Bus to Train and Back Again : It's All Good

I would say that our formal introduction to public transportation went rather well.  The MegaBus trip to Chicago was really the perfect way to travel for two girls and a mom who is used to be the passenger rather than the driver on long trips.  You see, my husband and I have this deal: he drives and I entertain him and keep all other passengers happy.  I'm good at that role.  In fact, I can "travel" throughout our minivan while it's moving. 

The Mega Bus allowed the girls and I to stretch out, watch movies, play computer games, and of course, the on board "faculties" meant we could travel without stopping for potty breaks.  The seats were ubercomfortable with plenty of room to stretch out and for most of the trip to Chicago were each had our own row.  Miss A had the upper level front seat which meant she had a huge window to watch the world go by and her "friend" Rose even had a special spot.  Once we got a few more passengers in Iowa City, the two girls shared the front row and got a great seat for Chicago traffic viewing.

I was a little nervous about our arrival in Chicago; finding the train station, grabbing something to eat, and carrying all our luggage and keeping my eyes on the girls.  Thankfully, a kind family on board adopted us and made sure we found the train station (which of course was right across the street from our bus stop) and helped us get going in the right direction.  People really are nice!

After buying the train tickets out to the Suburbs, we had time to grab some dinner and just watch the hustle and bustle of Union Station on a work night.  Getting on board the commuter train was a little disappointing for Miss A; she did not think it looked like a train and the inside of the train was not what she expected.  Thankfully, the conductor who took our tickets was "dressed" appropriately so she finally believed me that were traveling by rail. 

Our trip back home from Chicago went well too except for the fact that the Bus Driver decided to quit minutes before our scheduled departure from Chicago's Union Station meaning that we waited outside in the cold for an hour and a half waiting for a new bus and driver!!  Thankfully, Miss A had already eaten her Chicago Dog minus anything actually Chicago about it at 10:30 that morning in Union Station.  Otherwise, it would have been a chilly dog!

I'd definitely travel by Mega Bus again with the kids.  It's a perfect way to travel on short distances by myself.  I'm thinking that if we have a long week this summer, we might hop on it again to Chicago to catch a Cubs Game.  With relatives in Chicago, we would have a place to stay and all the transportation we would need to and from trains and buses.  However, there is something to be said for having a car to drive plus you can bring whatever you want along and not worry about having to drag it through the station.  My husband is pretty good company too and normally he allows us at least one stop to stretch our legs and use the restroom.  That's one more than he usually stops for himself.

Public transportation is not a bad way to commute.  I'm just glad I live where it's still a "treat" instead of a necessity.  I think I'd get awfully bored riding the train every day!

Chicago: My Kinda Town

We had a fabulous long weekend in Chicago. Miss A said it was like a little adventure. From the bus trip to Chicago to the Train trip out to the suburbs to see the in-laws, we were girls on a mission.  Part of the mission was just to get all three of us and all our luggage to arrive in one piece! Not an easy task with two tired kids and two huge bags.  Thankfully, there are some kind folks willing to help a poor mom out.

Friday was shopping day!  The girls and I went to an outlet mall and, while we didn't leave with huge bags of things, we did make a little dent in our pockets.  Later, we went to our favorite destination: IKEA.  The girls loved trying out the little rooms and small spaces they had set up with furniture and pretend that they were at their super hip studio apartments in Chicago.  Miss A even sat at a desk and said to leave her alone as she had a writing deadline later that day! 

Of course, still on my "40 bags" kick, I kept salivating over the organizational systems, storage baskets, and jars for stuff.  Thankfully, we were already piled high in our suitcases or I'm sure I would have come home with tons.  IKEA does a great job of making ordinary things looks so perfect that you want to just drop one of their "rooms" right into the middle of your house. No wonder the girls were loving playing "house" in their mock ups!

The real reason we were in Chicago, of course, was for M to compete in dance and take a weekend of classes from teachers from all over the country.  Miss M's team won a silver medal for their tap routine and, while I again had to divert my eyes due to some of the costuming an choreography, I was so happy with our own studios' performance and costumes.  No compromising on our part. Miss M was in seventh heaven taking nearly 10 hours of dances classes Saturday and Sunday.  That girl loves to dance.

It was so fun to have Uncle S and Aunt C join us Saturday night for the performance along with B & B. Normally, this side of the family doesn't get to see the dance recitals so it was a treat for Miss M to have them all in the crowd cheering away.  We even got to sneak M away from the hotel for a nice dinner out to celebrate.  Poor M was so tired that she could barely stay awake! 

It was a fun but quick trip to Chicago and, by Sunday night, we were all a little tired.  Of course, we still had a long day ahead of us; Monday, travel day!