Chicago

(The double decker bus)

(New outdoor ampitheater)

("The Bean")

(The Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick's Day)

(Trump Tower)
Chad and I enjoyed a wonderful 'quick' trip to Chicago as our winter getaway. While it wasn't a beach, and Chad had a conference on Monday and part of Tuesday morning, we still really enjoyed the time away. We arrived in Chicago Saturday evening (13th) which was Chicago's St. Pat's celebration...and how lucky were we that there was an Irish bar right next to our hotel??!!!! We definitely missed one heck of a party because by 9 pm, almost everyone was gone from the bar but a huge mess was left behind. But, I guess if you start at 8 am, you're bound to be done a little earlier than we usually do here in E'burg.

Sunday we decided we would ride the double decker bus around the city so we could see some things we normally wouldn't get to see. SOOOOOOOOOO much fun - we even rode on the top in the cold! I'd recommend it to anyone heading to Chicago. Of course, we had to stop at Millenium Park to see the last day of the iceskating rink, "The Bean" art, the new ampitheater for the Chicago orchestra, and a quick stop for some Chicago style pizza!! Next we saw the Sears tower which now has a viewing deck that is all glass and protrudes from the side of the building...very cool, but I was actually too scared to try it!!! It was very cool though to learn the history of the city and the mob background involved.

I spent the day Monday walking close to 7 miles up and down Michigan Avenue, then over to State Street. It was a gorgeous day though so it was wonderful to be out and about. While walking the block and a half from my hotel to Michigan Ave, I passed a bunch of trailers and security guards, only to find out that a movie was being shot on that location so that was really cool. The security guard said it was mostly up and coming actors but I saw such names as Julianna, Gabriel, Katherine, and Michael...all anmes in which you could add a current actors last name to, so who knows!!! The night was topped off with a walk on Navy Pier (which is pretty boring during the winter but still beautiful) and supper there as well. It was a great ending to a great long weekend and it was even more wonderful to get back home to the kiddos.