2006 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC06 - October 22, 2006 Part 6

[#1Mouse]

I can vouch for that! It was 72 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, and today we're getting 12" of snow and sleet. They closed the schools this morning before it even started snowing! They closed my office at noon, thank goodness.
Safe travels for all going to Chicago tomorrow!!
Cheryl, glad you are feeling better! Take care.

Yuck, what a way to start out the winter season - with 12" of snow and sleet. Make a cup of hot chocolate and stay inside It could be a looooong winter!

 

[MarkRG]

Sorry to hear it's being rough on you Marla. I've friends in Salt Lake, they had the mess yesterday.

5pm update:

Welp, the snow front has finally organized and Chicago will see some snow.

Here's the local loop. http://www.wunderground.com/radar/mixedcomposite.asp?region=b3&size=2x&type=loop

It's definitely forming up, but it still doesn't appear to have the strength up north it had earlier today or yesterday. The only part that concerns me right now is that pink spot in the middle of the white just northeast of St Louis. That is focused, very heavy snow, and depending on how it follows the front may be very rough.

 

[okwdreamin]

Yuck, what a way to start out the winter season - with 12" of snow and sleet. Make a cup of hot chocolate and stay inside It could be a looooong winter!

Instead of going to see DS's high school musical "Fiddler on the Roof" tonight (he is just part of the stage crew), it's perfect weather to put up the Christmas tree. Hot chocolate is a wonderful idea!! Yum!

It doesn't look (to me) that we are going to get the 12" they predicted, we have 6" so far and the snow has lightened up. Earlier today was just a blizzard, with heavy snow and strong winds. Yuck!

 

[tinkerbelle77]

Well the rain and snow mix has started on the south side...I am at Tims house now (near midway), and its coming down pretty good...When I left home it was pretty clear until I hit the end of 355 @ 55, and the mix started. We are in the house safe and sound, and staying til morning!

Tonight was Krystina's musical at school...she was supposed to be in the choir, and not have any individual parts, but another child didnt show up, and 10 min before the performance she stepped up to take the part of a hula snowwoman, with a few speaking lines...she did great!!! Didnt forget anything for just learning the part 10 mins before the show! I am so proud of her!!

And on another note, I have been in a haze this week, I have a sinus infection that has me feeling like I'm in an echo chamber at time...So I havent been all with it...I just today decided to look and see where the theater that the Blue Man Group is at...Guess what not Downtown at all...Its near the north side of the city and Lincoln park area...Tim and I talked and I had some Marriott Reward points, so we used them at the Marriott O'hare on River Rd for Friday and Saturday nights!! So we are going to drive over @ 2 or 3, and then have dinner and go to the show...I also found out there is another performance @ 10, so I'm assuming the show will be over by 830 or 9, and we will be back in the O'hare area by 9 or 930...If anyone is interested in hanging out, or going out for a few drinks, we would be up for that!!!

Safe travels to all traveling to Chicago, and for those not, be safe where ever you are!!

 

[ohiominnie]

Hey all!
We're at the world! Tried to post from Mike's blackberry before, but I don't think it went through. Mike had to post a Pediacast so I get to use the laptop this time! No time to catch up, but just wanted to say hello!

Weather has been nice here. Warming up nicely. A bit of rain (we have 4 more Mickey ponchos now!) but we're working around it.

Have tried some new things this trip. O'hana for dinner (loved it) Boma for dinner (would have gone away hungry if not for the desserts!) Doing lots of pin trading. Crowds are light.

Will try to check in again, but if not, I'll catch ya'll when I get home.

 

[RRBB]

Tonight was Krystina's musical at school...she was supposed to be in the choir, and not have any individual parts, but another child didnt show up, and 10 min before the performance she stepped up to take the part of a hula snowwoman, with a few speaking lines...she did great!!! Didnt forget anything for just learning the part 10 mins before the show! I am so proud of her!!

Way to go Krystina. I'm sure you were (still are) beaming Tina.

Everyone travelling to the Chicago meet, take it easy and be safe! Oh, and have a great time. Sure wish we could meet up with y'all.

 

[dvcChrisVWL]

So, it finally got warm enough that we had to close all the windows and turn on the air conditioner. 80 degrees in the house is a bit much.

How's the weather where everyone else is at?

 

[tinkerbelle77]

So, it finally got warm enough that we had to close all the windows and turn on the air conditioner. 80 degrees in the house is a bit much.

How's the weather where everyone else is at?

You will be joining us in the great weather we have very soon, and leaving that 80 degrees behind...far behind for some 30 degree days!!!

 

[cgcw]

So, it finally got warm enough that we had to close all the windows and turn on the air conditioner. 80 degrees in the house is a bit much.

How's the weather where everyone else is at?

Brat!!

I just talked to Chris and they are on the plane waiting to take off. The pilot was in communications with Chicago making sure everything was a go.

We have much less snow here than I thought. If we have 2", that's generous. Let's hope it stays away for now.

Safe travels

 

[Stitch#1]

Yea Krystina!!!
What a nice little surprise!!

Watching the news and the weather. Sfae travels to everyone and Keeping my fingers crossed that Amy and her family make it to Chicago ok.

Looks like that lovely weather is heading this way. Yea ha.

 

[cgcw]

School is cancelled for my kids today.



It sure doesn't look like it's bad enough out there. Cameron hasn't been to school but 2 hours this week so for him, he'll just stay in bed. Walker is going to be elated to play in it. Yesterday when he came home from school, he bundled up in his snowsuit and climbed up in the tree watching for snowflakes. I'm sure he'll going to be thrilled to play outside all day.

