Unclear Clearance

This didn't cause any problems other than some additional radio traffic but
it caught me off guard. Let me know what you think...

I flew PWK (just north of O'Hare) to D95 (Lapeer just east of Flint,
Michigan). Went VFR across the lake but then encountered reduced vis and
lowering ceilings so I air-filed with Lansing FS over Pullman VOR. After
reading off the clearance request, Lansing said, "IFR on file. Do you need a
frequency?" Since they offered, I said yes. They said something like, "try
133.65."

I wasn't sure who was going to be on the other end so I listened for about
30 seconds before I heard someone refer to Chicago Center.

- Me: Chicago Center, Lake 3049P is VFR over Pullman VOR and just filed
with Lansing. Destination D95. Can we pick up our clearance when you get a
chance?

- Chicago Center: Lake 3094P. Chicago Center. Squawk 3143 and I'll look it
up.

15 seconds later.

- CC: Lake 3094P. Chicago Center. Radar Contact and I've got your clearance
when you're ready.
- Me: Lake 94P. Ready to copy.
- CC: Lake 3094P is cleared direct to the Flint VOR then D95. Climb
maintain 5000.

For starters, that even caught me off guard since the squawk and frequency
were missing. It took me several brain ticks to realize that I was already
squawking and talking. Tick. Tick. On the other hand, she had given me the
squawk before having the clearance in hand. I half presumed that the squawk
would change. Tick. Tick. On the other hand, I had told her our destination
so maybe she picked a squawk that would work. Tick. Tick. Maybe I should
stop worrying about how to do her job. Tick. Tick. But what if she
misunderstood. Tick. Tick. What if I misunderstood. Tick Tick.

After the read back of the somewhat abbreviated clearance.

- CC: Lake 94P. Read back correct.Contact Grand Rapids approach on 128.4.

As I was switching to Grand Rapids, it occured to me that I didn't know if I
was cleared to proceed and to climb. It seemed odd to hand me off to Grand
Rapids for a release when it would have been just seconds from getting the
clearance from Chicago Center. Tick. Tick. On the other hand, I was pretty
sure that when I have air-filed in the past that the readback confirmation
was followed with instructions. Tick. Tick. OK. Chicago Center was just
acting as the delivery agent and Grand Rapids would handle the release.
Tick. Tick. At least they know who I am. I've got a squawk. And I'm in radar
contact.

I had been circling in VFR conditions and remained that way until I got a
hold of Grand Rapids. I knew that Grand Rapids would just be getting the
flight strip so, when I contacted them, I said something like:

- Me: Grand Rapids Approach, Lake 3094P just got our clearance from Chicago
Center. We're 2500 in VFR near Pullman VOR. Destination D95.

- Grand Rapids: Lake 3094P, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids altimeter 29.98.

Huh? That made it seem as if Grand Rapids thought that I was already cleared
on course and they were just taking the handoff. But, I wasn't sure, so I
asked.

- Me: Grand Rapids. Lake 94P. I wasn't sure if Chicago Center cleared me on
course or not. Am I cleared on course and up to 5000?

- Grand Rapids: Lake 94P. If you need a heading, fly heading 060. And, huh,
yea, your cleared up to 5000. Let me know when you're picking up Flint VOR
and can proceed direct.

- Me: We're GPS. Direct Flint. Climb Maintain 5000. Lake 94P

- Grand Rapids: Lake 94P. Roger.

So. Was Chicago's initial read of my clearance also my clearance to proceed?
Or, did they expect me to get a "release" from Grand Rapids. Even if they
did expect me to get the "release" from Grand Rapids, how would Grand Rapids
know that? Is there an originating entity indicated in the (presumably)
computerized flight strips?

Did I confuse Grand Rapids in my initial call? After they gave me the
altimeter setting, was I too anxious? Do you think they would have come back
with instructions? Do you still call it a release? I have always thought of
it as a release from the airport. Is it really a release into the IFR system
whether from the surface or not?

-------------------------------
Travis
Lake N3094P
PWK