Hot Hands

Yesterday was our YSA trip to Chicago. There was a winter storm WARNING (more serious than a WATCH). All was fine in the morning but snow started as we were driving to Woodridge to meet the bus. The wind started up and the snow was swirling. It was a very wet rain/snow and the roads were getting bad. We ended up waiting for a few people to come and one girl missed out all together. We drove (slowly) into the city and saw many cars that had gone off the road and a few crashes. We were supposed to be at the Cadillac Palace Theater at 2:00 but with the conditions, we were a few minutes late. So then we had to watch the monitor until they would let us in. By then, there were people sitting in our seats and they had to be rousted out before we could be seated. Finally, we could settle down and watch. Phantom was terriffic and we really enjoyed the music and the acting.
After we got out, we had an hour and a half on our own to go to the German Christmas market or Macy's (Field's) or anywhere else as long as we met the bus at 6. We walked (very slowly because of the ice on the sidewalks) to the Daley Plaza where the market was set up and enjoyed a bratwurst sandwich with sourkraut. The rain/snow was just pouring down and freezing as it came. Our coats seemed to lose all of the waterproofing and Dad lost a glove trying to help me get my hood tied. We walked around for a little while and then made our way back to where the bus was to come.
Now for the handy hint of the day (see the title) - Hot Hands! One guy had brought handwarmers (little packets that you activate by squeezing). He was passing them out to anyone who wanted them (and most of us did!). They were wonderful! They had to be squeezed when they started to cool but heated right back up again. This morning, they are still warm! I would recommend buying some for winter outings. He got them at Walgreens but I am sure they sell them everywhere. Perfect for boy scouting or carolling, or just for fun in the winter. Dad was teasing me saying that they were the best part of my trip!
Anyway, the bus came and we drove around trying to see the lights and skyline but it was hard. We did stop the bus and get a picture with the skyline in the background. It was freezing and we made it quick. We will see if it turned out.
We drove then to Brookfield Zoo where we had free passes from a member of the ward who volunteers there. We noticed that there were very few cars in the parking lot. Not many people ventured out in the storm. We slipped and slided (lots of fun for Dad and his foot) and saw a few things - the lazor light show was cancelled because of high winds. Mostly we looked in the gift shop and tried to stay in buildings. However, the buildings closed at 8:30 and we weren't supposed to get on the bus until 9. And they had sent the bus to another lot far away so we couldn't even go wait on it! So, some of us went in the restrooms and waited until the bus came. It was warm in there and we could turn on the hand blowers to warm us up. It fact, that was a fun part of the evening! Lots of laughs and memories were made in the bathroom!
Finally, we all crawled on, wet and soggy and made our way back to the church. All the lights were out for quite a stretch on 75th to 53. When we finally arrived, we got to de-ice the cars! There was a sheet of ice covering everything and it was hard to remove!! Dad & I were so glad to get home!! It was so icy on the driveway, that Dad backed back down to the mailbox! It was to dangerous to try to walk down it.
Now today, the temperatures are to get into the upper 40's!! The storm went through the midwest quickly and it did have to be the day of our last Chicago trip with the Ward. Oh well, we did have some fun times and I am sure that lots of memories were made - good and bad.
So much for our adventures yesterday. Now come the events of today. Dad and the whole bishopric will be released. I will write about this later.