Roz on the Road

On The Road To The Avon Walk For Breast Cancer

No, it's not October - it isn't even May.  We're not surrounded by everything "pink" - it's February and we're surrounded by snow!  Yet for some reason I have recently been asked by numerous organizations to speak as a breast cancer survivor at their events.  I am always flattered by these requests.  What many of you may not know - the speaking engagements turn out to be as inspirational for me as for the thousands of women (and men) in the audience! I love the energy, the interaction, the respect for our mutual journeys.

That being said, I have taken on a new challenge.  I've signed up for the Avon 2-day Walk For Breast Cancer in Chicago, June 1st and 2nd.  It's more than just a personal challenge; it's a way for me to connect with thousands of survivors, friends and family of survivors, and those passionate about helping to find a cure.

I thought long and hard about making this committment, as it is not an easy task!  I will be training for the next 3 months, walking several miles 4 to 5 days a week.  My biggest concern was not the physical aspect, but the time factor.  Then again, my philosophy has always been, I'm at my best when I'm busiest!  In order to keep myself motivated, I enlisted a partner - my 17 year old daughter!

Sara will be training with me as we motivate each other!  She'll help me document, I'll help her fundraise. Together we're unstoppable! 

I invite you to follow our journey as I will be blogging up until and throughout the walk.  You'll be able to find me on line, on Facebook and on Twitter.  I welcome your comments and any helpful hints from those of you who have tackled this before.  But most of all, I appreciate the support you've shown me, since my diagnosis in June 2006.

To learn more, visit my Personal Page http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/Chicago?px=3458378&pg=personal&fr_id=2210

Wish me luck - I'm in it to end it!

Our Last Day in D.C.

Doesn't it seem like the minute you get to know your way around a new city, it's time to go home?!  Now that we'd figured out the transit system in D.C., Sara and I decided to spend our final day doing a little more sightseeing.

 

I let Sara choose.  Her pick was the Holocaust Museum - quite an appropriate choice during this historic week. I've always felt the Jewish and African American cultures shared a lot in their quest to overcome persecution and prejudice, and their efforts to gain equality.

 

It was a very difficult exhibit to see, yet something I felt made me stronger for having viewed it.  As the hour approached for us to head back to Chicago, I spent time reflecting on my experience over the past several days.  How fortunate am I to be able to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip likee this, with my daughter none the less.  Even though it was just the 2 of us, I felt like those closest to me were right by my side.  I get my sense of adventure from my father, my sense of practicality from my mom.  I get my sense of compassion from my sister, my sense of grounding from my husband.  I get my sense of awe from my daughter.  I have been able to meet new friends from all walks of life.  Mary Jo is also a breast cancer survivor, living every day to the fullest.

 

Our last evening on the train ride home consisted of lively conversation, initiated by Sara interviewing our Aldermen travel companions as she worked on a Girl Scout law badge!  The topics quickly turned to our new President and our hope and confidence that in time, President Obama will be able to turn the economy around, fix our broken health care system, improve our education system and reduce global warming.  Yes, we have lofty goals for our President, but that's why nearly 2-million people came to our country's capitol.  We are proud to be American citizens - we believe.

A Cinderella Ending to Perfect Day!

After our 10-hour adventure on Inauguration Day, most of it spent  either walking or standing out in the cold, I wasn't sure I'd have the energy to attend a ball if we were lucky enough to get tickets!  Most of them didn't get started until 10:00 pm!  As it turns out, my Girl Scout friend, Susan R., is also the promoter for the group The Buckinghams...and whata coincidence - they are performing at the Illinois Agricultural  Ball at the Grand Hyatt! 

 

 Susan has put our names on the list with "the band!"  Whatever works, right?!  They're on at 10:15 (another late night for me), so Sara and I transform ourselves and try to catch a cab to the Hyatt.  So not a good idea...very few cabs to be had, and traffic was just gridlocked (shades of work going through my head!).  Susan is madly texting me, thinking we won't make it.  The cab finally pulls up at 10:45 pm - we're in! 

We take a seat and watch the rest of the set - these guys are pretty amazing!  They play all their hits and a string of pop music from the '60s and '70s.  After the show, Susan takes us back stage to meet the band. 

