Segways Rides with Kaylyn

It was time for Kaylyn's 13th birthday trip into the city. Every time we asked her just what she wanted to do, it would change. I decided to make the decision for her. I told Mike that one way she could see everything and have fun is the Segway tour. He loved the idea (we both have never tried them) and planned our day for us.
We took the 7:40 train into the city and jumped on the Orange line. Both first times for Kaylyn.

waiting on the platform

After a few wrong turns and some friendly directions from a UPS guy (I know there is GPS on our phones) we made it to the Segway place for our 10am tour.
After some individual instructions from Will we were off.

Mike taking instructions

I was so nervous, but it wasn't so bad, for some reason my feet would get so hot and it's not easy standing still - balancing. Mike, of course, had to signed us up for the 3 hour tour. It took you to more places. I would of been happy with just one hour, but the day wasn't about me now was it. We went up through Grant park made a few stops for some history talk. It wasn't easy for me to stand still. I did have to step off once before I fell off - Unlike Mike who just fell. By this time my feet were so hot. Mike's knees were stiff and Kaylyn was loving every second of it. We stopped at the fountain for pictures. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining and a beautiful breeze off the lake.

Kaylyn took her helmet off for each stop

We headed south and zipped around Soldiers Field and stopped again. I was getting better about getting on and off by then, but my feet were still hot. We then headed on over to Northernly Island and the hidden beach there. Apparently not to many people know about it. Then on over to the Museum Campus.




Aquarium stop

Planetarium stop

So even though it was a 3 hour tour we did get to get off and walk around a little bit. Thank God - My feet were HOT.
We had a group of 8 and the other 5 were from England.
When they travel, they take the Segway tours first thing in each city so then they know where they wanted to revisit. The aquarium was top of their list.
I liked to be at the back of the pack so I could go at a slower pace and the Father of the group hung back there with me. He told me he liked to go slower too. I really think he felt sorry for me - Old lady going slower.
They had 3 teenage boys and you guessed it Kaylyn had her eye on one of them. He was very cute in her defense.


What a great way around a city - so much ground covered.
Kaylyn's choice for lunch was Dick's Last Resort. Mike and I have been to these before so we knew what to expect. Mike told our waiter it was Kaylyn's birthday. She was loving the attention.

Selfie with Rob our waiter

The restaurant is right on the river so it was a no brainer to take the water taxi back to the train station. It's a great way to get there without fighting traffic or walking - my feet were still hot.

Papa and Kaylyn

We managed to catch the 3:30 train back home.

waiting for the Metra

We had a very special time with our grand daughter. Mike and I are both glad that she wanted to spend a day with us and that we could keep up with all that she wanted to do.
Lets hope we gave her a memory she will never forget.

Golf in Wisconsin

While most of my email coupons are for something to do with quilting Mike's is golfing.
When he asked me if I wanted to go golfing in Wisconsin I immediately answered Yes!
He got a coupon offer for Devil's Head resort in Merrimac. 2 days golf with 1 night.
I mentioned it to Sharen and they decided to join us. Yay...
They could only commit to one day of golf but that was ok with us, It's been too long since the 4 of us have been away together golfing.
We decided to head up the night before and stay over so we didn't have to hurry for golf the next day. Good thing because they had an afternoon special that the boys took advantage of - $25 unlimited golf. Sharen and I relaxed by the pool.

I wasn't sure that I would get through back to back days of golf, but I did it. I only got one round of  golf in last year and only a couple times this year, but my neck held up and I am ready to play.
The courses were not very busy and the weather was humid, but clouds kept the sun away.
Our second day it was just me and Mike.
We did have a few times when we were held up - like when Bambi here needed to cross the fairway to get to his mother.

I spotted a 3 ft. snake so I stopped going into the woods after any balls. No time wasted there.

Mike and I followed a groom and his buddies. They were having such a great time. They had music playing from their carts and kept the beverage cart girl jumping.
I did get a shout out from them from the other fairway on one hole that had a stone wall running across the fairway and I made it on my second shot. It actually hit the top of the wall and bounced forward. I got lucky.
They all gathered at the 18th green to finish together. Mike and just sat back and watched. Who can say that they followed a 14some?

It was so fun to get away for a few days and golf (without pain) with the Dupplers. I missed that.

We decided to take the shortcut home across Lake Wisconsin on the ferry. I have never been on a ferry you drive on. It was Awesome!
We got the first slot.

view out the windshield

I got out of the car to take a picture. It felt weird to leave car while we were moving.

I told Mike to keep his eyes out for some more getaway resort golf coupons. I could do that again.

Actor Friends

I always thought it was interesting to watch TV with Steve.
Being involved in the theater business He always talked about the actors and actresses by their real names. He would be telling a story and He would sometimes have to clarify who he was taking about by telling us their TV name.
He has stories of famous people that he has met and made friends with some. All of his NY friends are somehow related to show business. Makes total sense.
2 of them were performing in a play up in WI. and he invited us along to see it. It was a dinner theater at Fireside Theater in Fort Atkinson, WI. about an 1.5 hour drive. We met up with Deborah Jean before the play started. Nice, but a bit on the zany side for sure. She is our age and has been acting her whole life. She has her home in NYC, and loves the theater life. She is a great friend to Steve and rehearses at Pearl Studios, where he used to work.

A Second Helping is a play about kitchen ladies (I can so relate) in a Lutheran church basement in 1970. It was SO funny. 

You put some wigs and some costumes on these women and poof they are someone totally different. I know that is what acting is all about and I know acting is a job to them, but I was dumbfounded that it was so easy for them to be so transformed. And convincing.

We waited around after the show to tell her what an amazing job she did.
There was a line in the play that I have been preaching forever. Especially when I think I want to buy something new.
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without!
That was fun... And they have a great 5 course dinner.