More severe storms passed by North of us during the night. I couldn't believe the size of all of these storms just training continously across the same areas. At a location we were at last week, received quarter sized hail, which after seeing the baseball sized hail on the News in Pennsylvania isn't as impressive, unless it is bombarding you on the head that is. I'm sure it could still do some damage. We decided to buy two Trolly, Signature Tours via double decker bus or trolley. Either type of transportation ran every 12 minutes and the deal was you could get on and off all day, or stay on and listen to the tour guide After writing my blog entry last night, I decided to see if I could find an app to check the prices of parking garages in Chicago, as we paid $28. the first day and $39. the second. So I found one charging $22. near the tour route so we didn't have to walk far as it was predicted to be hot and humid. As we drove in we decided not to do the Willis Tower Sky Deck Ledge as the tops of the building were obscured by clouds. I plotted our GPS to the parking garage and on the way we stopped at a UPS store to mail a bill I have been carrying around since we first left, for South Jersey Gas. Needless to say its probably late?
As were leaving the parking garage we both noticed a Weber Grill store across the street, which we want to see what they had when we came back. We also had the problem when you go in one side of a building and come out another side, and have to figure out which way to walk. George got out his phone and looked at an app he has that is for walking in cities. From looking at that I figured out which way we needed to go. We were already somewhat familiar with the area as we had been in the same area yesterday to pick up the gangster tour and I knew the Trolly Tour company picked peeps up at the same location. We turned our voucher in that I had paid for online, and received tickets printed out that resembled a receipt on flimsy receipt paper. Since I had my little purse, a water bottle, my camera and keys which I was fumbling with, George placed the ticket receipt in his wallet for easy access. The first tour vehicle to come was a double decker bus, which we sat on the top near the front as there were two seats together. The tour guide was very enthusiastic and friendly. He was pointing out the sights. The sky in one direction started to get blacker and blacker. So the guide handed out ponchos to those on top of the bus. I decided to put mine on right away as I looked at my radar on my phone and heavy rains were headed our way and fast. The tour rule is that nobody can go down stairs unless the double decker bus is at one of their official stops, and frankly I wouldn't want to even try going down the spiral staircase when the thing is in motion. So with that said, when it started to rain, it began with big drops here and there. George immediately openned his poncho and figured out how to get in it. And then it began to VAVOOM! George asked for another poncho which we used on our laps. There is a movie called, "The River Runs Through it", and that is how I would describe the valley between Mt. George and Mt. Debby. Ice cold rain, causing flash flooding between us, plus the floor was a raging torrent sloshing back and forth and side to side as the bus moved. I had my feet up and out, under the seats in front of us. I was more interested in protecting my camera and phone. At the next stop practically everyone went down to the lower section of the bus. We stayed topside until I heard thunder and then at the next stop, we went down. Since the bus was air conditioned, we were cold. Eventually we got off at the Navy Pier. I knew I wanted to get a Chicago sweatshirt, and figured I might be able to get one there, and I did. George doesn't know it but I bought him a hat for his collection too. We lad lunch and tried one of Chicago's Itlaian beef sandwiches which reminded me of a cross between a Philly Steak sandwich and a French Dip with sauteed green peppers. George thought the sandwich needed horseradish mayo for more flavor. I liked it as is. We also bought a mini deep dish pizza which was inferior to the other pizza we have had in this area. When we went to get on another double decker bus, that is when we found out that the tickets for the tour were in a pretty miserable state. We were allowed on, but we didn't want to test our luck and try to use them again. So when we arrived once again at the Rock and Roll McDonalds, we decided to go back to the campground. After getting to the parking garage, that is when we found out that the app was wrong, as the parking cost us $36. George drove us back and we had left over pot roast for dinner. Abby was glad to see us, and I took her for a walk. After dinner the severe thunderstorms rolled in with heavy rains and winds. George said we could go out for ice cream but I opted to stay in as I was already cold and wet today and I was finally dry. Tomorrow we leave the Chicago suburbs for Celina, Ohio which will be our new base camp.
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