Journal 1

Journal Day 1 - Chicago

The day started very early at 5am for a shuttle ride to the airport in Burbank. After a layover in Phoenix, I arrived in Chicago's Midway airport about 30 minutes early. Sarah was flying in from South Dakota and her plane, which was to arrive before mine was delayed. I picked up my luggage and waited for Sarah to arrive. Believe it or not, it was our first time meeting face to face. Yet I knew who Sarah was as she came down the stairs to the luggage pick up.

We called Georgann, and after she picked us up we headed to Giordano's to meet Becky and her mom, Diane, for dinner. We had a great time chatting and getting to know each other. Although Becky and I had met at the December Celtic Thunder show, and Gerogann and Sarah had met at the Des Moines show. The deep dish pizza was to die for and only second to the chatter and craic at the table.

After dinner and some parting hugs, we headed back to Georgann's to chat some more and watch the Celtic Thunder Take Me Home show that Georgann had taped for me. Made for a perfect end to the evening.

And so ended my first day on my way to Ireland.

Final Travel Countdown

So this time tomorrow I will have landed in Chicago on the first leg of my trip. In Chicago I'll be meeting up with my other travel companions, Sarah and Georgann. We'll also be meeting with another friend, Becky, for a little bon voyage dinner at an Italian restaurant, and then heading off to Georgann's to settle in for the night and watch the Celtic Thunder Take Me Home show. They still haven't played it in my viewing area, so I'm looking forward to seeing the spring show.

Tuesday will be a day for us all to get acquainted and talk about the trip itinerary and maybe even a little pampering, until it's time to head for the airport around 3PM for the 7Pm flight to Dublin.
We're planning on going to a Chicago landmark eatery, Portillos, for lunch. From what I hear it's great food but a little on the "heart attack on a plate" type menu. One time can't kill me, will it? LOL (I'll let you know know about their cheese fries in a later blog)

After tons of packing and unpacking I have finally conquered the suitcase, and it closes just fine without being expanded. I'm hoping that I will not miss the items I am leaving behind, but have opted for a few that are not as bulky in the suitcase. This changing weather has left me to rethink my travel clothes for tomorrow at least 3 times. Funny thing is that I'm actually back to my original choice.

My check off list is down to about 3-4 items, so I'm happy not to be rushing around at the last minute. Which is really amazing for me. So I'm off to finish those last items and get some dinner.
Chicago, here I come!