Arkansas Blog

Max, any idea how much those flights might cost?

Ive only been to Chicago once, but I loved it. Didnt have time for any of the museums or anything -- we just walked and walked and walked. also every time we arrived at the aquarium, King Tut exhibit, whatever -- immediately, out of nowhere, 3 to 6 schoolbuses full of screaming chirren would materialize. Maybe another time.

we went to see the Cubs the next day. we drove to chicago but didnt get the car out the entire time we were there, our usual routine when going on trips. my former suitor, that rat, and I both like to walk, and you see so much more of a city that way -- talk to people, find out where people who live there like to eat, etc. We had a blast. stayed in an old hotel - with elevators so old they had those metal bars across the doors -- just a few blocks from wrigley field. one of the best times of my life.

all along lakeshore drive, obviously upwardly mobile yuppies jogging, walking fancy dogs, some intrepid souls even swimming in Lake Michigan, which was too cold for me but so clean everywhere, no trash, gorgeous. we just happened to find the Tall Ships exhibit? in town that week.

So if through some miracle I ever get to see Chicago again, its nice to know I could fly. No way I could drive that far on my own. Although we did get to stop off in Springfield and visit Mr. Lincoln's home, hard to do that on an airplane I suppose. all my life I've wanted to see a Cubs game. Can't believe I actually did. wrigley field had a sort of ray winder field atmosphere to it -- homey, comfortable, everybody polite and joking and having fun.

lord, lord, is there anything worse than hearing about someone else's trip? Sorry about that. still, I never realized how many cool things there are in Chicago for a family vacation or a romantical one either. we would've loved another day there.

one of my friends has a daughter in chicago - Im pretty sure she'll be interested in this little tidbit.

Very nice. I'm originally from the Chicago area and welcome the competition. SWA and American aren't too terrible but hopefully this will drive fares down a little.

If Chicago's Gold Coast or Miracle Mile is my destination, which it often is, I much prefer Southwest, since it goes into much closer Midway. But for connecting to The Great Beyond, hail yes: United's new flights into O'Hare will be super.

DEPART CHICAGO/ARRIVE LIT

8:00 am 9:48 am
1:10 pm 2:54 pm
8:15 am 10:03 pm

Wow, that third departure from O'Hare to Little Rock takes 14 hours. I can usually drive it in 12.

durango, maybe that's the bargain flight. I wonder if it's BYOCP (Bring Your Own Can of Peanuts) or if they'll splurge for maybe even a peanut butter sandwich for that long flight?

i would imagine it might be a misprint, probably 8:15 pm depature

I hope it's cheap because I'd love to go back there. My Mom and Dad met in Chicago and we lived for a couple of years in South Bend and went to Chicago frequently. My wife got her banking degree at Northwestern so there's a big connection. But my favorite Tina was the submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry and the Oak Room at Marshall Fields!

Hey, tina and Goof, we oughta gather in Chi-Town one of these days for a grand major league blowout of a good time! The first night, we could plan our activities while dining in the Cape Cod Room at the Drake. Talk about some fine, FINE fresh seafood. No kidding, wouldn't that be something if we could have a blog party in the Windy City!

Pencil me in, wife and I would love to do it. We've both been there many times but never together. Would love to see where my parents started out in Oak Park and I believe I still have family in Elgin. But would really like to go back and see that sub, Dad was trying to teach me family history. Great memories of Dad taking me to baseball games there.

Durango, that 14 hour flight might be one of those that is piloted by someone making 10.00 an hour like those folks who drove that plane into the ground outside of Albany not long ago...remember, the one that the pilot had very few hours in that type of "equipment" and the co-pilot who was a 24 year old young lady that looked as young as my grand-daughter. It might be safer to go ahead and load up the Buick and heading up I-55.

Goof,

Oak Park is a favorate of mine. For business I had to go to Chicago a couple times a year. Wife would tag along once a year in spring. Oak park is like an open air museum of Frank Loyd Wright. We stay at the Carelton. One block from the train. Take the train in to Michigan Avenue or back out to Midway or Ohare. Stay 4 or 5 days and use the train or busses and never need a car or cab.

I credit those trips showing my wife how to travel light. Back before her conversion any trip we took we looked like the Grapes of Wrath with every possession we owned. Overnight camping on the Buffalo River we would fill our whole jeep and still need to tie a box or two on the roof. Other campers would ask us if we were camping for the week or if we were camping our way across America.

Wife would bring 3 pair of boots for an overnight visit because you never know which might be best.

After a 3 day trip to Chicago with only a backpack (load up on socks and underwear only) no checking baggage, no baggage claim, carry your own snack for the plane, virtually no unpacking and then repacking at each hotel, no fear that the maid is scrubbing the toilet with your toothbrush becasue you have it with you in your pack plus you can brush and freshen up after every meal.

Now my wife is converted to a efficient traveler. Wife now is challenged to beat my brother and his girlfriend. They just did 10 days in Italy with only a backpack each. My dad picked them up at the airport and was convinced that traveller's fatigue dementia had set in when they claimed they did not need to meet at baggage claim.

Also as an end note, brother, his girlfriend, wife and myself are all in our 40's and 50's so don't think only college students in hostels can do the one bag traveling.

Or we could improve passenger train service to Chicago. Not as flashy as Max's fancy globetrotting journeys but still doable. Even better, how 'bout some workable rail schedules to Memphis or Dallas. Sorry, I'll check myself into the state hospital. Everybody knows trains are crazy. (That could be a song.)

When I flew to China to get my last granddaughter, I had to do the flight from Highfill to Chicago (direct) and then Japan. Doing a two parter from Little Rock with the airlines current capability to run late or cancel flights at the last minute would have risked making that non-cancelable flight from Chicago to Japan. While there can't be another granddaughter from China (the Chinese limit is 2), it may make it easier for someone else. I think it is great.

I remember that at one time you could fly from Highfill to either coast which you couldn't do (and may not still be able to do) from Little Rock.