The University is in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana (total population 180,000) in east-central Illinois. Situated about 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 180 miles northeast of St. Louis.

Nearly 28,000 undergraduate students are enrolled in nine undergraduate divisions, which together offer some 4,000 courses in more than 150 fields of study.

The University enrolls over 9,000 graduate and professional students in more than 100 disciplines.

The University recently recruited 3 brilliant UCSD undergraduates for a unique 1 year Master's program in Mechanical Engineering specializing in nano-engineering.

So is there really a campus in Champaign? Yes.....and a very nice huge one. Here is a small sample of the campus. Enjoy..

Ok, we've seen some pubs and then some more pubs.....do these 3 actually have an apartment? Yes, they do. I spent two nights there. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 2nd floor. These pics show the kitchen/dining/living room. Plenty of space for 3 graduate students in the same program. Walking distance from everything including campus. It's about 8-10 blocks from the campus.

So what do these 3 pics have in common? If you answered, "all three are located in Champaign, IL", you would be correct but ......not really.

My friend Jim, from MN, who attended U of IL for a couple years , asked me to check out 7 different places that were around 30 years ago. These 3 are the only ones I found. Dooley's Cochrane's, Panama Red's, and the White Horse remain lost.

Introducing the next level of Mechanical Engineers.......Friday night.

U of IL (part 2)

The picture does say at least a 1000 words......following a few pubs stops, the decision to head 'home' became unanimous. The incredible drawing power of a CAT excavator was too much for this set of three future engineers of America.

Parking.....now that's a 'bad' word in my vocabulary, and the U of IL did not disappoint me. With google map directions in hand, I easily found the Office of Parking building a mile or so from the campus. I was falsely pleased that nobody else had discovered this 'gem' on that particular time of day....3:30pm Friday. I could see at least 5 dedicated employees through the bullet-proof glass. The large sign in the front lobby clearly directed all new pass holders to a small closet sized room down a short hallway where 2 computers beckoned users to log on.

After several futile attempts I approached the thick glass with my simple request......a 2-day visitors pass, please. I was informed that the sign and computers were not intended for visitor's passes. Right. Ok, what do I need to do? A copy of your car's registration form, a completed City of Champaign Parking Registration Form, a valid driver's license, $15.00, and a pound of flesh.

Thanks to David's email and foresight, I was prepared with the appropriate copies and completed forms. This should be simple! Right!

Just so this doesn't become an entire chapter.....the process, for a prepared visitor, was 25 minutes. Five minutes to locate change for a $20. Remember how crowded it was when I entered? The number of applicants remained constant the entire time. ONE.

After receiving the Yellow pass, shown above, I was advised of the 20 blocks where the pass was valid, and that I needed to fine the right meter, the 10-hour ones. And, that I should find a meter, park the car, and not move it, using somebody else's vehicle. What? You have got to be kidding me! (they weren't smiling, so I don't think they were)

I learned later that the parking fine, if I didn't have the pass, was less than the pass. LOL. OH, one must simply shake their head when you come across such gross inadequacies and incompetent processes. Note that I didn't blame the 'friendly' people. (I'm working on it, ok!)

Taylor, David, and Tyler enjoying menu items at The Blind Pig. Pub #1 on our tour. Go to www.blindpigco.com for even more info.

Anna Schweig, my favorite bartender in Champaign, delightfully pours another glass of joy!

If you look closely, this soon to be priceless menu was autographed by Anna.

August 27-29, 2010

Welcome to the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana campus! It was a 3oo mile weekend road trip to visit David and his cohorts as they begin their adventure of obtaining their Master's degree.

The Silver Sipper performed flawlessly as it slid down the WI and IL highways. Average mpg was 56 on the trip down. With a sticker rating of 48 highway and 53 city, I am more than pleased with the performance.

Our first stop on my inaugural visit Friday night was The Blind Pig. The first of many glasses was the Anderson Valley Anniversary Imperial IPA......most excellent!