This project highlights the happenings after our return from Pennsylvania through the 12th Night/Epiphany party at the Community of the Holy Trinity about a week after our return from southern Christmas. This covers December in Chicago and the rest of the holiday season. I separated out all the hunting related footage into its own project and blog.
December in Chicago
12.03.2025 - 12.04.2025
As I left for work on Wednesday December 3rd, 2025, There was plenty of snow on the ground from the storm we missed while in Pennsylvania. The Chicago dips had been activated as evidenced by the parking chairs. I also captured some footage of the Chicago skyline as I made my way to work. As I left in the morning of Thursday December 4th, 2026, I had to utilize some blankets to clear condensation from the interior of my windshield. Elphie captured a few shots of Stein wearing his new bow tie. On my way home I passed a tow truck towing a Cook County Sheriff bus.
12.05.2025
On Friday December 5th, 2025, I stuck around for a bit after work in the Uptown area during the Winter Walk on Wilson to catch Glenn Kaiser and Hilde Bialach play at Everybody's Coffee. Hilde played some Christmas instrumentals on cello while Glenn Kaiser played a bunch of blues tunes and finished it off with a few Christmas tunes. Afterward Glenn said he was using the time to sort of work through a set list he was intending to utilize in some upcoming shows including on New Year's Eve in Cincinnati.
https://youtu.be/Hj6h389tB4M
https://youtu.be/MGK-YD1l734
12.06.2025 - 12.19.2025
12.03.2025 - 12.04.2025
As I left for work on Wednesday December 3rd, 2025, There was plenty of snow on the ground from the storm we missed while in Pennsylvania. The Chicago dips had been activated as evidenced by the parking chairs. I also captured some footage of the Chicago skyline as I made my way to work. As I left in the morning of Thursday December 4th, 2026, I had to utilize some blankets to clear condensation from the interior of my windshield. Elphie captured a few shots of Stein wearing his new bow tie. On my way home I passed a tow truck towing a Cook County Sheriff bus.
12.05.2025
On Friday December 5th, 2025, I stuck around for a bit after work in the Uptown area during the Winter Walk on Wilson to catch Glenn Kaiser and Hilde Bialach play at Everybody's Coffee. Hilde played some Christmas instrumentals on cello while Glenn Kaiser played a bunch of blues tunes and finished it off with a few Christmas tunes. Afterward Glenn said he was using the time to sort of work through a set list he was intending to utilize in some upcoming shows including on New Year's Eve in Cincinnati.
https://youtu.be/Hj6h389tB4M
https://youtu.be/MGK-YD1l734
12.06.2025 - 12.19.2025
As we went to get groceries on Saturday December 6th, 2025, we were driving down Western Avenue in the left lane when a car passed us in the oncoming northbound lanes and turning lanes. The car had to return to the rightful southbound lanes as there was a tow truck sitting in the median/turning lanes but eventually went back into the turning and oncoming traffic lanes to pass a few more people.
https://youtu.be/PK9Z8cl0hN8
As I left the house on Monday December 8th, 2025 to go to work, ice had formed on tree branches and the top of our steps making it a bit treacherous. I put down some salt upon my return from work later that evening. On Wednesday December 17th, 2025, we held our Christmas party for the men's program at Cornerstone Community Outreach. As I drove home, I decided to capture the city lights as I drove on Lake Shore Drive, including the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights from that view. On Thursday December 18th, 2025, I utilized the new BP Pulse "Gigahub" near O'Hare International Airport to charge as they were offering one cent per kilowatt hour as the rate meaning I could charge for like 15 cents total. I watched a number of airplanes pass overhead and tried to watch the Penguins hockey game. As I drove there and back home, I captured some Christmas lights in Rosemont and on the Novak Construction building. On Friday December 19th, 2025 I took lunch break at the Christkindlmarket at Wrigley Field where I had pierogis from the Prince of Pierogi booth and picked up some Christmas soda and Chocokuss from the Sweets Barn. On my drive home, I went down Clark and through the city on Michigan Avenue and State to capture the city Christmas light displays. Back home, I worked on getting all the band uniforms loaded into the car along with our necessary luggage and gifts. It was a struggle but I got it all in!
