Friday July 21 - Monday July 24 (Port Orchard to Okemos via Chicago)

Friday

The weather was partly cloudy but mild as I ate breakfast. The flight to Chicago was still on schedule and the forecast was for thundery showers, very humid in Chicago.

After breakfast, I finished my final packing, said my farewells to the girls and we left just after 9.30 am. Cheryl is going to visit her grand children and is flying to Boise today, her flight was well before mine.

I am on my way to visit friends in Michigan so it was farewell to Cheryl and Jim today. 

I am taking some great memories with me, the two wonderful four leggeds, a great day in Seattle, the Kite Festival, some great eating places, fireworks, a wonderful weekend in Oregon, the gorgeous weather and equally gorgeous sunsets, the juvenile eagle, the eagle on the home pine tree and, last but not least, the great company.

Cheryl and Jim always look after me so well, I feel very much at home and I am so grateful that they open their home to me. 

These words seem so inadequate to express how I feel but I really appreciate their friendship and would like to thank them once again for putting up with this travelling kiwi!! 

I spent my time in the United Club although I did pop out for a coffee! Boarding was on time and everyone was on board in time but we were let sitting at the gate for some time and eventually moved ten minutes after take off time! 

There were some great views, including Mt Baker, as we took off although it did not take long until we were in the clouds. There was plenty to see down below as the cloud dispersed somewhat. I always think the land is so beautiful from above.

I saw what appeared to be a few fires and then there were some very interesting cloud formations, we passed very close to some cumulus, almost thundery!

As we travelled nearer to Chicago, the cloud grew thicker and darker, the seat belt signs came on but it really was not too bad, a few small bumps was all we felt. 

The captain warned us it might be rough as we neared the airport but we were lucky as we seem to have caught a gap in the storm, the cloud was much lighter over the airport although very dark all the way round. I even saw quite a bit of lightening! I was talking to one of the passengers while we were waiting for our baggage and she said "I know you!", after a pause she added "You were on that Alaskan Cruise", "In 2011?" I responded, "Yes" she said!!! I am not sure how I feel about that, lol!!

Over to the Hilton (I got a good deal) and I could not believe my eyes, the check in queue was so long. Apparently it was due to late/cancelled flights. There was no separation for Pepe who had made actual bookings so it took half an hour to check in 

Up to my room, finally, and I made delicious egg sandwiches for my tea and for good measure made a cup of tea to go with them, lol! I had brought the ingredients with me!

I found it difficult to sleep but finally managed a few hours.

Saturday

Well, the Hilton service this morning was appalling. Last night a lovely older fellow had taken my luggage up to my room , he told me what to do in the morning and said all would be good. Well, I rang the bell hop number he gave me four times with no reply so I rang the hotel operator and was connected and answered straight away. I was told someone was on the way. 

Twenty minutes later after two employees had rung them, a security guard appeared, he thought I was locked out of my room, lol. He took my bags and found a shuttle to take me to the GO Airport Express to travel to Union a Station. I will be writing to the manager! It was fairly cloudy and quite humid today!

We had a good drive into town from the airport, I love when you can see John Hancock Tower on the left and the Willis Tower on the right with most of downtown spread between them. 

We hit heavy traffic once we took the exit for Ohio a Street and crawled for a distance. I struggled at Union Station but an employee helped me too the Legacy Club from where I would get Red Cap assistance. It is pleasant in the lounge, free WiFi and snacks so well worth the $20 for three hours.

We departed on time and the sun was shining with plenty of blue sky once we were out of Union a Station. The East Lansing car was, as per usual, just about full up. I am not sure why people have to spend the whole trip talking loudly on their phones! Some people do not understand train etiquette! Neither did the lazy people from the coach next door, they could not be bothered to walk to the rear of their coach so used the restrooms in this, very full coach, hmmmmm!

We had a good run although lost time by having to go slow on the run in to Kalamazoo. Not long after Kalamazoo, there were some crossings and the we came to an abrupt stop, it appears as if a car might have hit the rear of the train, maybe an impatient driver, who knows. We were stationary for 40 minutes before the all clear was given, the car driver is OK, phew!

I arrived safely at East Lansing and my friends were there to pick me up! It did not take too long to drive to their home in Okemos and I unpacked what I needed to. I felt a bit off so decided not have the cup of tea I was looking forward to, just some water. Some time later, after my shower, I vomited and it was a bilious attack, my very first one, lol!! It was not a pleasant experience and I had some water but that came back up. I did manage some sleep!!

Sunday

I felt a wee bit better today but only had water to begin with. Later I had a cup of tea with a piece of toast. I spent a quiet day although Rick took me to Walmart to do some necessary shopping. Later, I managed some scrambled egg on toast for tea. I did not really notice the weather much today, lol, there was quite a bt of cloud around when we left for Walmart but the sun was shining when we returned home. 

Monday

I felt a bit better today, although seemed to be low in energy, and needed to catch up on my washing as well as the blog. It was cloudy this morning but later the sun came out and it warmed up quite quickly. I also packed for our trip to South Haven, we will be leaving about lunchtime tomorrow. 

I have caught up with the animals! Fuggley, to dog, is now 17 and showing his age, he still eats well which is  good sign. Lucky and Fluffy, the two cats, are the same as ever. Lucky (SH black) sits outside my bedroom door and yowls to be let in, he just wants to eat the flowers in there, lol! Fluffy (LH grey with some light patches) is a character and will flop down on the floor in front of you to get some petting!