Aug 7 – The Mad Dash to Chicago

Sunday, Aug 7, is the mad dash to Chicago. 700+ miles from Tuscaloosa, AL to Chicago, IL. 11 hours in the saddle.

  • US69 north to I-65
  • I-65 north to to I-94 in Gary, IN
  • West & north on I-94 to downtown Chicago
  • Navigate to the Congress Plaza Hotel

Interesting attractions (distractions) along the way…

  • Should we stop at the Corvette museum in Bowling Green?
  • What about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum? I think we’ll be too late…
  • Booked a lake view room at the Congress Plaza Hotel

Leaving the family homestead, it’s following Tierce Patton Road east to AL69, following 69 north to Jasper and then northeast until we intersect with I-65.

We follow the I-65 signs through Nashville, past the Corvette museum in Bowling Green, KY, through Louisville into Indiana. Rolling through Indianapolis with a brief detour to drive by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, follow I-65 all the way to Gary, IN on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are two options at that point: I-94 west and then north, or I-90 which saves a few miles but is a toll road. I’ll probably elect for I-94 so I don’t have to stop and pay the tolls.

Into Chicago, I-55 east to take the scenic route on US41 north past McCormick Place, Soldier Field, the two museums and then Grant Park with Lake Michigan just beyond. Left turn at the Buckingham Fountain, left onto Michigan Ave and we’re there.

Sunday Draws to a Close

We made it. Sunday started out with a spirited drive up US69 out of Tuscaloosa, through Jasper and then connection to I-65. Dillon drove. I didn’t need to change my underwear.

We missed the turn winding out of Jasper and backtracked a couple of miles, cut through some back roads and picked up US69 and continued a nice drive down the 2-land blacktop.

Made good time into Tennessee, until an accident backed up traffic for 5 miles and 45 minutes. It was but a harbinger of things to come, as there were a number of traffic accidents and a lot of construction areas.

The Vette drove well. Sure, it’s a stiff suspension so it doesn’t ride like a Cadillac, but it handles well and the ride was not uncomfortable. The engine ran like a top, tires performed well in the rain, brakes are top-notch and no complaints. The steering is pretty sensitive and you have to pay attention when you’re driving, no land yacht cruising with this one! Small movements of the wheel and the car is drifting towards the other lane. A good driver’s car.

To cap off the driver’s car, we stopped by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Drove through the tunnel under the track (!!!) but it was just as they were closing so we had to turn around and leave. No time for pictures, alas. We did snap a few as we turned around. I was at the race with my parents and brother in 1972, my first time even in the vicinity since then. I’ll get more pics posted of our brief “fly-by” of the speedway.

More rain, lots of stop and go in traffic jams, arrived two hours later than projected in Chicago. Looking forward to Tuesday!

Once again, videos coming later as it’s two hours later than I planned and past my bedtime!

On the Shores of Lake Tuscaloosa

Looking west from the shoreline of the family homestead, and then north up the inlet.

The BIG Traffic Jam

5 Miles. 45 Minutes. Only the beginning.

And MORE Traffic Stops

I wish I took a short video of every stop. It would make a funny out-take reel.

 

Arriving in Chicago

We were supposed to arrive around 7:00pm. Does this look like 7:00pm in August to you? Closer to 9:00pm.

The Congress Plaza Hotel

Great location. A classic beauty in the day. A little worn around the edges when you look closely.

 

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