Sleeping in public places | How About Orange

July 29, 2008

Sleeping in public places

On Saturday we spent a glorious afternoon at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Part of what made it glorious was the nap we took on our picnic blanket in a secluded spot. Usually I have a hard time sleeping in public places because I'm always afraid I'll get in trouble. I'll miss my train stop, I'll drool on the person next to me, someone will take my stuff, a policeman will knock on my window and arrest me, you name it. But Saturday I felt nice and safe under a tree, way back where no other visitors wandered. Now I just need to figure out how to make some kind of DIY inflatable neck pillow. Stay tuned for that tutorial. (Yeah, not likely.) And does anyone else struggle against the temptation to eat any wild berry thing you find in the woods? I just wanted to pop one of those green things into my mouth. But I didn't.

28 comments:

Mona said...

I love the Botanical garden but I am not comfortable sleeping in the park, I am glad it turned out okay for you. Be safe and take care.

Kelly G. said...

Don't eat the poisonous berries! The sleeping in the gardens sounds lovely. I always say that I can breath better when we are at the gardens, I bet I could sleep better too.

Sarah Taylor said...

I'm so glad you didn't eat that green thing but I can see how you would be tempted...beautiful! It sounds so nice, napping under a tree! I really enjoy your blog!
Sarah

Grandma G said...

Naps ARE glorious! :-)

Mum

Anonymous said...

I once fell asleep reading a book outside and when I woke up it had started to storm! Now I always check the weather *first*

Brie said...

My mom made this neck pillow thing for my dad's air travel out of a kids' arm floatie. It works pretty well & packs up very small.

I love to nap outside. I recently went to a lake and laid on a large float on the water for a while. Prime napping time. :)

Anonymous said...

@fabric8:

Oh, that sounds like heaven, to be awoken by the rain!

picciolo said...

Hi Jess, thanks very much for putting one of my leaf series into your 'fun things to buy from etsy' section!

Your nap sounds great, good luck with the inflatable cushion
: )

Rebekah said...

i fell asleep in the middle of hyde park once. sleeping in the halls during college was a must sometimes. and i've been known to fall asleep in the bathroom at work...girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Unknown said...

Hee! I once at a gooseberry in the Chicago Botanic because I had read about them (I took a Russian Lit class and I think Chekhov mentioned it once or 1,000 times) and had never tried them. And I hardly ever see them in the Grocery store!

Hannita said...

Mmm... I napped at the end of a pier at the 35th? 31st? St. beach. I was supposed to be reading for class and ended up falling asleep. And then was woken up by tourists that wanted their picture taken with the Chicago skyline in the background. I understand, it's a beautiful view. But still I was a little miffed.

feathermar said...

I always fall asleep at the beach. The sound of the waves, the breeze, the umbrella, the snacks...

Alfred T. Mahan said...

Hah! And people laugh at me for my Wilderness Survival merit badge! Between that and my knowledge of how to build a telegraph, my time in the BSA was hardly mis-spent, I can tell you...

Yes, don't eat the green berries. Your medical visit would have irked me somewhat.

Lisa Martin said...

never had the temptation to eat a wild something or other, but definitely smell it!
And I'm w/ you on the nap thing. Way too paranoid, almost so much so that I can't sleep in a hotel room!

Anonymous said...

I would be totally tempted! In fact, my husband and I love wild black berries, and we would harvest from the park in CA. Along with tons of others! haha. Enjoy you sleeping in the park. I will be heading to Chicago soon for 1 week. Any suggestion where to visit, best is non touristy. Thanks.

annie-san said...

I once took a jet-lagged induced nap beneath harbor bridge in Sydney, Australia using my backpack as a pillow. It was glorious and memorable.

Tracy Elaine said...

I used to take naps on a bench near the bocce ball courts at Aquatic Park here in S.F. On a sunny day, it was a nice relaxing spot to be, since it was shielded from tourists and the wind by a row of bushes.

I once woke up when a small bird perched itself on my stomach. It hopped around for a bit and then flew away. Amazing...

Jessica Jones said...

No way! That would be a surprise.

Anonymous said...

My husband would have tried the green thing for sure.

Anonymous said...

Hi, thanks for your blog!
Pls, pls, I am going to Chicago for the first time, can you give some advice on what NOT to miss. Except a nap in the Botanic Garden...

Thanks from a swedish reader

Anonymous said...

A friend of mine backpacked through Europe when she got out of college. She met up with some other students and they decided to travel together. They had a picnic in a park, and Sue fell asleep only to wake up a short time later to find her "friends" and her belongings gone. Thankfully she still had her passport and her travelers checks. Be careful where you nap!

Anonymous said...

http://blog.betzwhite.com/2008/07/ban-bobble.html

Ask, and Craftzine shall provide!

Jessica Jones said...

Well, Linda, depends on what you like to do... there are a bunch of museums (google Chicago museums). I like the Chicago History Museum the best, I think. Right downtown is Millennium Park"; you could see if any free events are on the schedule. Navy pier is not one of my favorite places, but right now they have a Chinese circus performing, and it's worth it to ride on the huge ferris wheel once. Amazing view. That's the touristy stuff. I like more low-key. There are a some cute shops in Lincoln Square, and the desserts there at Cafe Selmarie are great. Some other fun shops sort of near each other in Wicker Park: Willow and Sprout Home, followed by a falafel sandwich at Sultan's Market on North Ave. Then head east on North Ave to CB2. If you're here at the right time you could go to the Renegade Craft Fair. Look for other events at citysearch.com. Good food: Fogo de Chao, Tsuki (the sushi is small but the rest of the menu is great) Grand Luxe Cafe, Geja's Cafe for fondue. Have fun!

Anonymous said...

The botanical garden is gorgeous! Unfortunately, last time we went, it was near 100 degrees and so humid out. I can't usually sleep in a public place either, but I could see how it would happen there.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
thank you SO much for the advices! I realise I didnt give you any information about what I want to do. But what you wrote is interesting. I have just booked hotel in Mignificant Mile and will spend the last two days up north and visit the botanic garden. Unfortunately I dont have too much time for shopping since I am going with my 2 kids (4 and 2).
Thanks again, Linda

Kristina Strain said...

Those berries are Jack in the Pulpit, and they'd kill ya. Glad you didn't try them. Lovely photos, tho!

Jessica Jones said...

Thanks for identifying them! Glad I didn't chow down.

wolf tshirt said...

I love sleeping in the parks with picnic blankets.