I went to Chicago.

D. and I took our vacation to Chicago! During a major midwestern heat wave!

I know it's summer, I know it's always hot, but whaah whaah whaah it was triple-digit hot in the city. Even the breeze from Lake Michigan was like a hair dryer blowing in my mouth. 

I love the Architectural tour. I couldn't name one architect now even though I've been on the tour three times. I mostly just gaze around and take pictures. The tour guide's schpiel goes in one ear and out the other.  Just relaxing.

Seeing Impressionists at the Art Institute is such a Chicago thing to do. What a great museum and not too overwhelming.  As a matter of fact, we did a few museums, picked up some cult-chuh. Even the one at the Federal Reserve, just to take refuge from the hotness.

Taking D. to a site from the Blues Brothers movie -- the Cook County Courthouse -- did not disappoint. He was so excited. The employees at the courthouse acted as if we were the first tourists to ever want to take photos at the office of the tax assessor of Cook County, though.  Hmm.

Beluga whales and jellyfish at the Aquarium were very soothing. The multitudes of children were not. There's a line that small humans cross over from being cute and funny to being hellions, especially in large numbers.

Ditka's surf -n- turf with a Hendricks and tonic, accompanied by a big slice of cucumber, was perfect.

Going up to the 95th floor of the Hancock Center at sunset, as advised by our Brazilian cab driver, was worth it. The best view was from the ladies' room where all the French tourist girls were taking tons of pictures. So Salty D. missed the best view.


Meli was a recommendation that I'm glad we followed, and the French toast and fresh-squeezed juice were nectar. We got to ride the El to the Merchandise Mart stop.

 

Big Star: For some reason this is called, by some, a "hipster hangout." I don't mind hipsters, they entertain me. But I was annoyed here because I simply find hanging out in hot loud crowded bars to be annoying (translated: I'M OLD.) Well, the tacos al pastor and guacamole were really, really good but the tequila did me in. D. informed me he could have stayed there drinking cans of Olympia all night.

Other people seemed to weather the weather just fine, but for me, even Garrett popcorn didn't taste that good, I was so hot. 

All I wanted to eat was fruit, hot dogs, and gin with cucumbers. Nothing wrong with that.

Oh, then the sugar on top of the vacation was the visit with old friends up in the Milwaukee area. Stay gold.

Comments

[Beth]

I really want a gin with cucumber now. And it's 7:00am. I am amazed at how much you did in a few short days - you must be exhausted. ;)

[blaugra]

We did cram a lot into our visit and managed to take a siesta before dinner each day. I love siestas.