https://youtu.be/PK9Z8cl0hN8
As I left the house on Monday December 8th, 2025 to go to work, ice had formed on tree branches and the top of our steps making it a bit treacherous. I put down some salt upon my return from work later that evening. On Wednesday December 17th, 2025, we held our Christmas party for the men's program at Cornerstone Community Outreach. As I drove home, I decided to capture the city lights as I drove on Lake Shore Drive, including the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights from that view. On Thursday December 18th, 2025, I utilized the new BP Pulse "Gigahub" near O'Hare International Airport to charge as they were offering one cent per kilowatt hour as the rate meaning I could charge for like 15 cents total. I watched a number of airplanes pass overhead and tried to watch the Penguins hockey game. As I drove there and back home, I captured some Christmas lights in Rosemont and on the Novak Construction building. On Friday December 19th, 2025 I took lunch break at the Christkindlmarket at Wrigley Field where I had pierogis from the Prince of Pierogi booth and picked up some Christmas soda and Chocokuss from the Sweets Barn. On my drive home, I went down Clark and through the city on Michigan Avenue and State to capture the city Christmas light displays. Back home, I worked on getting all the band uniforms loaded into the car along with our necessary luggage and gifts. It was a struggle but I got it all in!
12.20.2025 - 12.23.2025
On Saturday December 20th, 2025, we left to head south for Christmas. We stopped in Hobart, Indiana to pick up some gummies at the Albanese Confectionary. We had a quick charge there then continued south. We stopped at a Pilot/Flying J to utilize the EVGo network as we still had some credits to use. We decided this was a better stop than the Layfayette, Indiana Electrify America at a Wal*Mart as it is often busy. I was looking ahead on the app and it seemed likely all those chargers would be in use so we opted for the EVGo and I think it worked out alright. We stopped one more time in Indianapolis, Indiana then headed to Cincinnati where we were able to meet up with the Humans again. This time we chose the Norwood area where we could connect to a charger. We ate at Tom + Chee and caught up for a bit. We ended up charging to 100% inadvertently. Same thing happened last year, ha! I was able to pick up some coffee as well to replenish our supply. We ended the night staying at the Sheehy's.
We spent the day on Sunday December 21st, 2025 in the Cincinnati area. We hoped to see a few friends. Lisa was unable to make it happen but we saw Josiah. We stopped by The 86 and the Humans had instructed the staff to treat us to the drinks we got. After hanging out there for a bit, we continued over to Martino's On Vine to watch the Steelers game and eat large strombolis. Josiah met up with us for this part. It was a good time and the Steelers beat the Lions. We ended the evening hanging out with the Sheehy's again.
On Monday December 22nd, 2025, we resumed our drive south for Christmas, passing the good old Florence Ya'll. Our first stop in mid Kentucky was at a Buc-Ee's to charge. We also got brisket and I got a large Orange Dream soda. We had another stop at the end of Kentucky at a Wal*Mart and I was able to get a bottle of Ale-8-One to drink for the road. We had to delay picking up the cases because of our overly full car. While there, we saw a car decorated with Christmas lights being held on by blue tape. We continued about 10 minutes, stopping at the Tennessee Welcome Center because it is always decorated and Elphie likes it. As we made our way up the mountain, we passed Stinking Creek Road, the remains of an apparently abandoned amusement park and the large cross by the adult store on our way toward Knoxville. We stopped to charge again at Buc-Ee's in Knoxville then continued on our way. We drove through on I-40 which had been washed out in part during the hurricane remnants in 2024. While the highway is reopened, the southbound side is still considerably damaged and in some places, completely gone. But there is work being done and one can pass through, just somewhat slower. I included some footage of this as we drove. We arrived in Asheville, North Carolina and met up with our friends, the Floyd's at a restaurant called Daddy Mac's Down Home Dive which was a nice visit and good food. Elphie and I decided to get a hotel for the night, picking one with a charger so we were not dependent on charging while meeting with the Floyd's.
We spent the day on Sunday December 21st, 2025 in the Cincinnati area. We hoped to see a few friends. Lisa was unable to make it happen but we saw Josiah. We stopped by The 86 and the Humans had instructed the staff to treat us to the drinks we got. After hanging out there for a bit, we continued over to Martino's On Vine to watch the Steelers game and eat large strombolis. Josiah met up with us for this part. It was a good time and the Steelers beat the Lions. We ended the evening hanging out with the Sheehy's again.
