Airports jammed with returning Americans and testing

[BHU]

I've heard about East Louis, terrible place. When we went thru Indiana we had to pass by Gary. What a place. Dirty, decrepit, run down, a mass of power lines next to I-95 like I've never seen before. Boy, do I pity those people.

[clarencebunsen]

Mar 18, 2020 13:28:30 GMT -5 BHU said:

Mar 18, 2020 9:04:36 GMT -5 Clipper said:

You are correct CB. Chicago is a great place to visit, but has become more than a bit sketchy after dark. My niece and her boyfriend are both young professionals, working and living in downtown Chicago. They have a beautiful apartment in a hi-rise building overlooking Lake Michigan, with a doorman and security in the lobby. If they go out at night they use a car service and wait in the lobby until the car arrives. They both have cars, but as is the case many times in NYC, they seldom use them.

I once had a scary experience in Chicago. I was making a delivery to a company that was closed for the night. The watchmen let me into the yard, and I backed up to dock and went to bed. I was awakened by two men, one on each side of the truck banging on the window in an effort to rob me. One had a knife. Thankfully it was a tall cab over tractor that required them to stand on a small step 4 or 5 feet above the ground and hold on to a grab rail with one hand. In a panic I jumped into the drivers seat in my undershorts, accelerated quickly and both fell off the truck. I drove THROUGH a chain link gate, drove to a truck top that was a couple of miles away, still in my underwear, and called the police. The company paid for the gate with insurance and there was only minor damage to the front of the truck. I always suspected that the watchman was in cahoots with the two robbers. Welcome to SE Chicago after dark.

We drove through Chicago a few years ago on our way to Wisconsin to visit relatives. We were on the main interstate, all tore up from construction going on headed north when the car overheated. So there we were, middle of summer on the shoulder waiting for the engine to cool off so we could get out of there, traffic buzzing by at 70 m.p.h. But nobody bothered us as it was in the afternoon. We ended up finally getting out of there once it cooled down. Got out of Chicago, puled off the interstate, & found a part store where I had to replace the radiator fan in the parking lot in 85 degree heat. I shudder to think what could have happened if it was dark.

I started using synthetic oil several years ago trying to get through Chicago in mid-summer with everything under construction. A/C was on full. Engine gauges showed engine temps climbing and oil pressure dropping. I had gauges on that van rather than idiot lights. I had to switch off the A/C in order to get things under control. Since I switched to synthetic I have not had a problem like that again.

Where were you going in Wisconsin?

[clarencebunsen]

When I was a kid we lived in NW Indiana for about 4 years. My father got his first engineering job there. (After WWII, college and a couple years working for a defense contractor which kept him from being sent to Korea.) Where we lived was rural but Gary was gritty even then, early 50's.

[Ralph]

    Shoot Clipper, when I drop the truck off to have work done on it I walk all the way home.
From York & Noyes to my house.
At 11:30 PM.

[Clipper]

Mar 18, 2020 21:38:15 GMT -5 Ralph said:

    Shoot Clipper, when I drop the truck off to have work done on it I walk all the way home.
From York & Noyes to my house.
At 11:30 PM.

I am sure that you are most likely carrying your little buddy somewhere on your person. You have worked nights long enough to take comfort in having it with you. Especially after the attempted robbery when you were closing at night at Dunkin.

[Ralph]

Just like American Express.

[Deleted]

I know they live somewhere near Oakwood Beach since he bikes the usual 5 miles there and back to his Condo. Last trip he made was to Hyde Park which is a 12 mile bike ride. He and his wife are into bicycling. If I go I better get my legs in shape. I cannot imagine bicycling 12 miles for fun!!!! He was a Franciscan Brother with the group I was in and his wife was a Franciscan Nun. I hang with some odd people. He also has a Master's degree in Liturgical Music and is an exceptional organist. His hobby keeps him busy playing in various Churches both Catholic and Protestant and he teaches Music Theory and Organ and some other things Here is a photo he sent a few years ago looking across to his neighborhood, South Shore. — at Promontory Point.