After calling off our plans to return to the UK, but still in desperate need of a week off, we decided to go to Chicago, something we'd been talking about for a long time, but, never made the plans for. We cashed in some frequent flyer miles to pay for our flight. Unfortunately, this meant we had to leave at six in the morning and spend five hours laid over in Houston! Making it all the more tough, this was our first extended time away from our new baby Xander. We hoped he'd remember us.

Our first view of the bustling city.

Beautiful statue along the avenue.

Scott at the Buckingham Fountain.

After our visit to the park, we headed to the nearby train station and took a ride to south Chicago to explore the Museum of Science and Industry. Before exploring the museum, however, we took a walk around the neighborhood surrounding the University of Chicago. The area was very beautiful with lots of trees and parks and had many older, but, well established homes. And the historic, detailed architecture of the campus rivaled anything on the East Coast. We had lunch at the museum and spent the remaining afternoon at the museum exploring all the many exhibits, including (happily for Scott) an exposition of model trains which featured a replica of downtown Chicago.

We took the train back to downtown and went over to the observation deck at the Sears Tower. Going on a Sunday afternoon is apparently the time to go because we waited less than fifteen minutes to take the elevator up (it looked like at other times the line might rival any at Disneyland). Erich, of course, was a bit apprehensive stepping out of the elevator. The view of the city, however, was amazing. Looking southeast, you could mark the shoreline of Lake Michigan stretching into Indiana and Michigan itself. Looking north, you could the density of downtown and to the east, the beautiful blue of the lake.

It doesn't looks as tall from the street!

Our second full day started out as a nice sunny day as we headed up through downtown (after stopping for McDonald's & Dunkin Donuts again for breakfast). Our goal was to walk up north of downtown to view some of the architecture of the older Chicago residential neighborhoods then return via the Magnificent Mile. As we walked, we saw some of the most diverse and beautiful buildings and were having such a good time, we thought we would try to take an excursion to Boystown, the gay area. We didn't quite realize though how truly far away it was. After walking for what seemed like an hour out of our way without being any closer, we decided to give up and walk back towards downtown. A good thing we did. As we made it to Lincoln Park this storm literally came up from no where and just pounded us with sheets of rain. People were running for cover and my puny umbrella was not match for the deluge. Luckily we found a pedestrian bridge to hide under.

Lighthouse on stormy Lake Michigan

We waited for the rain to relent for about a 45 minutes before we could venture out from undercover. We explored the park which featured a free (!) zoo and sprawling walking paths. For all the density Chicago has, it's just amazing how green it is. The weather stayed threatening with the occasional sprinkle as we marched down the Magnificient Mile on Michigan Avenue and out along Navy Pier. Upon recommendation of my friend Kelly, we stopped for a late lunch at Portillo's for the best hot dogs and roast beef sandwiches around!! After the sun set, I dragged Erich up to our second high rise view of the city at the John Hancock Building. The view of the city at night from up there was made even more beautiful by the lightening storm flashing in the distance. For dinner, we endulged in some amazing pizza at Pizzeria Duo before being caught in a second monsoon downpour that forced us to take the subway back to our hotel.

A momentary break in the storm

It took me an hour to get this lightning bolt!

The oddly beautiful Cloud Gate in Millenium Park

The city in the afternoon from the Charles River

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