 The conversation just flows, and before we know it, it's almost 1:00 am and we have to get back before we turn into a pumpkin!  Now our mission is finding a cab back - after waiting to no avail (what was I thinking?!), we decide to take the Metro.  Much easier.  Who would have thought that at 2:00 am the trains would be SRO with half the folks in formal attire?!  By the time we get back on our train/hotel at Union Station, it's almost 3:00  am - on a normal day I would be on my way to work at that time - but this was hardly a "normal day!"

Inauguration Day - History is Made!

As I write today, I have Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life - a classic!) in the background.  I am inspired, I am motivated and I am very upbeat!  Music (as well as our new President!) has a way of doing that to me.  I never go on a trip without my IPOD, speakers and extension cords - I know, call me crazy!

Now that I've had a chance to come down from the clouds after today's events, let me share with you this amazing day.  We were up early - 5:00 am .  After a quick breakfast, Sara and I joined the masses, walking to the Mall.

 

We were on a mission.  Nothing mattered - the chill in the air, the biting wind, the hours it took to get to the mall - we wanted to experience history being made and witness Obama be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.  I was amazed by the calm - the politeness of the crowd and the helpful attitude of the police and the traffic assistants known as "red caps" who made sure those of us without tickets knew which route to take.

 

It took us about 2 hours to get to our final destination!  We ended up near the Washington Monument off 14th Street!  Still, we had jumbo-trons set up on either side of our viewing spot and we made more friends as we took in the atmosphere of this magical day.

 

 

 

When the highly anticipated moment came for Obama to take the oath and give his speech, the crowd swelled with emotion.  You could see it in their eyes, their expressions, they knew this man was someone special. 

 

 

 Watching, listening, stepping out of my reporter role, my eyes became misty.  Of course my daughter snapped me right out of that by quickly grabbing me and saying in a horrified voice, "Mom, DON'T CRY!"  You gotta love it!

Tonight we're going to try and attend a couple of balls.  I'll let you know tomorrow how our Cinderella evening turns out!

Sight-seeing in D.C....with a million BFF!

What a perfect day!  Sara and I explored the area all around the Capitol today, getting the lay of the land so we could find our bearings during  tomorrow's big event.  The city is going through a transformation as it prepares to host millions for the swearing in and celebration of our 44th President.  The crowds are definitely growing - that was apparent from the moment I walked through Union Station.

 

As people filled nearly every inch of sidewalk, barricades filled nearly every inch of streets surrounding the mall.

 

Still, nobody could deny the electricity in the air as the inauguration approaches! As we passed by historic buildings, one after another, I couldn't stop taking pictures - and those of you who know me, know that I can snap dozens of pictures of something mundane, so you can imagine how many images I'll have of this trip!!

 

 

As we made our way down Independence Avenue we spotted a building that looked like a conservatory - it was the United States Botanic Garden...a great photo-op as well as a chance to warm up!

 

Once we were warm and toasty we continued on our sight seeing mission.  I wanted to see the new "Newseum."  It wasn't that far away - my navigator Sara comes through again, helping me regain my sense of direction when I get turned around! This place is so amazing, even Sara wanted to spend the rest of our afternoon their!  It has working studios, broadcast news history, interactive exhibits and a rockin' gift shop!  I couldn't resist buying a t-shirt that says "News Junkie."

 

Once we got back to Union Station, the crowds were unbelievable!

 

We were supposed to meet up with friends and go out to dinner, but there was no way we would have been able to get anywhere quickly and we were tired and hungry!  Thank goodness the crew on the Inaugural Train/hotel had wonderful "snacks" on board!  It really was enough for dinner -plus it was wonderful sharing tales with our travel companions... here's Debra and her famous t-shirt.  She has extended family from all over the country here!

 

Here's the gang from Dekalb!    Joe and Jean Vaughn (on the left) had taken the Cerry Blossom trip with American Rail Excursions - when they heard about an Inaugural train trip they said "Sign us up!"

 And finally, what a way to end the evening - here's Tanya and Steve Davis on their way to the Illinois Inaugural Ball.  I'm living vicariously through them!!

 

We're in D.C.!

We made it to destination D.C.!  The Inauguration Express pulled into Washington's Union Station at about 5:00 pm Sunday afternoon - about 3 1/2 hours later than scheduled. We were ready to explore!  The station was bustling with people from all walks of life - young, old, in jeans, in ball gowns and tuxes and everything in between!