On Monday December 22nd, 2025, we resumed our drive south for Christmas, passing the good old Florence Ya'll. Our first stop in mid Kentucky was at a Buc-Ee's to charge. We also got brisket and I got a large Orange Dream soda. We had another stop at the end of Kentucky at a Wal*Mart and I was able to get a bottle of Ale-8-One to drink for the road. We had to delay picking up the cases because of our overly full car. While there, we saw a car decorated with Christmas lights being held on by blue tape. We continued about 10 minutes, stopping at the Tennessee Welcome Center because it is always decorated and Elphie likes it. As we made our way up the mountain, we passed Stinking Creek Road, the remains of an apparently abandoned amusement park and the large cross by the adult store on our way toward Knoxville. We stopped to charge again at Buc-Ee's in Knoxville then continued on our way. We drove through on I-40 which had been washed out in part during the hurricane remnants in 2024. While the highway is reopened, the southbound side is still considerably damaged and in some places, completely gone. But there is work being done and one can pass through, just somewhat slower. I included some footage of this as we drove. We arrived in Asheville, North Carolina and met up with our friends, the Floyd's at a restaurant called Daddy Mac's Down Home Dive which was a nice visit and good food. Elphie and I decided to get a hotel for the night, picking one with a charger so we were not dependent on charging while meeting with the Floyd's.
Southern Family Christmas: 12.24.2025 - 12.30.2025
On Tuesday December 23rd, 2025, we made our way to Gastonia, North Carolina. Immediately upon arriving in town, we went to R.O.'s BBQ as we learned during the drive it would be closing at the end of the week. One of Elphie's friends met us there with his kid and we enjoyed the meal. There was a long line out the door and remained busy the entire time we were there. We arrived at Elphie's sister's house where we stayed and hung out for the evening. We left shortly before 8pm to finish the delivery of the band uniforms in Bessemer City, North Carolina. It was nice to unload and free up the car! It didn't seem the weight made a huge difference in the performance or efficiency of the car. It was nice to be rid of the uniforms nonetheless.
On Wednesday December 24th, 2025, we returned to R.O.'s for more BBQ. Elphie had hoped to get a shirt but the guy in front of me in line got the last one. We had several more friends visit with us there including the Burk's and Elphie's mom. We spent a little time with her as well at her place for Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, Thursday December 25th, 2025, we did the usual visiting with family as they opened gifts. Elphie's nephew made a surprise homecoming early! We also visited with the Burk's at their house for a while. We obliged on adding some graffiti to Dwayne's old Jeep. It was a good visit.
On Friday December 26th, 2025, we went to Dynasty Buffet for a Chinese buffet with Elphie's cousin. We also got some Krispy Kreme afterwards. The first part of the Southern Family Christmas gathering was on Saturday December 27th, 2025. On Sunday December 28th, 2025, after a terrible football game for the Steelers and Carolina Panthers both, we visited with Elphie's brother and got a great meal at Big Daddy's. On Monday December 29th, 2025, Elphie's brother in law had a birthday so we went to Texas Roadhouse. On Tuesday December 30th, 2025, we took some nieces and nephews to Monster Mini Golf. We also played some basketball arcade game and air hockey. After a quick stop at Krispy Kreme again, we had the second part of the Southern Family Christmas.
On Wednesday December 24th, 2025, we returned to R.O.'s for more BBQ. Elphie had hoped to get a shirt but the guy in front of me in line got the last one. We had several more friends visit with us there including the Burk's and Elphie's mom. We spent a little time with her as well at her place for Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, Thursday December 25th, 2025, we did the usual visiting with family as they opened gifts. Elphie's nephew made a surprise homecoming early! We also visited with the Burk's at their house for a while. We obliged on adding some graffiti to Dwayne's old Jeep. It was a good visit.
On Friday December 26th, 2025, we went to Dynasty Buffet for a Chinese buffet with Elphie's cousin. We also got some Krispy Kreme afterwards. The first part of the Southern Family Christmas gathering was on Saturday December 27th, 2025. On Sunday December 28th, 2025, after a terrible football game for the Steelers and Carolina Panthers both, we visited with Elphie's brother and got a great meal at Big Daddy's. On Monday December 29th, 2025, Elphie's brother in law had a birthday so we went to Texas Roadhouse. On Tuesday December 30th, 2025, we took some nieces and nephews to Monster Mini Golf. We also played some basketball arcade game and air hockey. After a quick stop at Krispy Kreme again, we had the second part of the Southern Family Christmas.
