(06-05-2013, 08:55 PM)Himm2 Wrote:

(06-05-2013, 08:17 PM)Babbs234 Wrote: Were you a kid who was always building and fixing things?

When I was about 10 years old I built a minigolf hole in our orchard behind our house. It was just flattened out smooth dirt with a 2x4 border and a hole with a simple obstacle.
Then when I built my house in 1988 I had a 7 foot deep crawl space and I was going to build a minigolf course down there but it never happened. I finally achieved my life-long dream of building a pretty cool minigolf course at the young age of 60.

This photo shows how the party can expand into the detention basin next to my yard for Volleyball & Croquet. Yes that is a toilet seat that frames the vent hole from the gas heater for my hot tub in the screen porch.

(06-06-2013, 06:07 PM)buzzenator Wrote: One question...Is the detention basin a "time out" area for Haliens that are out of control? I should probably bring a "time out" lawn chair.

(06-06-2013, 06:07 PM)buzzenator Wrote:

(06-05-2013, 08:55 PM)Himm2 Wrote:

(06-05-2013, 08:17 PM)Babbs234 Wrote: Were you a kid who was always building and fixing things?

When I was about 10 years old I built a minigolf hole in our orchard behind our house. It was just flattened out smooth dirt with a 2x4 border and a hole with a simple obstacle.
Then when I built my house in 1988 I had a 7 foot deep crawl space and I was going to build a minigolf course down there but it never happened. I finally achieved my life-long dream of building a pretty cool minigolf course at the young age of 60.

This photo shows how the party can expand into the detention basin next to my yard for Volleyball & Croquet. Yes that is a toilet seat that frames the vent hole from the gas heater for my hot tub in the screen porch.

Captain Dinkens, the Chi-town mini-golf course Architect...I'm bringing my clubs, especially my putter.

One question...Is the detention basin a "time out" area for Haliens that are out of control? I should probably bring a "time out" lawn chair.

(06-06-2013, 07:59 PM)Babbs234 Wrote: Himm, do you have a lot of mosquitos after it rains? Buzz, you better bring some bug spray just in case.
Oh, and don't forget your frisbee...

(06-07-2013, 09:07 PM)Miguel Wrote: Okay, I'm in.

Because I'm trying to do this as economically as possible, I booked a Saturday flight on United that will arrive shortly before 4 PM. I will leave on Monday shortly before Noon. Airfare is roughly $264 roundtrip.

I used Priceline to book a hotel and chose the "make a bid" option.

My parameters were a three-star-or-higher property in the Northbrook area.

My bid was $50.

The Crowne Plaza Chicago Northbrook accepted my bid. Total came to $60 a night including taxes and fees.

This hotel is rated pretty highly on TripAdvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g36464-d87923-Reviews-Crowne_Plaza_Hotel_Chicago_Northbrook-Northbrook_Illinois.html

Google maps shows it being about 4 miles from Wheeling's city center.

Priceline also kicked out some pretty attractive offers on rental cars. I tried to bid lower but it wouldn't accept them. Ultimately, I rented a full-size car for $15 a day. About $68 total because the "taxes and fees" were more than the car rental. Apparently any excess that Priceline charges goes to them. The total price though was still less than what Hotwire charged for a smaller vehicle. Turns out the car rental agency is Hertz. The car is described as a "Dodge Charger or similar."

So, about $450 total for round-trip nonstop airfare, 2 days of car rental, 2 hotel nights and applicable taxes and fees.