chicago
 

so, the wife is running in the Chicago marathon in October. I've only been there once and swore i'd never drive there again...not familiar w/the area at all.

we're considering taking Amtrak up. staying at the Hilton Chicago, which looks like it's pretty much right at the start/finish. according to google, it's 1.2 miles from the Amtrak station. wife says we can walk it to the hotel and back when we head home.

to those who are familiar w/the area, is this a good idea, or do you suggest we take a cab? the walk doesn't bother me as long as it's safe. I mean, she runs...I don't.

any answers/suggestions are appreciated.

thanks,
sec
(just a dumb country boy that doesn't get away from home very often)

My best friend takes Amtrak up from Kirksville (LaPlata) often. Their service is much better now that it has been in the past.

You'll definitely want to cab it, though. 1.2 miles = 12 blocks of hauling luggage. That would suck.

Other than that, doesn't sound like a bad idea. I hate driving up here and have been used to it for decades.

seclark likes fast women.

I have nothing more to contribute.

LMAO

well, to be honest, all i'm carrying fits in a backpack. she's got all her shit in the suitcase and is the health fruitcake. if she can run 26.2 mi, surely she ought to be able to pull a suitcase on rollers for 1.2, but I see your point.

she's getting prices to ride up from quincy, but I don't know why...we're only 5miles from the laplata Amtrak station. I guess i'll mention it to her.

thanks,
sec

1.2 miles in Chicago = 2.75 hours = $200. Take the rail

Please be careful where you go. There have been over 500 murders this year and Rahm doesn't give a shit either. Granted the majority are gang murders but they are getting very bold and starting to move this gang crap outside of the hoods now.

Or is it women with endurance?

she's not fast at everything. it took her over an hour to wash my pickup sunday. when I mentioned to her she missed a spot, she told me to go **** myself.
sec

Union Station and the area's he is referring to, they will be fine

That is all business / tourist area - the crime that goes on down there isn't murder

Chicago Marathon = Sunday, October 13th, 2013 = Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs = antifreeze

shit:mad:
sec

You could go here to watch the game while Mrs. seclark is jogging. :)

http://www.tiltedkilt.com/

Bearcat and I have had lunch here before. They might have enough TVs to air multiple games.

If only there were a way to do both...

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sweet...that's a 16 minute walk from the hotel. son and his wife(who is also running) are going too, but spending the week due to a meeting she has. i'm starting to form a plan.
sec

Are you planning to be here on any weekdays, or just over the weekend?

Agree, the El is a good way to get around if you're trying to keep your budget low. Their buses aren't bad either, IMO.

I think we're coming in sat morning and leaving Monday some time.
sec

I generally go there a number of times, and in fact am going in a couple weeks. Anyway, the difference in Amtrak vs Southwest flying into Midway was about $30 roundtrip (at least for my upcoming trip). 1.5 hrs in the air or 8+ on the rail from KC.

If you fly into Midway, you can get a 3 day CTA pass (good for rail and buses) right at the orange line stop in the airport from their pseudo ATM. Its like $13 for that 3 day pass. Not sure cost of a 7 day pass.

thanks for the info, all.
sec

Good tip. SEC in case you aren't aware the Kilt is like Hooters but with hotter girls. Just in case you're wife is the kind that objects to this sort of place.

Probably won't work for doing lunch/drinks, then. Oh well.

Looks like the blue line would get you halfway there... I've never used Amtrak in Chicago, but downtown is fine. I've walked around that area quite a bit and besides declining the invitation to open my wallet for a couple of homeless people, I've never been bothered.

And yeah, Titled Kilt is cool... better food than Hooters and the scenery is at least just as nice.

i'm aware, and she knows i'm harmless...it's all good.
sec

thanks, but i'm staying close to the hotel and getting the hell out of there as soon as I can.
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MUCH better good. And hotter girls, at least in Phoenix.

:thumb:

I've been to Tilted Kilt in Chicago more in the past 5 or 10 years than any Hooters... I'll always opt for Buffalo Wild Wings or any other sports bar.

Agreed. I don't do Hooters or any of the"girl" bars typically. I like my neighborhood hang out.

Trust me...you do not want to haul/roll a suitcase for a mile + through Chicago. Download a free app on your phone for the transit lines (the "l") and take the train. The app is really handy. It shows you all the stops and tells you how long your wait until the next train is.

all right...**** it. you guys have convinced me that i'm not walking. either transit or cab, but i'm not hoofing it.
sec

i heard there are black people there

so what...there's still ljs.
sec

What you talkin' about? We have some of the strictest gun control laws in the country, it must be safe!

And a cab won't be all that expensive - I can get from Union Station to my office for about $7 in rush hour traffic, and that's about 10 blocks. They do charge an additional $2 for an extra person.

A cab may be less headache because if the trains are crowded, it could be pure hell with a suitcase. Plus the el can get delayed randomly, where with a cab you pretty much know what you are getting. On a Saturday you shouldn't hit much traffic on the route to the hotel. A cab may cost you 10 bucks more at most.

bumped to tell you guys that it was a great time and to thank you all again for the tips and advice.

out of 40 to 45 thousand(I forget) runners, the wife had a time of 3:44:12(not as fast as she wanted, but whatever).

she came in 7073 overall
1594th in all women
50th in her age category

so far, it's been her favorite marathon...the people were great and very supportive along the course.
I didn't have to drive, stayed moderately buzzed and enjoyed the entire trip.

only bad part was old uncle ernie fell and broke his hip while we were on the train home. been w/him at the hospital most of the night and am waiting w/him to be taken back to surgery this morning. what a pisser!

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Sitting cross legged on the floooooor....

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Sucks about Uncle Ernie bro. He's tough and will be makin you crazy all winter. Come next spring he will be right back at it.

hope so.
docs asked him what he wanted them to do if his heart stopped during surgery...said he'd appreciate it if someone would bury him.
thanks,
sec

Atta kidLMAO

Heh. Dude must be hysterical.