I recently went on a long weekend trip to Chicago for my 35th Birthday, here is a summary of Day 3′s adventures – June 8, 2013.

• A lot simpler day, but still an excellent day!
• Started off with another nice breakfast at the hotel and a drive to my favorite CTA station to head out.
• Went to a spa for a nice several hours of relaxing and being pampered. It is always a nice feeling, too bad it doesn’t last longer!
• The trip back was a little slower because of traffic (I had to take a bus part of the way, so they get stuck in traffic just like everyone else!)
• Then I drove out to Aurora to visit my cousin Brian.
  • I picked him up at this apartment and headed out to correct a wrong I’ve been told I have committed. That is being in Chicago and not having gone to Portillo’s. I’m glad I was set on the right path because it was a great place and great food.
  • We then went out to drive around Fermi Lab. Looked around one of the buildings, but being late on a Saturday pretty much everything was closed. Picked up a little magazine and a DVD though, and it was still neat reading some of the signs they have around.
  • Also, drove to see the buffalo herd, but they were in an enclosed fence area, so really couldn’t see them either. Just something else to add to my list to do when I come back again, is to come on a weekend when they give tours and have discussions with their scientists.
  • We then went back to Brian’s apartment and after taking forever making up our minds – decided to stay in and watch the Fermi Lab DVD and then some episodes of The Muppet Show. Great choice I must say, had a great time watching them.
  • It was a nice relaxing and fun evening – a nice change of pace from the last few days. Always nice to hang out with someone who has a lot of personality traits in common with oneself.
• The drive back was not too bad except for when I was getting close to the exit for my hotel, there was major construction starting – as in they were going to shut down the entire northbound freeway at midnight, and then there was an accident. Accidentally got off at the wrong exit, but by doing so I seem to have skipped the last toll and possibly more traffic, but I made it back to my hotel safe and sound. Where they didn’t leave me a note and a drink today, but instead left a bottle of cleaning solution. Hopefully that isn’t a hint!
• Speaking of tolls, it’s interesting at the wide variety of attitudes of the toll collectors. Some are just silent and do their job without smiling or saying a word. Others are polite and ask for the fare and say “Thank You.” Others are very polite and seem to actually enjoy their job. But the best was tonight. Pull up, and the guy is silent, so I think, “OK, another one of the silent ones”, I get my change and say “Thank You” and he starts going on about how this country isn’t going to be right as long as the president is in office because he’s destroying the country – or something like that. I took that as my cue that our transaction was done and it was time for me to go!
• 2 more days of my fun little Birthday Adventure await!!!