New Year's: 12.31.2025 - 01.01.2026
We ended up staying in North Carolina for New Year's this year. On New Year's Eve, Wednesday December 31st, 2025, we visited with a few of Elphie's friends before settling in for the televised ball drops. We had some pizza, drinks, and I was also able to watch some hockey broadcasts during the evening. New Year's Day, Thursday January 1st, 2026 was spent eating the southern traditional foods and I watched the Penguins game later that evening. We mostly relaxed as we were about to embark on the long drive back. This year we decided to take a different route putting us through Nashville.
01.02.2026 - 01.04.2026
We left in the morning Friday January 2nd, 2026 enroute to Nashville. We had to make our first stop in Asheville for a charge. We didn't need much and the car probably hadn't warmed to its fullest potential so it seemed to take longer than it should to charge for what we needed. We captured footage of the scenery as we went then stopped for another charge on the eastern side of Knoxville. Almost all of the charges happened to be at Wal*Marts. We passed at least one large cross on this route through Tennessee...possibly in Crossville. As we arrived in the Nashville area, we stopped to charge in Opryland at the mall. We got dinner while we charged then walked around the mall until it was nearly closed. We drove around to see the Grand Ole Opry and also saw the Paula Deen restaurant and an entrance to a showboat. We ended our drive at an AirBnB managed by our friend Natalie which is the Patsy Cline Dream Home. It was an interesting place to stay and we captured some footage of the house after we got in and somewhat situated.
On Saturday January 3rd, 2026, we spent most of the day relaxing. Marnee and Bryan came by and got to check out the house. We went out to dinner at Twin Peaks where we got to watch some of the football games. We relaxed the rest of the evening as well, catching a streaming movie then getting to bed a bit early with the long drive coming on Sunday.
Sunday January 4th, 2026 we made our way back to Chicago. I decided to route us in such a way that most of the northern part of the drive would be through Illinois. Our first few charging stops were once again at Wal*Marts. I took advantage of our stop in Paducah, Kentucky to pick up some Ale 8-One to bring back. Part of my plan for this route was making a quick pit stop in Metropolis, Illinois and seeing the Superman statue. There is also a Super Museum in Metropolis. We checked out the gift shop but didn't actually go into the museum. As we continued north, we passed through some apparent tornado damage and then the town of Effingham with its large cross. We stopped in Champaign for a charge and used that time to get some groceries for the week. We had one other stop in Bradley, Illinois. From Champaign on, I had on the Steelers football game streaming through my phone so we could know what was going on. The game ultimately determined who went on to the playoffs - The Steelers or The Ravens. As we neared home, we encountered a driver on Pershing Road who veered to the right and ended up hitting the curb pretty hard it seemed. They tried to turn north on the southbound McKinley Park leg of Damen Avenue then continued on down the road before turning north on Western Boulevard. Back home we were greeted as usual by Stein and his need to be on us or touching us which also often results in him waking us up the first few nights. We also got to see the Steelers win!
We left in the morning Friday January 2nd, 2026 enroute to Nashville. We had to make our first stop in Asheville for a charge. We didn't need much and the car probably hadn't warmed to its fullest potential so it seemed to take longer than it should to charge for what we needed. We captured footage of the scenery as we went then stopped for another charge on the eastern side of Knoxville. Almost all of the charges happened to be at Wal*Marts. We passed at least one large cross on this route through Tennessee...possibly in Crossville. As we arrived in the Nashville area, we stopped to charge in Opryland at the mall. We got dinner while we charged then walked around the mall until it was nearly closed. We drove around to see the Grand Ole Opry and also saw the Paula Deen restaurant and an entrance to a showboat. We ended our drive at an AirBnB managed by our friend Natalie which is the Patsy Cline Dream Home. It was an interesting place to stay and we captured some footage of the house after we got in and somewhat situated.
On Saturday January 3rd, 2026, we spent most of the day relaxing. Marnee and Bryan came by and got to check out the house. We went out to dinner at Twin Peaks where we got to watch some of the football games. We relaxed the rest of the evening as well, catching a streaming movie then getting to bed a bit early with the long drive coming on Sunday.
