Requirements have changed for most states. You need to prove you’re a “documented” American. There are a couple states that don’t require additional documentation now with Washington being one of them. However, the rumor is that even that will soon change.
Remember in October we renewed Terry’s license? We had actually intended to renew mine also since South Dakota will let you renew your driver’s license 180 days before the expiration and with a temporary extension permit, 30 days after the expiration. It didn’t quite work out. Most of my documentation – mail to our South Dakota address and hotel receipt – was in his name. Oops … it needed to be in mine. Thus, we just renewed his license.
The middle of November I applied for a 30 day extension and received one with an expiration date of December 31. I knew we had to go before flights started filling up with holiday travelers.
Chicago airport decorated for the holidays
Our little trek on Wednesday had a purpose. It was to renew that license. This is what I took with me and this time it was in MY name and not Terry’s?
Birth Certificate | Social Security Card | Insurance Statement |
Drivers License | Affidavit of Residency | Bank Statements |
Application
|
Hotel Receipt
|
Wedding Certificate
|
We pulled out Wednesday morning before the crack of light and pulled into our hotel parking lot after the crack of dark. We had originally planned on a flight from Phoenix through Dallas to Sioux Falls but the flight was full so we took a detour. We ended up going Phoenix – Dallas – Chicago – Sioux Falls.
It was cold, cold, cold in Chicago and in Sioux Falls. We even saw old SNOW on the ground.
The renewal location is close to the airport and shares the parking lot with a nice Sleep Inn Hotel. It was so much easier and closer than where we stayed the last time we had to do this. Thursday morning the mission was accomplished and in less than 15 minutes we were heading back to the airport.
This time we were able to get on a flight straight from Chicago to Phoenix. We only had a 45 minute connection time in Chicago and our flight from Sioux Falls was late arriving. Ever have to run through the Chicago airport? Those gates can be a long ways apart but the most important thing is that we made it just in time to board.
Arriving back in Arizona we were once again warm again. We were also starved. I didn’t want to cook or look for a restaurant. We went inside the Elks lounge just to check if they were serving dinner. They weren't but they knew we hadn’t wanted to miss the big stroganoff feed the night before but would be gone. What did they do? They saved some for us!! Does that tell you anything about this Elks?
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Today is D-Day in my camera dilemma. First, there was the one I cancelled and then I ordered a second one.
After a couple days I received a message that the ordered was canceled due to a technical error. What in the world is a technical error? I figured it meant they had already sold the last one in stock! I needed to order another one. My American Express was now sitting with three pending charges for three cameras. I’m holding my breath that nothing else goes wrong and it will be delivered TODAY in perfect condition. My fingers are crossed that I’m through ordering for a while.
I sure didn’t have much to take pictures of for this blog!!! Perhaps, that will change. Our next little trek will be to Portland for Christmas. January we'll have to come up with a fun destination ... someplace.
‘Tis life on the road.
There are two great days in a person's life - the day we are born and the day we discover why.
Glad you are getting things straightened put
ReplyDeleteJanuary the most fun place I can think of is Quartzsite.
'Tis life on an airplane.... :cD
ReplyDeleteI have a gold star on my SD driver's license which means I can renew by mail. Too bad I'm "moving" to FL next Feb.
You two sure do get around!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel running through Chicago airport. I have done it several times. It seems like most people are running through that airport.
All this prove your name and residency stuff is making life challenging for many of us. Glad you got yours all straightened out. Sorry you had to go north in winter to do it.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are definitely the travelers...planes, trains, cars and RV's...OMG!
ReplyDeleteEven with a little rush through the airport, sounds like you got what you needed and got back home without much trouble. Always nice to have everything current! Sounds like your camera dilemma is a bit more taxing, sure hope you end up with one camera and one charge :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Christmas in Portland. !! Safe travels
ReplyDelete