We had to do the holidays a bit different than in the past for 2024. I had usually been able to leave work for both Thanksgiving and Christmas but the loss of a co-worker this year left us somewhat short handed so I remained for Thanksgiving. We were able to travel to Pennsylvania a bit later, leaving on Black Friday and celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas over the few days after during which I also was able to partake in the Pennsylvania White Tail Deer Rifle Season. We had a more typical Christmas visit to the southern family before returning to Chicago so I could get back to work during New Year's.
I created a separate post and video for the Pennsylvania White Tail Deer Hunt that you can find here.
I created a separate post and video for the Pennsylvania White Tail Deer Hunt that you can find here.
https://youtu.be/a2GvISKz85k
Thanksgiving (11.28.2024)
We had Thanksgiving with some of our J.P.U.S.A. friends this year. With a co-workers passing and the other utilizing his vacation time, I didn't get to leave early as I often have done for the holiday to go to Pennsylvania. I also went to work on Thanksgiving at Cornerstone Community Outreach, though it felt like I probably could have not been there and everything would have been ok. As I drove to work, I noticed a couple of groups of people running along Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
The dinner at J.P,U.S.A. was good and hanging with friends was nice too. Afterwards. we brought Alana back with us. Alana was keeping Stein company and getting a break while we went to Pennsylvania. I dropped Elphie and Alana off then went to charge so we would be in good shape to start the driving the next day.
Northern Family Thanksgiving And Christmas (11.29.2024 - 12.04.2024)
We left Chicago on Friday November 29th, 2024 for Pennsylvania. There was a significant blizzard hitting the Erie area which was likely to impact our drive. As we drove we looked ahead to see what we might need to do...either stopping or detouring. We stopped in South Bend, Indiana for dinner and charging and figured we'd most likely need to stop in the Cleveland area. That is what we ended up doing. We picked a hotel that was meant to have a charger on location but that information proved to be incorrect.
We resumed our drive on Saturday November 30th, 2024. This was the first day of the Pennsylvania White Tail Deer rifle season and my hope was to be out hunting rather than driving through northeast Ohio. We had to stop in Mentor to get the car charged up to 80%. I wanted to do this just in case there was any trouble reaching the chargers in Erie, Pennsylvania. As it would turn out, that is exactly what happened. While the chargers were functioning, according to the app, apparently they were inaccessible due to the snowfall amount and it having not been cleared. We also had notices as we entered Pennsylvania that I-90 remained closed in the Erie area before we normally exit so we detoured. We saw a few vehicles that had gotten stranded in the snow as we drove from Cleveland to Pennsylvania, including one right on the state line. there wasn't much to see of these vehicles! We used State Route 98 and headed south to US-6N and then US-6 to get around the closure and hopefully the worst of the snow. We kept it slower than usual but steady and eventually got to my parents house at about 2:00pm. We had 10-15% of the battery remaining. I spent the rest of the day hunting as well as the next day which resulted in harveting an 8-point buck. You can find the post documenting my 2024 Pennsylvania White Tail Deer Hunting here.
We celebrating our Northern Family Thanksgiving and Christmas on Monday December 2nd, 2024. We had some tenderloin from the 8-point buck I shot for dinner and we opened our gifts and gave the family their gifts. The next morning, Tuesday December 3rd, 2024, I had to drive to Erie for an "Auto Butler" and tire rotation appointment at the Hallman dealership. There had been another significant snowfall and the roads weren't in the best conditions. I ended up arriving a bit late but I was able to navigate the trip safely. The car was pretty covered in slush and other road residue. The appointment didn't take too long really and I headed back to Warren after a stop to get a charge as I left the Erie area.
On Wednesday December 4th, 2024, we headed back to Chicago. I didn't notice that the CrossTour CR-900 had been knocked a bit off from pointing directly in front of us which makes the clips from it going forward through the rest of this project and beyond a bit off. I did adjust it during this drive somewhat but in the editing process I realize it was also turned a bit toward the driver's side of the car. We made the full trip back to Chicago, arriving late into the night. We hit another snowstorm as we arrived in South Bend, Indiana for our last charge. We also met up with a guy named Charles we had met during Bloodline Fest. He apparently spoke about dealing with animal bones, hides, and other parts in proximity to Elphie and she suggested that we connect. I offered the hide and ribcage from the 8-point buck and he accepted. He mentioned something about trying to make a lamp from it. He met us by the chargers and we made the exchange. We got there a bit later than we had hoped. We also ended up having the charger malfunction after we began charging but it continued to charge despite the malfunction. The machine stated it was offline but we kept on charging. We decided to let it go to 100% to maximize the potential "free charge" we were now getting. As it stands, we did not get charged for the energy delivered after the malfunction! This all made our arrival to Chicago that much later. We we did safely arrive. We unloaded and filled the freezer with meat!
