DeanInChicago

I’ve had great luck on Southwest Airlines since March 2020, but following Allentown, my Sunday, August 7 2:40PM flight from Philadelphia to Chicago was cancelled Sunday morning at 11AM due to “the weather”. I was rebooked to the next day on the first available flight: Monday, August 8 at 8:30PM. Others were rebooked to Tuesday. During my annual drive between Philly and Allentown on 476, I’ve always passed the Valley Forge exit, thinking one day, I need to visit. With the airline hiccup, I finally had plenty of time for a wonderful, unplanned trip to Valley Forge. I liked Washington’s headquarters, the monuments, the train depot, the chapel, and the grounds. As it was a weather delay, Southwest was unable to cover a night’s lodging or a Red Lobster dinner in King of Prussia, but they shared a $250 travel voucher good for a year - which I’ll easily use. I returned the rental car Monday at 12:30PM, with plenty of reading material ahead of the 8:30PM flight. At the Southwest counter, I asked if anything was available before 8:30PM, and I lucked into the last seat on the delayed 12:30PM flight, which eventually departed at 2:15PM. Valley Forge became a National Park on July 4, 1976 during President Gerald Ford’s tenure. I’m back in Chicago, enjoying a few souvenir Wawa pretzels.

Heading to Wawa for a post-show hoagie.

Friday food report - decent clam chowder at the Coopersburg Diner, slice of cheese pizza at Charlie K’s at the Farmer’s Market on Chew behind the stadium, slice of key lime pie at Ham Fam, and a hot dog combo (included chips and drink) at stadium. Several Friday night stadium guests enjoyed funnel cakes. Saturday food report - breakfast at the Flint Farm outside Allentown with Connecticut residents Ken and Colleen. Bacon, eggs to order, potatoes, hot coffee, very fresh milk from the cows on property - all from chef in farmhouse kitchen. Connecticut Ken played for the Cadets of Bergen County. He had a mello solo in 1989’s Les Miz. Also Saturday: Yucco’s hotdog, a Sante Fe salad at the Hometown Diner on route 222, then a return to the Allentown Farmer’s Market for lemonade and banana pudding. I LOVE Saturday afternoons at the market between 4 and 6 as it’s a weekly clearance sale on produce and baked goods. The Farmer’s Market is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Sunday food report - the forecast is farmhouse pancakes.

My annual trip to Indy from Chicago for Finals is on the bus. Though Megabus pulled out of the Chicago and Indy markets, there is still the dependable Greyhound, or two good upstarts: FlixBus or Barons. I like Barons - where you Ride like Royalty. Roundtrip runs about $70, much more than the $1 fares I often landed on the former Megabus.

Zero DCI, DCA, WGI, BOA. But I’ve played bingo in Casper at least 10 times.

Tears of joy! Thank you, Phantom.

Hope fans who bought tickets several months ago realize the show starts at 6:30 instead of 7:00. At one time, Genesis was scheduled for Whitewater, but they’re elsewhere tonight. Picking up a 24-hour car rental at 1PM at O’hare. Will hit the Best of South Beloit flea market. And feast at the world’s largest Culver’s. Will check into motel then park for free southwest of the stadium on a side street to avoid the $10 university lots.

Whitewater frizzy hair warning. 5PM 60% humidity 6PM 64% humidity 7PM 67% humidity 8PM 74% humidity 9PM 81% humidity 10PM 89% humidity Between 11PM and 3AM, humidity increases to 100 percent. Fingers crossed for a short encore.

Do you remember that time you applauded a rotating company front? Do you remember that time you cheered the unison flag work? Do you recall ever throwing babies at narration?

Just dropping in to say I LOVE Madison’s stationary (stationery?) set. Once in place, the five set pieces do not move during the show. Instead, we get to focus on the performers.

