned to move Shawn in, we stayed at Hawthorne Suites (much better).  We needed to return in 2 weeks, so I just made the reservations. The clerk says we're booked. Opening day for Illini football. (Sad face). She found us a room. Yay!!  I'll detail that weekend another day.  Lol.  So what was the event this time?  State high school tournament.  We ended up at the Wingate on the north side of town.  But don't be fooled. Champaign is small.  Lol. And Wingate is part of the Wyndham chain, as is Hawthorne. And yes, Wingate was just fine :)

Yes there's more, but I'm stopping here. This is a long entry. Signing off with  The Dramatics, "Be My Girl".  You just have to love a song that starts out, "Baby, you know sometimes you wanna make me scream".  /swoon.   Ok. Everyone shake their fist at winter.  :)