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Comment by HizproudMama on April 12, 2013 at 1:01pm

Bobbo, yes I think that's probaly where we're gonna end up is Gurnee Mall. Maybe hit Ruby Tuesdays and Im sure he's gonna wanna get his girlfriend a gift too. Our shuttle is pickup us up at 3:30 from base,(because of our flight time) so hopefully we can at least get to do that much.

Comment by lemonelephant on April 10, 2013 at 10:53pm

Bobbo, HizproudMama will not be able to go to the NEX the day after PIR since her Sailor will no longer be at the RTC since he will be at the airport or already on his way to "A" School.

Everyone, your Sailor will know when s/he must be back at the RTC (or TSC if staying in GL). Be sure to drop your Sailor off at least 30 minutes before Liberty expires. (See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/FamilyGuide_v14Mar2013.pdf.)

Comment by Bobbo on April 10, 2013 at 4:41pm

HizproudMama, your sailor should be allowed to leave. They have to be back before taps, I believe. You should have about 8 hours with him. Remember, most of the base is on off limits to see. The only thing we did was go to the Nex (Navy Exchange) and the 'shop' next door which is for photos. If time is short, forget Nex until the next day when no one is there. Leave with your sailor as soon as you can and go have lunch. Go and walk the mall. Also, the sailors want to be alone, talk a long shower/bath alone (your hotel bathroom), sleep a little alone (your hotel room). I notice mine really wanted privacy which he didn't have any for the 8 weeks. Remember, a long shower/bath alone is something they have been deprived of.

Comment by Bobbo on April 10, 2013 at 4:33pm

I do believe that Gurnee is the best location due to restaurants, mall, and other things. It is only about 10-12 mins away from the front gate into PIR and where you pick-up/drop-off your sailor.

Also, here is a huge tip: Stay away from coming into PIR the 'normal' or 'typical' way. Come from the north. Along the RR tracks. If you see where the main gate is and come from there, that is much better. The best is coming from MLK down 24th(???). It is the street that dead-ends into the gate for PIR and no one uses it. You skip all the cars coming down the main road trying to make a right into the base. MLK is the 1st main street north of the base. Turn right just before you cross the RR tracks. Navigation will have it and so will a map. You can't get lost. Scout it out the afternoon/evening before.

Comment by Bobbo on April 10, 2013 at 4:26pm

Mcah's mom, I totally agree. And a rent a car is best especially when time is short and you don't want to waste a moment. When we spent time with our new Sailor, we stayed local. Even though we are from So. Calif., I had taken him to Chicago so often that he didn't care about seeing anything in particular. He just wanted deep dish pizza as often as he could get it. He grew up going to Giordano's and there is one in Gurnee. That's where we stayed. There are plenty of good places there to eat. They have Giordano's Pizza, Cracker Barrel and a homemade ice cream shop (forget the name) by the Best Western there and is next door to an Irish pub/sports bar (Timothy O'Tools or something). It's the same company that sells milk in the area. There is also great breakfast/lunch/dinner Greek owned place called The Point on the HWY 41. And Gurnee has a shopping mall to walk around in and to get them quick supplies for A school and you can walk and talk.

Comment by Micah's mom on April 10, 2013 at 12:17pm

Hizproudmama - I think you have a great plan to "wait and see".  I noticed the Sailors that had girlfriends come for PIR tended to stay closer to the hotel and relax where the single guys were all about the pizza and sights.  :)

Comment by HizproudMama on April 10, 2013 at 11:58am

Great suggestions and things to think about everyone.I'm going to decide after I hear back from him with regards to what his wants are. I don't think he's gonna care if we go down into Chicago or stay close to base. He's just gonna be excited/grateful to see us., especially his girlfriend. I just wish we had the full weekend to spend with him. It's ok I will make it work with what time we have.

Comment by BeachBunny on April 10, 2013 at 10:54am

HizproudMama- I didn't think driving around Chicago was that bad, I live a town of 3000, not a big city. It's pretty much a straight shot up highway 94 to Great Lakes from O'Hare. You can find some great rates on rental cars. I got a car for $12 a day thru Southwest, if you look around you may find a great deal on a rental car. About 4 miles or so is the Gurnee Mills mall plenty of restaurants, shops and a movie theater. We went to a movie and saw several other sailor and families walking around the mall. I'd figure the cost of the different shuttle/taxi rides, it maybe cheaper and more freedom to rent a day....good luck! 

Comment by Micah's mom on April 10, 2013 at 7:17am

My suggestion about renting a car - do it.  Your time to spend with your Sailor is so short and to have to spend some of that time waiting on transportation, UGH!  My son wanted to do certain things while still in Chicago (Navy Pier, Real Chicago Pizza, The Sear's Tower, etc).  Also, your Sailor may have a watch in the middle of the day that he/she has to be back to base then they may have a couple of more hours they can have liberty, then back on base before liberty is done for the day.  We just spent a lot of time going back and forth and I would have hated missing any time with my son because I was waiting on a taxi or other means of transportation.  Hope this helps anyone trying to decide.  :)

Comment by HizproudMama on April 10, 2013 at 5:35am

lemonelephant,

we have a room arranged for 2 May overnight at the Navy Lodge/ with a flight out of O Hara on 3 May in the evening 8pm. I have a reservation for shuttle pickup there and back on the night of departure. According to the the clerk at Lodging he said they have a shuttle which could take me to PIR that a.m.& for me not to worry about that. (wheww..lol) I just dont wanna deal with traffic and moving around in an unfamiliar place by renting a car(especially on a short amount of time), but I'm reconsidering maybe just for that day now. Or just take a taxi to somewhere nearby. I just dont know what's nearby and what other options for leisure we/he would want to do which is why renting a car makes a little more sense.

Thanks for the links very helpful. You guys are lifesavers !

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