07.05 - Day 113 - Madison to Chicago

Tuesday 7th May - Madison, Wisconsin - Chicago, Illinois (Day 113)

Greg and Melissa have done an excellent sales pitch for Madison even controlling the weather such that it rained the morning before we arrived, has been dry our whole stay but finally the rain catches up with us, thunder rumbling moments after lightning cracks. 

The kids get their schoolwork done, Seb motivated by the prospective last play with the toys, Sienna ploughing through the library book she’ll have to leave behind. We load up the car in the garage and after a very grateful thank-you, it’s a wet 3 hour drive to western Chicago. 

The Clarion Inn in Elmshurst is convenient for freeway access, but its location in an industrial park and uninspiring room are not quite made up for the car charging access and swimming pool. At least dinner, a 10 minute drive away at Raisin’ Canes is as satisfying as the last one I had in LA with Daniel en route to the ice hockey. 

Seb tried the pool but after a few jumps declared it too cold, so it must be cold. 

As has been the case for all our new towns and cities, Kate and I are reading up on what to do tomorrow in Chicago and formulating a plan as the kids edge off to sleep. In the oddly small beds - they seem wider than a king single but smaller than a double, such that we decide it’s best if Seb and Kate sleep in one and Sienna and I in the other.