What's everyone's plans for liberty?

[Virginia (Ship 2 - Div. 928)]

I'm sure my family and I will take my SR out to eat, but after that... I'm at a loss on what to plan to do.  What's everyone else planning?  Just curious to compare notes/steal some ideas.  :)

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

goMahvelous

Here is the link to the Gurnee Mills Mall Directory (you can get to there home page and such too.)

Scroll down to Entertainment Theatre it will give you the link to the theatre.

http://www.simon.com/mall/malldirectory.aspx?id=1251

I am planning to go to the Meet and Greet. I am trying to get as much info sent from my main comp to my email so I can access my mini laptop! Don't have them linked up!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

I'm not an expert by any means, but here's a few ideas--Gurnee Mall has movies, so you are correct.  There are also several restaurants.  Across from the mall is a Denny's that's very good with good service if you want something like that.  Going to the mall is somewhat about what I call the "sailor swagger."  They get to walk around no matter the weather and just be with civilians.  You'll find the Wal-mart, too, I'm sure!  If you have a car, if you go north across the state line, but still within your sailor's range, there's the Jelly Belly Factory.  It's not really a factory, but a warehouse with a free tour that explains how they make the candy.  No walking--you ride a little Jelly Belly train.  The biggest attraction is, of course, the gift shop at the end.  Prices really aren't too bad.  There's also another outlet mall three miles to the west of that.

As far as going to the aquarium and museums downtown, all are free for your sailor.  DON'T drive!  Take the train.  Your sailor will probably be given information about how to get there by train, so don't stress out with trying to find out all the details.  The hotels are also helpful with how to get there. The Ramada has Navy shirts for sale, but you'll have a much bigger and better choice at the NEX.

We stayed at the Ramada this last weekend and saw many graduates with their families sitting in the courtyard visiting when the sun finally came out.  Don't plan too much; let them do what they want.  Relax, Moms!  All will be just fine. 

Unless you have the right military ID, I don't think you can drive on the main base, and you can't go shopping there without your sponsor=sailor.  We went to the NEX on Green Bay Road and though I could pay for things myself, I still had to have my son with me.  I've been to other NEX's and had to give him the money to pay, but that was Norfolk and Little Creek.

Above all, enjoy!!!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

ALSO- The toll road thing is an "unknown" will the rental car agency be able to advise me on this?

[Luvn_my_Navy_son(ship 11/div184)]

I actually asked the lady at the hotel where I will be staying how the toll road works & she said it depends on the one you come in on. There are some that you get a ticket at the beginning & you pay the tolls when you get off, some are payable by credit/debit card swipes & some you'll need change. She advised that we make sure to have plenty of nickels, dimes, quarters, one dollar bills & our credit card. She also said they are at various rates, so I guess we'll find out how much it is when it's all said & done.