December In Chicago (12.05.2024 - 12.12.2024)
On Saturday December 7th, 2024, despite having that Auto Butler appointment, we collected a lot more road debris on our drive back to Chicago so we decided to utilize a car wash during our usual grocery shopping trip. Before we left, We went to charge the car and got another free charge! On our way back, there was a "tumble tree" on Pershing Road. Apparently someone didn't tie their Christmas tree down so well and it fell off their vehicle and remained in the middle of the eastbound lanes.
On Sunday December 8th, 2024, we made a trip to Romeoville to Wasted Youth Tattoo and Piercing for Elphie to get a resizing of her cheek piercings. Along the way I noticed a Christmas tree dangling from a crane. I captured that along with some Christmas trees after we exited off the highway. I captured the tree as we headed north back to Chicago as well along with some decorations along one of the other exits.
12.13.2024
On Sunday December 8th, 2024, we made a trip to Romeoville to Wasted Youth Tattoo and Piercing for Elphie to get a resizing of her cheek piercings. Along the way I noticed a Christmas tree dangling from a crane. I captured that along with some Christmas trees after we exited off the highway. I captured the tree as we headed north back to Chicago as well along with some decorations along one of the other exits.
12.13.2024
On Friday December 13th, 2024 I went to Metro to catch one of the two nights of MxPx shows! It was a good show on fairly cold night. I got there and the decent balcony space was all taken but I found a spot stage left on the raised section of the floor that worked out pretty well to see decently. They had The Ataris open the night. I captured San Dimas High School Football Rules from their set. Tobin Bawinkel of Flatfoot 56 came out to do a guest spot with MxPx fo "Stay Up All Night" but I didn't end up capturing that. It isn't a song I care all that much about and also didn't realize it was going to happen, ha! Apparently that is the song for guest spots as Josh Caterer of The Smoking Popes also got to step in and sing it the next night. I ended up capturing "December" which had a guest vocal also from Saffron of Won't Stay Dead. I felt it was an appropriate song to capture.
December In Chicago (12.05.2024 - 12.12.2024)
On Saturday December 14th, 2024, Elphie got invited to a birthday party for a friend named Jade. It was at an Asian restaurant called Tasty Bistro and then Xtreme Wheels skating rink in Crystal Lake, Illinois. We got some good food and hung for a while at the skating rink. Elphie tried a Japanese soda that required popping out a ball to carbonate the drink.
On Wednesday December 18th, 2024, we held our Christmas party for the Cornerstone Community Outreach men's program. I also captured some footage of the CTA Holiday Train passing through to the Wilson station from the Truman College parking garage. On the drive home I captured some footage of the drive-through Christmas light display in the parking lots for Guaranteed Rate Field.
On Thursday December 19th, 2024 I captured the Wilson Abbey Windows, the zoo lights, and the downtown lights while driving on Lake Shore Drive.
Southern Family Christmas (12.20.2024 - 12.29.2024)
We began our trek southward on Friday December 20th, 2024. I took the day off and we got going in the morning. The trip from Chicago through Indiana to Cincinnati was mostly efficient and uneventful. We arrived in Cincinnati and met with the Humans for dinner at Panda Express while the car charged. We ended up getting to 100% and I tried to get to the car before the 10 minute grace period ended which would result in "idle charges." I did get the car unplugged and moved but the machine continued to count the idle time resulting in I think 2 minutes that I had to pay for. I suppose since we got those free charges, I can handle paying a few cents but it still sort of bothered me. The chargers were at a Meijer so we went in to pick up a couple things then drove to the Sheehy's to stay for the night.
On Saturday December 21st, 2024 we left the Sheehy's to continue our drive south through Kentucky into Tennessee and stop near Knoxville for the night. We stopped at the state line rest area going into Tennessee even though we had just stopped to charge. We arrived at our hotel and found that there was a Buc-ee's right across the street on the same exit. We went to the Buccee's for a few minutes and got some BBQ dinner to eat. Once we got to the hotel, we tried to utilize the charger but it wouldn't connect. The message I got said I needed to insert the plug deeper somehow but it wouldn't move any further. We used another nearby charger so that we could get going first thing in the morning rather than needing to charge before leaving. I also hoped the charge would be more efficient with the car already being warm from the driving. At the hotel I watched the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins both lose their games.
On Sunday December 22nd, 2024 we completed our drive. We stopped in Asheville, NC at a Mod Pizza to meet up with Steve and one of his friends. The pizza and the hangs were good. To get to Asheville, we had to detour into the mountains. This brought us through Hot Springs, NC and the destruction of its small downtown area. There were tents set up in a park we passed that we assume were for folks to live in after the the storm ruined or destroyed their homes. There were signs with QR codes for scanning to donate to the recovery effort. I had captured some of the damage on the CrossTour CR-900 as we passed through. Leaving Asheville, our next charge was to the east and in another area that experienced significant damage. I had checked ahead of time and the chargers did work, however, they were slower than preferable. I got out and walked down to the nearby river looking at the damage done there. This route had us arrive from the north rather than the west. In town, we saw a Santa outside some business. Once we arrived, we went with Elphie's family to catch the Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the theater.
