Day FOUR!!

Saturday was a beautiful day in Chicago. I think it was the hottest day we were there.. a whole 78 degrees =). We left a little later than normal and headed to Wrigley Field. Unfortunately, there were no Cubs games while we were there because they were out of town but we did get to see the field.

The famous Harry Carey: "If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself? I know I would."

Part of the field

We then headed to Lincoln Park. It is such a beautiful area and there were tons of people out running and biking enjoying the weather. Jason and I hung out at the water front and relaxed and people watched. I think I could do that everyday. It was so pretty.

Isn't that gorgeous?

Hanging out the lake front

We headed back towards downtown and had lunch, and then we decided that we were going to go get coffee at a place that my best friend, Jacque, recommended to us. She used to live here when she was doing mission year and told us that we MUST go to this coffee place because it had the best coffee. We had gotten information from one of our other friends that we should go during the day because it wasn't in a great part of town and we might witness a drug deal otherwise (seriously). So we got on the El to go and experience this great cup of coffee. Unfortunately, one stop before we were to get off to go to the coffee place the El train we were on started smoking and it smelled like something was burning underneath it. Everyone got off and the train went express to the last stop. So since we were in an unfamiliar place and had no clue how to get to the coffee shop from this stop we decided to cut our losses and head back. Sorry Jacque, we hope to be able to have the best cup of coffee next time!!

On our way to get coffee..or so we thought

We then headed to Navy Pier to take a Architecture Cruise on the Chicago River and hang out at Navy Pier a little more before the crowds got too crazy that night. I had my first experience with a real Chicago hot dog. I don't eat hot dogs - at all. I think they are gross, but I felt I needed to experience the famous Chicago dog. I held down my ever increasing gag reflex as the hot dog came closer to my mouth and was able to take a bite of it. I took one bite and gave the rest to Jason. It was good but I just couldn't get over that it was a hot dog - I mean do you know what those things are made from? Yuck! But I am glad that I got to experience and can now check it off my list forever.

On the anchor at Navy Pier

About to take my first bite of a Chicago dog

Only 3,000 something miles away from the beautiful place that is London

We went on an architecture cruise on the Chicago River and it was so much fun. They talked about the buildings (obviously) and gave a lot of history about Chicago. I learned a lot of interesting facts. Interesting fact #1: The lady who was blamed for the Chicago fire of 1871 by her cow kicking over a lantern when she went to milk the cow at 8:30 at night was a fabricated story. Apparantly years later, two journalists admitted to making the story up to create a scapegoat. The fire did start in her barn but the reasons are unknown. Interesting fact #2: There is a blinking tower in the place where her house stood and right next door is the Firefighting academy school - oh the irony.

Interesting fact # 3: The Wrigley building clock tower was modeled after the tower in Sevilla, Spain - which I have seen.

Interesting fact #4: This bridge is the only place in the world where all forms of transportation are used and intersect each other

Interesting fact #5: This building was constructed over what was a building that held the Republican Convention in 1860 where President Lincoln was nominated for the Republican candidate.

Interesting fact #6: In the Batman movie where Bruce throws a party for his friends, this is where they filmed it.

Interesting fact #7: Being in a beautiful city with your wonderful husband is worth every penny

We then went and ate dinner at this cute little restaurant on the Chicago River. We walked by the Vietnam Memorial that Chicago has and then headed back to the hotel. It was a great last full day in the Windy City!!

Day 3 in the windy city

Day 3 was one of the best days. We left our hotel after a great night sleep and headed towards the Science and Industry Museum. And this, my friends, is why it was a great day:

THE HARRY POTTER EXHIBIT!!!! It was in Chicago until the end of September and we were lucky enough to be there when it was there. We went in and bought our tickets and waited for our time to enter the wonderful world of magic. Before we entered the exhibit, there was a lady (with a British accent) who quizzed the group on Harry Potter knowledge. She asked great questions such as: names of the House ghosts, people who have played seeker in all the books, and names of the founders of Hogwarts. Then once we were allowed to go into the exhibit we stopped around a guy (also with a British accent) with robes and people were picked from the group to have the sorting hat placed on their heads and sorted into a house. After that, we entered the large exhibit area. It had so many props, costumes, and little facts about the makings of the movies. It was amazing. We stopped at the gift shop on the way out and I bought a coffee mug that shows the maurader's map when you have a hot drink in it and then disappears as you drink it. I know - be jealous. I wasn't allowed to take pictures in there but there was a prop in the entrance of the museum that I took a picture of.