 

 

Nearly half the station was being closed for private parties.  There are balls, parties and events just about everywhere for the next several days.  As Sara and I made our way outside the station, the first thing you see is the Capitol Building, glowing in the clear night sky, a symbol of what we stand for, making us proud to be one of the millions of citizens who will witness history.

 

The Capitol is only a few short blocks from where our train/hotel is parked at Union Station.  We ventured to the Reflecting Poll, a most beautiful site at night, living well beyond its name.  We spent a good 2 hours walking around, trying to figure out just where the access points to the mall will be - police and security folks are already blocking off many of the streets.  That will be our mission today!

The weather is amazing!  30's and clear.  I've got comfy walking shoes, bottled water and a map.  Truth be told, Sara really is my navigation savior!!  Last night, as I'm trying to make my way in the dark, looking for landmarks I'm not familiar with, here is my 13 year old, taking charge, saying "Look Mom, just take Louisiana Street to that building with the flag - that's the entrance to the train station!"  I may know my way around Chicago in my sleep, but get me outside of Illinois and I get totally turned around!

As the sun is beginning to rise, I can tell it will be a good day for taking pictures - a little overcast, but that just means more even lighting (or so my photographer friends tell me!). I'm sure I'll have plenty to share as the adventure continues!

We're approaching Cleveland!

We're finally on our way!  Saturday night was interesting, to say the least. Our group was very excited to be embarking on this unique train trip, as we gathered at Union Station waiting to board the Inauguration Express.  We have a very diverse group of folks - some from as far away as San Diego!  Many are from the Chicago area and two of our traveling companions you might recognize from City Council...Alderman Dick Mell and Alderman Gene Schulter!

We certainly had enough time to mingle, as our train was almost 2 1/2 hours late departing.  We pulled out of Union Station at 9:20 - weather related delays, and boy am I familiar with that, considering the week we just had in Chicago!!

The crew was most gracious, as well as apologetic, but nobody seemed to mind.  We were just enjoying each other's company and sharing our stories as to how we all ended up on this train.  Sara and I had dinner with Alvin and Debra Harvey, the couple I interviewed for my story last week.  Talk about 6 degrees of separation!  It turns out one of their grandsons is classmates with Sara - and they are both in the school musical!!

Bedtime was a bit late for me, considering my usual turn down time is 8:00 pm.  We got in our bunk beds closer to 11:00 pm!  And yes the berths in   the sleeper cars are tight - manageable and cozy, but tight!  I guess that's because my idea of traveling "light" is not what they had in mind in the 1940s and '50s when these cars were designed!  Like I said - it's an adventure!

We're in the Cleveland area right now traveling around 60 mph.  We're currently some 3 hours behind schedule; partially due to late departure and partially due to weather related slow zones.  No matter though - we're staying in the Royal Street car which is part sleeper and part lounge, so it will give us time to meet more of our traveling companions, relax and enjoy the snowy scenery.  I'm told we should hit Pennsylvania in the 9:00 hour as we continue eastward.

I'm going to have breakfast now - I'm posting a few pictures from last night; I'll check back after we arrive iin D.C! :)

 

 

Getting ready for the Inauguration Express!

Welcome to my Travel Blog!  Who knew that my first entry would the historic trip to Washington D.C. to witness the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama?!  As I write, I have a million things swirling in my head, making sure I am as prepared as I can be for this one-of-a-kind adventure.

I call this an adventure because for one, I have never traveled in a sleeper car on a train!  That in itself is pretty darn cool!  But the inauguration itself will be the epitome of an adventure.  I can plan the method of transportation, I can plan what to wear, I can even plan my blog to some extent.  What I can't know in advance is just how many people will actually be on the mall and how authorities in D.C will handle this crowd.  I don't know who I'll run into, or who I'll meet.  I don't know what events, if any, I'll be able to attend.  All of this unknown is a bit scary, but also quite exciting.  I'm sure there will be hundreds of thousands of people, right there with me, experiencing the same emotions.

That's the beauty of this blog - I can post pictures and share these experiences with you from the perspective of "Roz the citizen!"  I have no special credentials, no press pass, nada!  Just me!  Of course, I do have identification and a special "badge" to identify me as a passenger on the Inauguration Train, but other than that, I'm on my own.

I am traveling with my 13-year-old daughter; it will be interesting to see this piece of history through her eyes.

We pull out of Union Station Saturday evening around 7:00 pm.  We arrive in D.C. Sunday afternoon.  I'm sure I'll have plenty to share with you before then!