On Monday December 23rd, 2024 we visited with Elphie's friend D and had stuff shells for dinner. It was a nice visit.
We spent Christmas Eve Tuesday December 24th, 2024, with Elphie's mom. She told us of the damage in their part of town and we exchanged some gifts. We brought her along to a church service and gift opening with Elphie's sister and brother and their kids.
We spent Christmas Day Wednesday December 25th, 2024 by Elphie waking up early for Christmas gift opening at her sisters then going over to her brother's house to visit with them for a bit. There was an evening get together at the in-laws of Elphie's sister with a White Elephant Gift Exchange that we scrambled to join last minute.
On Thursday December 26th, 2024, we visited with Elphie's cousin, eating left over Christmas food. It was another nice visit with him and his family. We brought Elphie's mom along as well.
On Friday December 27th, 2024 as we departed for home, we stopped at R.O.'s to get BBQ and pick up some slaw to bring back home. Elphie's mom, brother, and friend Dwayne all joined us before we hit the road home. As we drove, we utilized the same route and some of the same chargers. We met up with Arthur at Mod Pizza this time in Asheville where it was determined we'd have to take a detour due to high winds. This detour forced us to need to utilize another charger that we had used the year before. We didn't charge for very long, just enough to get us to the hotel where we would be staying. We stopped for dinner at Shoney's. Elphie had talked this place up as being primarily a breakfast food buffet but apparently things had changed. Breakfast was served until 11:00am. There was a buffet but it would change themes each day. This day had "Steak And Such" so that is what we got. We ate as much as we could and proceeded to the hotel just north of Knoxville. This one had a charger that worked. I just had to download the app to access it and it had a fee but it wasn't terribly expensive.
On Saturday December 28th, 2024, we headed north out of Tennessee into Kentucky. We made a Bojangles pit stop and continued on our way toward Cincinnati. We decided to use the loop around the city due to the football game happening in downtown as well as one of the bridges being out due to an arson event in the fall. We met up with Lisa and had dinner at Cazador Mexican Grill while the car charged then we all went to Jungle Jim's to hang out and acquire a few international items. I wanted to get some Scandinavian Julmust (Christmas) soda which I got one 4 pack case. I also was looking for German Schokokusse but after searching far and wide throughout the international sections, I was left empty handed. We got Merry Mallows from the UK instead. We said our goodbyes to Lisa and made our way south to the Sheehy's for the night. When we got there, an unfortunate accident happened and I lost two bottles of Julmust as they fell out of the car and shattered on the driveway.
We finished our drive back to Chicago on Sunday December 29th, 2024. I found that the efficiently of the northward drive out of Cincinnati to Indianapolis and beyond was considerably less than the trip southbound. I assume most of the northbound trip must be uphill. This effected out charging times, making for longer stops in order to get to the next one. We made it home in the later evening, much to Stein's happiness.
Breaking the drives into three days had the advantages of less exhaustion but does shorten the visit a bit. I suppose we will play future driven trips by ear in this regard.
New Year's Eve, New Year's, and Epiphany/12th Night Party (12.30.2024 - 01.04.2025)
After arriving back in Chicago on Monday December 30th, 2024, as I made my commute to work, Chicago was obscured by clouds.
On Tuesday December 31st, 2024, after a long work day I decided to drive the Wrigleyville strip, capturing the Christmas lighting of the bars. I also drove Michigan Avenue through the Magnificent Mile to capture those lights, the tree and lighting at Millennium Park, as well as some of State Street. At home, Elphie was enjoying her noise maker and I grilled some venison chops for dinner. We rung in the New Year watching it on television. There were some neighborhood fireworks but not too much this year.
I worked late on New Year's Day as well. Elphie captured video of the gifts we gave each other and I captured some clips of the zoo and city lights from Lake Shore Drive again using the CrossTour CR-900.
On Saturday January 4th, 2025, we attended the Epiphany/Twelfth Night of Christmas gathering at the Community Of The Holy Trinity with our friends who live there and others. We provided some venison stew which everyone who could eat it seemed to enjoy. It was a fun, enjoyable way to end the holiday season.
Additional soundtrack includes "November Child" by The Crossing, "The First Noel" by E.V.P., "Silent Night" by Anemia, "Silent Night" by Cain Johnson, "Silent Night" by Anastasia Bird, "Kill A Tree For Jesus" by Insomniac Folklore, "O Christmas Trea" by The Uh Ohs, "Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night" by Seaside Holiday, "The Ghost Of Last Christmas" by Slow Salvation, "Christmas Time Is Here" by Starflyer 59, "On Christmas Morning" by Ronnie Martin, "Little Drummer Boy" by The Echoing Green, "Let It Snow" by Sleeping At Last, "Silver Bells/War Is Over" by Kevin Max, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Nate Ford, "Waltz Of The Flowers" by August Burns Red, "Waltz Of The Flowers" by Mr. Tyler Larson, "Blood On The Banjo" by Destroy Nate Allen, and "New Year's Day" by U2
Footage filmed using an 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.
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