words like "yes" or "no"

left early-ish for the final 3 hours of the trip, in which US Steel and other affiliates figured prominently. i can't tell you how exhilarating it was to come in for the second time on US12, to have a sense of familiarity (this will never become blase, though, as mentioned, i believe i have traversed its entire length). construction around South Holland made things difficult. actually, properly speaking, the usual phenomenon came sharply into relief. that is: traveling by highway is ridiculously easy (which is why it was rather calming to be "drifting" (by which i mean, holding on for dear life) down US12 again)). there is, apparently, a reason why this entire country is overpopulated by drivers. in any case, the signage is clear and the exits are (mostly) marked, such that even a blinking (take the "l" and "n" out of that adjective—and what do you get?) idiot can navigate with relative certitude. *not so* the case when one (for shame, for shame—why would you do this? certainly not to walk, or take the train...) departs from the high road. this was especially operative in conjunction with my complete lack of directional knowledge in South Holland, which, itself, has no excuse. was probably within a few miles of my destination, and yet such brilliant moves as going the complete wrong way on 159th/route 6 added up to a full hour of travel within the city limits.

was regarded with the proper suspicion by the cheerful faces of those who greeted me upon arrival at 1110. that gerry was not among them somehow failed to register until after a few liters of water had properly settled. apparently, he had been navigating this same suburban town, using buses and his feet, all the while i'd been doing the same on wheels. if we could just manage to stay in the same place, i think we would make quite the pair.

much the cousin time for the rest of the day. still filthy from the most recent trip, it hardly seemed that in saying good-bye in the evening, i'd be doing so in preparation for another that would mean my not visiting for at least a year.

making full use of a small Metra clause that allows for bikes after 7pm, gerry and i made our way back up to Jefferson Park in time to see almost everyone, aka my best biking fan club (they who have lots of unfortunate practise regarding me showing up without notice thereusing). again, the leave-takings had not the quality of permanence that they perhaps ought to have carried.