Vintage Birds
Chicago Rally
May 27 to June 2, 2024
Depart Sunday June 2 for the Shipshewana Rally
We will be Dry Camping in the gated secure truck staging area Parking Lot B at McCormick Place which is just south of downtown.
Long time Chicago residents Dan and Liz Harris, and former Chicago (suburban) residents Gary and Molly Shilling invite you to explore their city with them. Chicago is a World Class City in every way. With so many things to see and do…
Museum of Science and Industry,
Field Museum of Natural History,
Adler Planetarium,
Shedd Aquarium,
Art Institute,
Architecture (from Mies van der Rohe, Adler and Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, to Architecture Boat Tours),
Public Art (Calder, Picaso, Miro, etc.),
Music (esp. the Blues),
Millenium Park,
Theatre,
Baseball,
Hot Dogs, Pizza, Italian Beef Sandwiches (I’m getting Hungry! Dan has compiled a list of his favorite eateries for us to enjoy!)…and SO MUCH MORE!
The trick will be to find a way to do even a fraction of these in 5 days and also sleep!
ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?
Addressing the elephant in the room: Sensationalized crime reports paint a picture about Chicago-and most Cities-that cannot be believed without context and should not keep anyone away… as with any world class city, literally millions of people in the Chicagoland area go to work, school, church, shopping, entertainment venues, bars, restaurants, theatre and sightseeing every day without incident! Being aware and oriented (and part of the Vintage Birds Group!) is the ticket to a GR8 time!
Our arrival date is Memorial Day, Monday May 27. We will be dry camping in B lot at McCormick Place which is an active secured truck staging area. Not a normal campground by any means but very near downtown and museums. When you make your reservation online you will see that “Leisure Camping” is not allowed. What that means remains to be seen but our plan is to put away any chairs, grills, cook tops, etc. when we are not going to be at “Camp”.
Google search Parking at McCormick Place Chicago: https://www.mccormickplace.com/getting-here/parking-rates/ Scroll down to Bus and RV Parking. Click on Buy Bus/RV Parking Now. The Rate per day with in and out privileges including tax is $38 for a total of $228 for the six days in Chicago. all parking fees must be paid online before you arrive.
Address: 3050 Moe Drive, Chicago, IL. I am using at 12:00 noon check in time on the 27th and 12 noon check out time on June 2nd.
Arrive with a full water tank and empty waste tanks. There are NO HOOK UPS; no water, no dump station, no electric hook ups. There are also no restrictions on generator usage. We will be right by Lake Michigan and normally it is “Cooler by the Lake”, as heard on local weather forecasts. Hopefully it will not be hot and without the need for air conditioning. Some reviews of our camping location in Lot B complain of traffic noise (Lake Shore Drive is on the East of Lot B) Train noise (train tracks to the West of Lot B) and truck traffic at all hours. I see truck traffic as a good thing, truckers will not put up with anyone messing around with their trucks while parked. Lot B is a gated lot.
Our Rally Fee is $100.00 which will include something for breakfast each morning and possibly an evening meal. Outings and attractions are not included in the Rally Fee.
Next page will have the registration form and mailing information.
This may not be the cheapest Rally you have ever attended. Chicago is a big city with big city prices. Parking is expensive and we plan on using Uber, public transportation or walking to limit the hassle of driving and parking. Eating out post COVID has presented patrons with sticker shock and Chicago will be no exception. Dan has compiled a list of eateries that we Must visit. With our limited time in the city, we will not be able to hit all of them, but we will certainly not be going away hungry. Please note that there will be quite a bit of walking while visiting the city.
Rally ends Sunday June 2, Shipshewana Rally begins: Dave and Tina’s Rally officially starts on Wednesday June 5th but many will arrive on or before Sunday June 2. This is a great rally and only a short drive (2.5 hrs.) from Chicago. Call Sam at the Shipshewana North Campground (do not book online) 260 768-7770 and tell him you are with the Blue Birds. Address: 5970 Indiana Rt 5, Shipshewana, IN 46565. Normally there are not any planned events, but impromptu activities do pop up. There are RV surplus stores for the guys, shopping for the girls, a large flea market on Monday and Tuesday and an ice cream shop right on site. Don’t be afraid to get on the waiting list at the campground, there are always cancellations.
Give me a text, email, or a phone call when you register by mail. We will be on the road for a few months and will not pick up the mail until we get home. Questions, information? Hope to see you there!
Gary Shilling 608 739-1296, gmshilling72@gmail.com
A rally starts with an idea – getting a bunch of folks together for a good time. Then, the organizers try to put a framework around “A Good Time” which create the opportunity for a lot of fun. Some attendees want lots planned, some want lots of unscheduled time. Some things need good weather, some things are gr8 for those “less than optimal” weather days. Our approach is to create a ”potential” schedule. This is TOTALLY subject to change as we get a little closer and can evaluate weather, performing artist schedules, suggestions from Rally Attendees, etc. etc. Then, folks can do some, all, or none of…
(Click to see Hypothetical Schedule)
Vintage Birds Chicago Rally
May 27-June 2, 2024, Registration
Name___________________________________________________
Spouse, friend, squeeze_____________________________________
Address_________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Cell Phone_______________________________________________
Cell Phone, S,F, Squeeze____________________________________
Email Address____________________________________________
Vintage Bird Member_____ Guest_______
Date you plan on arriving_______________
Number in your party__________________
Did you make your parking (camping) reservations_______
Check #______In the amount of $100.00
Please make checks payable to and mail to:
Gary Shilling
23369 Gingers Drive
Muscoda, WI 53573
If you must cancel and call me Before the Rally, I will make sure your Rally Fee is refunded.
Gary Shilling 608 739-1296 Email: gmshilling72@gmail.com