The car from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!!

We looked around the Science and Industry Museum afterwards. They had a really interesting exhibit of the U-Boat 505 and about the people who captured it during World War II. They even had the real U- Boat 505 in the museum ( I kid you not)

Jason and I played on a fake trolley and we went to an exhibit about DNA. Oh the double helix - you had me at cytosine. Is it sad that I love genetics? Nevermind, don't answer that.

Clang Clang went the trolley Ding Ding went the bell - name the movie!!!

After the museum, we headed to the Art Institute of Chicago. It was so awesome. They had artists such as Georgia O' Keefe (love!) Picasso (love!), Monet (love!) and Van Gogh. I was allowed to take pictures of the various paintings but for fear that I might get in trouble for posting them publicly, I will keep them for my own eyes.

We stopped at Caribou Coffee for something to drink and then walked across the street to Milennium Park. They have great sculptures, a garden, and an area for concerts. We need more parks like this here.

This is a sculpture called the Cloud Gate but all the locals call it "the bean".

The view underneath "the bean"

Our self portrait in the reflection

I was inspired by all the wonderful art we had seen at the Art Institute and decided to take a picture of the wonderful coffee that is Caribou. Sadly there are no franchises here in Dallas. Isn't it pretty =) In the background is the area that they have outdoor concerts.

There was a fountain area in the front of the park that every 5 minutes or so would become a face that spouted water from its mouth. There were tons of little kids running around in the water and some even sat underneath the waterfall of the mouth. I tried to stick my feet in the water and it was COLD!! I don't know how they were doing it.

The kids playing in the water

We then headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for some food. It was fun to walk around and see all the memorabilia at the restaurant and the food was good too.

Johnny Cash's suit

Madonna outfit

After dinner, we headed over to Grant Park to see Buckingham fountain. Every hour on the hour the fountain spouts water from its top and at night it is lit up with different color nights. And its huge.

Buckingham Fountain

The 2o foot spout of water that goes on the hour

Pretty lights...

As we were leaving the fountain area, we came across some people gathered around some musicians playing some music. They were really good. We stayed and watched them a bit and then after they played a song, a guy came up and started talking. He started talking about Jesus and sharing the gospel with the people standing around listening to the music. It was really awesome. After he talked, there were also people in the audience that were there with the group talking to people about what they guy had just said. We actually got to talk to some of the members of the group (after they realized we were already believers). It was really neat to see people sharing the gospel especially in a place like Chicago. It gave me great encouragement.

We headed back to the hotel after the fountain and went and spent some time in the hot tub. My aching feet and body appreciated that so much!!! It was great ending to a great day!

No one puts baby in the corner

I really will be back later to talk about Day 3 of Chicago but I wanted to take a moment of silence for Patrick Swayze. I am so sad to hear about his passing. He was such a talented actor and I loved that he was married to his wife for over 35 years and they looked very much in love. The world will miss him but he will live on in his movies. Ghost, Dirty Dancing, North and South...we will miss you Patrick.

Day #2!!!

This is going to be a long post with tons of pics!! But I'm not going to apologize =). 

Jason and I got up and had a yummy breakfast and headed off to the Sears Tower. The weather was perfect for it. We were lucky that we did it that day too because the next two days were foggy. When we got there,  we climbed into an elevator with literally 20 people in it (can someone say claustrophobia?) and we went up 103 floors to the top. My ears probably popped like 10 times. We got to the top and the view was awesome. You could see for miles and miles. I became picture happy. 

The city and Lake Michigan

We went to the now famous all glass cases that allows you to see all around even underneath you. They opened them up in July and  have three of them. I was really freaked out to get on them but nonetheless, I stepped on them so I could get my pictures. I got off quickly because kids were jumping on them - seriously!! Jason had a lot of fun at this portion of the tower. He laid down on it and wanted to do push ups on them. He's crazy =). 

