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Chicago & Las
Vegas
Just after the terrible events in New York and
D.C.,
we had two days in Chicago, four in Las Vegas and another two again in
Chicago on the way home. Our son had decided a year ago to get married
in Las Vegas and all the bookings were completed. We faced a moral
dilemma. Would it be out of place if we continued with our trip? It
was decided, after much discussion, that we must continue. It would have
been just a small victory to the terrorists. We arrived in Chicago on time. June was expertly taken off, and there was a lovely lady waiting to get us through immigration and customs. O'Hare Airport--being probably the busiest in the world--had its ground transportation problems. Long queues for taxi's. As we were not under any pressure for time, we decided to attempt Chicago's rail system. Took an airport internal train to the rail station, and there the staff really indulged us, planning a route to take us to the Holiday Inn City Centre. We were assisted on the train
and the journey was about 45 minutes for the princely sum of $1.50. It
was a $5 taxi journey from the station to the hotel. Ahhhhhhhhh, what a
delightful place. Unfortunately for them, they were suffering badly from
cancelled bookings in these sad times. For us, we were indulged. The
room had everything that a disabled person required. Roll- in, roll-out
showers are such a boon. Had a few drinks in the bar, meeting up with
policemen and their wives from our small town. A small world. The
weather was very autumnal, although rain free. We ate in a Spanish Tapas
bar. The food was exceptional. Returning to the hotel, we had a call
from Rose Anne who lives about an hour away from the hotel. She kindly
offered a grand tour of Chicago tomorrow. We accepted with the greatest
of pleasure. Walking out in the rain, we found a superb rib
place called Lawrey's. They had a small elevator that lifted June from
one level to another—a matter of two feet. The prices reflected the
good food and service. It was an arm and nearly both legs. Got back to
the hotel wet but happy and had the staff fighting over who would supply
the taxi to take us to the airport early next morning. We all went back to our rooms to freshen up after
the ordeal, and then we heard the wail. Aghhhhhhhhhhhhh, where are my
suit pants? This from Ian. On checking his suit, he had only brought his
jacket. The cleaners had packed them in two separate bags. We now knew
our next job. Eventually he got fixed up at designer prices, but what
the hell he had peace of mind. Explored various casinos, having a
delightful time losing money little bit by little bit. Continued after a
great feed of ribs in a casino, which one I know not as the casinos
were getting to be the same after a while. It was noticeable how few
people were about. It was estimated that it was only 40% off normal. All
superbly wheelchair friendly--we were not pushed or denied views.
Then it was the sublime to the ridiculous. After a few drinks in the
casino bar, Ian decided that a small snack was in order. We did not want
to eat a great deal as we were going to the Stratosphere for a slap up
meal in the early evening. June and I were lead screaming to a
McDonalds. Euuuuuuk. It was totally disgusting. At least Ian was happy.
After this rather strange wedding breakfast, we changed and explored all
the facilities of our own hotel. It is really vast. Not one of us dared
go on to the indoor high rides. Particularly June and I, the oldies, who
were still trying to digest a Big Mac. In the evening, walking to the
Stratosphere, we realised how empty Las Vegas was. We never knew that
you had normally to book well in advance for the pleasure of dining in
the revolving restaurant. Going up to the top was an experience in
itself. It was high and fast--800 ft., they told us. The meal was superb
and the view spectacular. The restaurant revolved 360 degrees in an
hour. They claimed they had the shortest lift on an elevator. June was
put in this machine, and it moved about seven inches, then she was in the
dining area. We sat the night out there with no one to bother us. It was
still hot around midnight. The end of a perfect day.
Security was great, a proper search of all bags. The view was totally
awe-inspiring. Lots of pictures and conversations. After walking what
seems forever taking in all the shopping, we ended up inside the American
Girls Shop. June wanted to see what houses there were. I felt a little
strange amongst all the young girls who were really bending their
parent's credit cards. Harassed fathers were only too happy to pay up
and get out. Saw a strange protest march against the proposed
retaliation in Afghanistan. It was going down like a stone yo-yo. The
abuse that was being hurled against them was totally expected. June and
I thought it totally incongruous that these people were protesting under
more flags than we Brits see in 25 years. We ended the day at a Thai
restaurant; it was nice but very different. Finished off with a few
drinks at the hotel and then off to bed. A tiring but very satisfying
day. We decided that Chicago must be one of the most wheelchair-friendly places we have ever visited. It deserves a greater exploration at a later date. Arrived back at the hotel just in time to catch our connection to the airport. June's security search was the most intense since being in India 25 years ago. She sat, crouched, stood, while they did a full body search, including the chair. Most gratifying to say the least. The flight was brilliant, plenty of legroom and we arrived on time at Manchester. Alas, we had over two hours to wait for our connection to Penrith. I hunted the station manager and requested an earlier connection. Hooray no problem! We changed at Preston and were put in first class with all its advantages-- like free drink, etc. Home around noon and fell into bed and slept the sleep of the just. The end of yet another fantastic adventure. Read Syd & June’s previous adventure along
the East Coast Of
America from Boston
to Richmond and return. Back to
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Woke up to heavy rain. It was positively hammering down. Rose Anne rang
to say they were an hour out from meeting us. Shuffled off to our first
American breakfast of this trip. Huge--just huge. The timing was superb.
Just as we reached the street, Rose and Chuck rolled up. A guided tour
par excellence for the remainder of the day. They showed us places that
we would never have found on our own. Nothing was too much trouble.
Chuck stopped the car as I would nip out to take pictures. We tried the
Sears Tower viewing, but security had stopped the trips. We tried the
Hancock Tower but that was a not on as the rain mist and low clouds made
viewing impossible. The security at the Hancock was pretty severe as all
bags were searched on entry. The highlight of the day was visiting the
Museum of Science and History. Security here, if it had not been
serious, was laughable. The lady who inspected June’s bag just shone a
light into it as she kept talking to her colleague. I do believe that if
we had spent two weeks there we would not have covered it all. June was
in her element viewing the fairy castle. It is in 1/12 scale and is
reputed to be worth millions. Leaving there, we were caught up in the
heavy traffic from a football game. It was slow driving but we saw such
a lot. Said goodbye to Rose and Chuck with many thanks.
Amazingly we all had a lie in before Sheena departed to the
hairdressers. We bumbled around until 11 o'clock when all dressed up to
the nines, getting admiring glances, we trooped off to the chapel. All
the officials were waiting, including the photographer. June and I had
dual roles. I gave the bride away, then jumped to best man and June was
maid of honour and flower girl. The ceremony was lovely and the bride
cried. All over and dusted in a very short time. Totally delightful. 
Up early to do some serious sightseeing and shopping. A wonderful,
glorious, sunny day. Made one glad to be alive. Found ourselves outside
a huge shop, Marshall Fields. The difficulty arose when we could not
find a way in for a wheelchair because they only had