 

[cgcw]

Well the rain and snow mix has started on the south side...I am at Tims house now (near midway), and its coming down pretty good...When I left home it was pretty clear until I hit the end of 355 @ 55, and the mix started. We are in the house safe and sound, and staying til morning!

Tonight was Krystina's musical at school...she was supposed to be in the choir, and not have any individual parts, but another child didnt show up, and 10 min before the performance she stepped up to take the part of a hula snowwoman, with a few speaking lines...she did great!!! Didnt forget anything for just learning the part 10 mins before the show! I am so proud of her!!

And on another note, I have been in a haze this week, I have a sinus infection that has me feeling like I'm in an echo chamber at time...So I havent been all with it...I just today decided to look and see where the theater that the Blue Man Group is at...Guess what not Downtown at all...Its near the north side of the city and Lincoln park area...Tim and I talked and I had some Marriott Reward points, so we used them at the Marriott O'hare on River Rd for Friday and Saturday nights!! So we are going to drive over @ 2 or 3, and then have dinner and go to the show...I also found out there is another performance @ 10, so I'm assuming the show will be over by 830 or 9, and we will be back in the O'hare area by 9 or 930...If anyone is interested in hanging out, or going out for a few drinks, we would be up for that!!!

Safe travels to all traveling to Chicago, and for those not, be safe where ever you are!!

Way to go, Krystina.

What night are you going to see Blue Man Group? What night are you interested in getting together? Gail & I have theatre tickets tonight for the Rockettes at 8 p.m. and I'm betting we'll be up afterwards. I don't think anyone has thought ahead to tomorrow night.


I'll send you my cell phone number in case you want to give us a call.

 

[#1Mouse]

It stayed warm enough through the night so we only have had rain and I think I heard it thunder a couple of times last night.

Our driving should be fine from here to just past Jackson where it looks like they are having some freezing rain. The storm seems to be moving more north so maybe by this afternoon everything should be fine. Just before we leave I'll call my son (who lives in Kalamazoo) to see how that side of the state is doing.

What's the status on Chris and Amy? Looks like they will be in for a rude awakening coming from 80 degree temps

 

[#1Mouse]

Tina, That's great that Krystina was able to fill in at the last minute - Great Job Krystina!

I'm thinking we should be back to the hotel about 10:30/11:00 tonight - come by if you want. I was thinking we probably were just going to hang around the hotel Saturday evening. After being downtown during the day, we might need some time to thaw out.

I'll send you John's cell # also.

 

[WDWLVR]

It was mostly freezing rain last night but the snow is coming down now and we should get another 6 inches or more. Mark has been gone since 4 am as he plows two of his plants. Gail it looks like Michigan is getting more of the rain so I think you should be fine for most of your drive and by the time you hit the Chicago area most of it should be cleaned up. They are ready for it on the highway and tollway systems.

 

[WDWLVR]

Just checked Amy's flight status and they have departed. The Southwest site is even showing they should be getting in earlier than expected. I think the hardest part for them is driving up from the airport.

 

[Diana Lyn]

Brat!!

I just talked to Chris and they are on the plane waiting to take off. The pilot was in communications with Chicago making sure everything was a go.

We have much less snow here than I thought. If we have 2", that's generous. Let's hope it stays away for now.

Safe travels

That's awesome--hopefully they'll be on the ground soon then! I guess Midway has it's advantages in situations like this? I know nothing about flying into Chicago, but in watching the first 10 minutes of the Today show it seems like OHare is pretty much at a standstill.

Safe travels to all!

We're having our last 60+ degree day here. They are forecasting the winds to start about 1pm and Thunderstorms by 5pm---then comes the cold.

 

[MarkRG]

Hi everyone.

Yes as Mary said I've been out since 4am plowing. And I've now looked at the radar, it's doing even worse than expected. The low that is powering this thing pushed way further north than expected, and generating heavy lake effect snow. Have a look.

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/mixedcomposite.asp?region=a4&size=2x&type=loop

It is coming down in inches an hour right now here in Northbrook, a bit north of the city.

Everyone be VERY careful out there today, it is a mess on all roads, and with as fast as it's coming down, that's not likely to change for hours at this point.

 

[cgcw]

Just checked Amy's flight status and they have departed. The Southwest site is even showing they should be getting in earlier than expected. I think the hardest part for them is driving up from the airport.

I am getting more concerned now that I heard that O'Hare has no runways open. Amy & Chris are flying into the smaller airport. I hope that because they are south of O'Hare that things are not as bad as at O'Hare. I hope they make it to Chicago, but I wouldn't be surprised is they were deverted someplace else either.

And, here I said it didn't look that bad out there.

 

[MarkRG]

That's awesome--hopefully they'll be on the ground soon then! I guess Midway has it's advantages in situations like this? I know nothing about flying into Chicago, but in watching the first 10 minutes of the Today show it seems like OHare is pretty much at a standstill.

Safe travels to all!

We're having our last 60+ degree day here. They are forecasting the winds to start about 1pm and Thunderstorms by 5pm---then comes the cold.

I think both airports are in lockdown by now. They probably only have a runway or two open for landings only at this point. Actually O'hare is the airport with the advantage, they have nice, long runways with a lot of open area around them. Midway is an airport in the middle of a neighborhood, and literally has just enough runway for a 727. Last winter we had a night with conditions similar to this and one slid right out of the airport into the street, crushing a car, and yes, the worst for the passengers of that car happened.

Now, before panicking. Since then they've installed devices at the ends of the runways to stop a plane safely before it could get out, and they've improved the safety margins for landings in poor conditions there. If it becomes that unsafe they will divert. Here's hoping it all goes smooth for Amy & co.