Sunday January 4th, 2026 we made our way back to Chicago. I decided to route us in such a way that most of the northern part of the drive would be through Illinois. Our first few charging stops were once again at Wal*Marts. I took advantage of our stop in Paducah, Kentucky to pick up some Ale 8-One to bring back. Part of my plan for this route was making a quick pit stop in Metropolis, Illinois and seeing the Superman statue. There is also a Super Museum in Metropolis. We checked out the gift shop but didn't actually go into the museum. As we continued north, we passed through some apparent tornado damage and then the town of Effingham with its large cross. We stopped in Champaign for a charge and used that time to get some groceries for the week. We had one other stop in Bradley, Illinois. From Champaign on, I had on the Steelers football game streaming through my phone so we could know what was going on. The game ultimately determined who went on to the playoffs - The Steelers or The Ravens. As we neared home, we encountered a driver on Pershing Road who veered to the right and ended up hitting the curb pretty hard it seemed. They tried to turn north on the southbound McKinley Park leg of Damen Avenue then continued on down the road before turning north on Western Boulevard. Back home we were greeted as usual by Stein and his need to be on us or touching us which also often results in him waking us up the first few nights. We also got to see the Steelers win!
01.05.2026 - 01.10.2026
The remaining footage I included in this project was the first week back in Chicago after our southern Christmas trip. On Monday January 5th, 2026, we were able to watch the Swedish national junior team win the IIHF World Junior National Championship. We watched the broadcast in Swedish as well which was fun though we understood nearly none of what was being said. On Friday January 9th, 2026 as I parked to go into work I noticed two cars very poorly parked nearby. Saturday January 10th, 2026 was the 12th Night/Epiphany party at the Community of the Holy Trinity house. We provided a venison stew. I watched the Bears game to some extent with Zach and we had a good time hanging out with folks to conclude the Christmas and Holiday season.
Additional soundtrack includes "Sing A Christmas Chorus With Me" by Ronnie Martin, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel (2025 version)" by Leper, "The Child With The Star On His Head" by Teel Short, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by The Uh Ohs, The Oh Hellos Family Christmas, "Mary Did You Know" by Ninth Sphere, "I Saw Three Ships/Joy To The World Medley" by Michael W. Smith, "Slow Christmas" by Kentucky Nightmare, "Christmas Is Now Drawing Near At Hand" by James Elkington, "Merry Christmas To Me" Emery, "On Christmas Day" by Erik Koskinen, "Ring, Ring Ring" by Rex Hobart And The Misery Boys, "Auld Lang Syne" by The Lonesome Travelers, "Plasma For Christmas" The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, "Silent Night" by Wynona, "Crazy" by Patsy Cline, "We Three Kings" by Toby Keith, and "Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn" by Found Wandering.
Footage filmed using a Canon Rebel T6s, GoPro Hero, iPhone 12 and 14 and Crosstour CR-900 by Elphie and Joel A. Swanson. Titles and other animations created and project edited using Final Cut Pro X on a Mac Mini by Joel A. Swanson.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9ZwEF2QQpO_ZsH7j3Ts06Vv_7r-Brix
The remaining footage I included in this project was the first week back in Chicago after our southern Christmas trip. On Monday January 5th, 2026, we were able to watch the Swedish national junior team win the IIHF World Junior National Championship. We watched the broadcast in Swedish as well which was fun though we understood nearly none of what was being said. On Friday January 9th, 2026 as I parked to go into work I noticed two cars very poorly parked nearby. Saturday January 10th, 2026 was the 12th Night/Epiphany party at the Community of the Holy Trinity house. We provided a venison stew. I watched the Bears game to some extent with Zach and we had a good time hanging out with folks to conclude the Christmas and Holiday season.
Additional soundtrack includes "Sing A Christmas Chorus With Me" by Ronnie Martin, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel (2025 version)" by Leper, "The Child With The Star On His Head" by Teel Short, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by The Uh Ohs, The Oh Hellos Family Christmas, "Mary Did You Know" by Ninth Sphere, "I Saw Three Ships/Joy To The World Medley" by Michael W. Smith, "Slow Christmas" by Kentucky Nightmare, "Christmas Is Now Drawing Near At Hand" by James Elkington, "Merry Christmas To Me" Emery, "On Christmas Day" by Erik Koskinen, "Ring, Ring Ring" by Rex Hobart And The Misery Boys, "Auld Lang Syne" by The Lonesome Travelers, "Plasma For Christmas" The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, "Silent Night" by Wynona, "Crazy" by Patsy Cline, "We Three Kings" by Toby Keith, and "Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn" by Found Wandering.
Footage filmed using a Canon Rebel T6s, GoPro Hero, iPhone 12 and 14 and Crosstour CR-900 by Elphie and Joel A. Swanson. Titles and other animations created and project edited using Final Cut Pro X on a Mac Mini by Joel A. Swanson.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9ZwEF2QQpO_ZsH7j3Ts06Vv_7r-Brix
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