At the Madison Tailgate Party at Sun Prairie’s bowling alley, alumni, family, and fans are gathering. It’s always a great time. For $25, you get two sandwiches (brats or hamburgers), 2 drinks (beer or Gatorade), and a DCI 50th anniversary glass. The party happens outdoors, with easy access to the bowling alley restrooms. I talked with soprano player Steve, who marched in 1954 and 1955. He said You’ll Never Walk Alone was first performed by Madison in his first year. His first wife died after 48 years of marriage. He remarried a woman who lost her husband after 48 years. What a coincidence! The two have been happily married for 7 years. Meanwhile, the forecast calls for rain.

Will someone please let me know if Teresa is wearing her Cavalier earrings? She’s sitting next to Tony.

I am budget-conscious, so usually just spend one night in Indy, riding the Greyhound from Chicago. I’ll grab a Priceline hotel most years - staying at the Hyatt Regency this August. Have often stayed at the LaQuinta too near the Indy transit center - the hotel was rebranded about 2 years ago. It might be a Best Western nowadays. My annual splurge is Allentown, with airfare to Philly, rental car, and hotel or AirBnb for 2 nights.

Cha Cha and I had dinner at the Third St Mother Bears a few months ago before seeing a Kristen Chenoweth show at the IU Auditorium. Mother Bear’s serves outstanding pizza, and I walked to it often during my Willkie dorm days at Indiana. But rats for tonight! I am missing the Detroit gig as I have Reds at Cubs tickets tonight - cellar dwellers of the National League Central Division.

Entire lineup is pushed to 30 minutes later due to 100 degree weather.

I’d like to see one of the corps do a brief tribute to Wordle. ... a front row of 5 musicians all in green, with 3 or 4 or five rows behind them in a mix of solid-color uniforms of yellow, green, or black. The word would not be revealed EVER to maintain the mystery of the word.

I will forever spend my money on a few DCI, WGI, color guard and marching band events IN PERSON each season for the immersive experience instead of gambling with Flo. But I do understand Flo’s value. Some fans depend on Flo who may not have easy access to stadium or arena shows. May your Flo connections, camera angles, sound, and clarity be wonderful.

A few weeks ago, I found an old $50 AMC gift card in my desk that had “expired”. I notified AMC, and they graciously replaced the expired card with a new $50 gift card. I’ll watch the Premiere at AMC River East, Chicago. There’s always plenty of seats. I’ll buy the ticket that night.

I bit the bullet for airfare from Midway to Philly for the nearly annual trip to Allentown in August 2022. I headed to Allentown in August 2020 even though the season was kaput. I like visiting the area. Southwest is honoring expired 2020 and 2021 drink coupons until the end of 2022, so that’s a tiny perk, too. Car rental prices are still higher than I care for. I usually book cars thru Priceline as a Gold member. I’ll rent cars for trips to Madison and Whitewater in July. For Finals, I’ll grab a seat on Greyhound. Megabus no longer serves the Indy market.

There is no track at the Whitewater venue. You are closer to the music!

And the floodgates are opening.

Looks like my summer plans are set: Saturday, July 2 - Madison WI Sunday, July 3 - Lisle IL Saturday, July 9 - DeKalb IL Saturday, July 16 - Whitewater WI Friday, July 29 - Murfreesboro TN Friday, August 5 - Allentown PA Saturday, August 6 - Allentown PA Friday, August 12 - Indy Saturday, August 13 - Indy

Indygo has regular service from the airport to downtown. The #8 city bus departs near the rental car desks and whisks you to Naptown, mostly on Washington Street. Not as fancy as a shuttle, but a bargain for $1.75 each way. Day passes cost $4. If you’re not a public transit fan, I’d skip the bus. There’s usually a few inebriated passengers on the 8 bus, who add character and flair, but I want to see those attributes on the performance field, not the bus.

Best tater tots: Slippery Noodle Best thing about Indy’s Greyhound station: 2 minute walk to stadium Best stadium food: nachos Best you-got-guts moment: A trumpet player from Spirit of Atlanta took a bad fall during the Friday performance. He returned later to the age out recognition with a bandaged forehead. Best embrace: Madison Scouts drum major and the contra soloist following Madison’s encore of You’ll Never Walk Alone

Can’t you Feel a Brand New Day!