In the glass cases

The view below our feet

"Sleeping"

After the great view at the Sears Tower, we left to go to the Shedd Aquarium. I love aquariums! I always wanted to be one of those people that swam in the pool with the dolphins and whales and make them do tricks when I was young.  But then I realized I had to swim so that dream went out the window. It was so much fun!!

In front of the Aquarium 

This little thing and making a whole bunch of noise; when she saw the camera she stopped and looked at us like she was posing - how cute!

My favorite - the penguins!!!

This is Nickel. She was hit by a motorboat in Florida and therefore will always swim with her bottom up. How sad!!

After the aquarium, we headed right across to the Field Museum. It was pretty interesting. Jason will say it was the most boring part of the trip =) but it was alright. They have the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. And a pretty cool dinosaur exhibit. I liked it but I'm a huge nerd. We then headed back towards the hotel to eat but before we ate I had to take a picture of where Route 66 begins/ends at the corner of Michigan and Jackson street because it goes through my home town!! A little part of home was with me on the trip. 

We ate dinner at Giodarno's, a Chicago pizza place. It was so good. This one had cheese inside the crust. Mmm, so good. We then headed back to the hotel and watched the rest of the Chicago Bears game. Well I watched the rest of it, Jason fell asleep. Ha! And the Bears won! I hope they have a great season. 

About to take his first bite of Chicago pizza

Sorry this was so long if someone is still reading this - I will try to be better for Day 3, but no promises. 

CHICAGO!!!!!

I LOVE CHICAGO!! What is not to love?! It has a lake, the weather is awesome, and the food is great!! By the third day there, I was ready to have our dog shipped to us and Jason and I would just stay there permanently =).  I highly recommend everyone should go see the Windy City at some point in their lifetime. You won't be disappointed. I feel like a part of the city has come home with me. 

So what did we do while we were there? Well I plan on giving a detailed account - don't worry. That way when you plan your trip to Chicago (because trust me - you are going to want to go) you can take tips from us!!

Day #1

Jason and I arrived at Chicago O'Hare airport around noon and took the El to our hotel downtown. We stayed at the Hampton Inn. I definitely recommend it.  It was reasonably priced and we had a yummy continental breakfast each morning before we went sight seeing. However, it was next to a fire station so you do hear sirens at all hours but we live near a fire station at home so it didn't bother us. We checked in and headed towards the Magnificent Mile. The Magnificent Mile is a mile of shops on Michigan Avenue and it was only 3 blocks from the hotel (bonus!!!) It has a ton of shops - Apple, Banana Republic, Borders, Crate and Barrel, Nike Town - the list goes on and on. Shoppers paradise!! When we got to Michigan Avenue, we stopped at the Chicago Tribune building. The guy who built this place wanted to place stones from various places from all over the world on his building. I think there are over 100 stones from all over the world on the bottom half of the building. And for those Batman fans (me!) out there, the Batcave scenes were filmed in the basement of the tower.

A really cool quote in the front of the building

Oh London - how I miss you!!

In front of the Alamo stone!!

I took many more pics of stones but I will spare you from them =) We shopped to our hearts content and then headed to Navy Pier! Oh but here is pic of the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue - one of the only buildings to survive the Great Fire of Chicago of 1871.

Navy Pier:

Navy Pier was a really great place to go. It had a ferris wheel and putt putt golf course, tons of restaurants and food stands, sight seeing cruises, and a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Plus from Memorial Day to Labor Day, they have fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday nights. We spent the rest of the night at Navy Pier enjoying the sights and cool weather. 

On Navy Pier - isn't it so pretty?

We decided to go on a firework cruise and watch the fireworks from the lake. You could see the fireworks really well from the boat and we got a great view of the city skyline at night. 

Some of the best fireworks I've ever seen

On our way back to the pier - it was cold on the boat - and windy!!

It was a great first day in Chicago! Stay tuned for Day #2 !!!