eeneR 3 #26 April 27, 2005 QuoteQuote Yea but if you arent used to the fun streets of downtown chicago...and all there fun one-wayness.... easy to get lost.... Okay, it has to be really difficult to get lost if you're at Union Station. There are signs everywhere pointing you to the expressway!!! True...but come on lets be realistic here...most people get down to chicago and stare at the buildings...not seeing the signs... Not saying everone does, but some people still do manage to get lost...She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #27 April 27, 2005 I am pretty good at travel, so I should be ok. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #28 April 27, 2005 QuoteAhhh! Will someone please hold my hand? You'll be fine! Downtown is easy to find your way around! Are you actually renting a car? You could probably find a ride (I can't leave work until 3 that Friday, and I have to be back in the city before 10 on Sunday...)There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #29 April 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteBefore he passed away, didn't Roger try to get Metra to stop near SDC? What is the status on that-did anyone pick that up and run w/it? Yea nothing new there, Joilet is still the closest station as far as I know. There is an Amtrack stop in Ottawa. Driving from downtown on a Friday afternoon will take about 2 hours - rush hour starts early on the weekends. Your best bet will be I-55 (Stevenson)South to I-80 West. You will run into two big traffic spots on I-55 near Damen and again near Weber (where it merges down to two lanes). From downtown to the I-80 exit will be about 45 miles and will be the only stretch you see traffic on. Once on I-80 you have about 40 miles to go to the dropzone thru mostly farm country. Unless their is an accident you should have clear roads (watch for state troopers, and they do use planes to catch speeders in that area). If there isn't anything happening at the Route 66 racetrack on Sunday you shouldn't face any traffic on I-80 back into the city. I-55 will start to slow down near Weber Road again and shouldn't be too bad the rest of the way in._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #30 April 27, 2005 Yes, I am renting a car at Union. I looked into taking Amtrak closer to Ottawa, but the next train headed that way wasn't until 3:30, so that didn't make much sense. I figured a rental car would be the easiest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jraf 0 #31 April 27, 2005 If you are renting a car: Friday - it should not take you longer than 75 minutes. Sunday - traffic on the 55 is pretty bad so count at least 2 hours for the return tripjraf Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui. Muff #3275 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craichead 0 #32 April 27, 2005 Gosh, from where we live (2.5 blocks from Union Station) it usually takes us only an hour to get to/from Chicagoland Skydiving in Hinckley (the other dropzone). _Pm__ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rbrcokflichk 0 #33 April 27, 2005 ha ha, yea P, was thinking the same thing, I can make it from WI to CSC in just over an hour and a half, go figure!!! I'd rather have an awkward morning than a boring night!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #34 April 27, 2005 QuoteYou'll be fine! Downtown is easy to find your way around! uh-huh.... and if you get lost, you can just blame it on mapquest! it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #35 April 27, 2005 Well of course it is, but sometimes just driving around the block is a pain. I used to drive downtown a lot. When I lived on the northside, it would take me longer to get to the expressway from the parking garage (about a mile straight down Madison) than it would to go the 30 some blocks on the expressway. edited for typos and spelling! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #36 April 27, 2005 Quote but sometimes just driving around the block is a pain. Not if you ignore lights and jay-walkers!!! I've never had a problem getting to the expressway from Union Station. It's not as evil as 80/94. I'm really despising being anywhere near it. Thank goodness I move soon!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #37 April 27, 2005 I think some of us were suggesting a little safe "padding" in case of unusual traffic. Of course, that's only really important on the return trip when he's got a car to return and a train to catch! I can make it to the dz from Berwyn in a little over an hour, and at least 10 minutes of that is getting to 55. When I lived on the north side, 75 minutes was about right since the expressway was really close. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #38 April 27, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteplus dealing with downtown traffic just to get on the expressway can be a bi*ch! The expressway is right by Union Station! Yea but if you arent used to the fun streets of downtown chicago...and all there fun one-wayness.... easy to get lost.... I've been taking the train to Union Station every week since January and I still get myself lost on occasion. It's easier than it looks (or I'm dumber than I look). And to add to what SkyMedic said, in my experience Amtrak trains are never on time. I used to take the train up from Champaign (only a 120 mile trip) a few times a year and I could count on being at least 30-45 minutes late. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #39 April 27, 2005 QuoteMy train arrives at 9:30am on May 20th Yay!! i finally get to grab your ass...i mean hug you... ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #40 April 28, 2005 You can do both! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #41 April 28, 2005 it will take you 1.5 hours to get to the dz. on a Friday , with traffic ,it could take up to 3 hours to get back to the city .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #42 April 28, 2005 Union Station is confusing. It took me awhile too. And FYI- for the out of towners, its a HUGE train station -actually has entrances 4 city blocks apart! Amtrak and at least 2 different commuter lines use the station. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
