The reason I’m behind on visiting everyone’s blogs is because Hubby and I traveled to Chicago on Thursday and returned yesterday. It was my first time there, but he’d been once before on business. With beautiful weather, we crammed in a lot over a few days with a food tour, an architecture boat tour on the river, Navy Pier, Chicago Gangsters and Ghost Tour, Willis Tower, Millenium Park, and several good restaurants. According to Hubby’s FitBit, we walked a little over thirty miles. Once I heard that, it lessened the guilt I felt over that huge scoop of peanut butter chocolate ice cream at Kilwins.
The first picture is the ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Plenty to do there with restaurants, rides, and shopping, with lots of lunch, dinner, and tour cruises leaving from the docks. The River Walk there is full of people biking, walking, or just enjoying the views. We stayed at The Palmer House, originally built in 1871, burned to the ground in the Great Chicago Fire two weeks after opening, then rebuilt from 1923-1925. It’s a beautiful hotel – the middle picture is the lobby, and that’s hubby with his back turned – and ideally located. We were only a block from Millenium Park, home of The Bean (also known as Cloud Gate). It was full of energy with kids running through fountains and live concerts.
The first picture in the bottom row was taken right before our food tour. Interesting fact – the tour guide dated a guy in college with Hubby’s same name, and she wondered if it would be him when we showed up. Weird.
The last two pics are from the top of Willis Tower. I’m a huge fan of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, so I loved seeing that sign and standing where Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane did during the movie. So here’s my tragic story. Hubby and I waited in line to stand in the clear observation boxes at the top of the building – like a window all the way around and beneath your feet where you can see from the 108th floor down to the ground. He later admitted he’d worried the night before about whether he’d be able to do it, and his legs trembled in the elevator to the top at the thought of stepping inside the box. Me? My claustrophobic self was worried about being packed in an elevator with so many people. While standing in line, we were entertained by other visitors posing in the four boxes and a few who wouldn’t get inside. Kids were jumping around without a second thought. Our turn came and we walked to our assigned box and watched the family ahead of us finishing up their pictures (the time limit was a minute). They left, Hubby stepped in with little hesitation – and to my horror, I couldn’t.
Failing to step into that observation box never occurred to me. I stood inside the window panes in the other sections on that floor overlooking the city with no problem at all. I’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building, bungee jumped, and I ride roller coasters. Heights have never really been an issue for me. During our minute time limit, I tried several times to make myself step in and couldn’t. And I was so disappointed. Part of my personal philosophy is to always have a backup plan, and if I’d had any indication I’d needed one, I would have just closed my eyes and stepped inside. Needless to say, part of my soul is crushed. We plan to visit Chicago again, and I will get in that observation window for the whole time limit one way or another!
To all my American friends, Happy Fourth of July!
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Sometimes we just can’t do something and we have to accept it. A good experience for when you need to write about a character who can’t push themselves to do something. Chicago looks like a fun city and I would love to visit one day.
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That’s a good point, Darlene – I sure have personal experience to draw from now!
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I’m glad you had such a nice time in Chicago. It’s a beautiful city.
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It sure is, Kristy. If I was a young professional I’d sure consider living downtown. So much to do! We’re definitely planning on visiting again.
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If I was younger, I would feel the same way. I should have moved there right when we got married. The work situation was what kept us away though. We’re about 70-80 miles south of there.
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Wow that’s beautiful, so glad you had a good time 💜
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The waterfront is just gorgeous, Caro. We enjoyed learning more about the architecture and history of the river on the tour.
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Sounds lovely, love a getaway 💜
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Looks like a fun trip minus the standing on the observation platform. Sometimes we just have to honor what our body wants.
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My body made it very clear what it didn’t want that day, Denise 😆 I’m determined to conquer that fear on the next visit. Thanks for visiting!
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Thank you for sharing your trip with us! I’m not sure I could have stepped out either, Teri. But kudos to your hubby for doing it!
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He did a similar one in Vietnam, but it wasn’t nearly that high, Jan. We had a wonderful time and I’d highly recommend visiting Chicago if you get a chance.
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Sounds like a great trip. I lived off and on in the Chicago area for eight years. I loved the city and all it had to offer. Sorry about the box. Maybe next time.
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We had a fabulous time, John. There’s such a great energy there and so much to do. We’re hoping to catch some shows the next time we visit. I’ll conquer that box yet.
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Sad about the shooter yesterday. The box will fall.
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Looks like you had amazing time in Chicago. Those pictures are great and That hotel looks beautiful.
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Entering that hotel was like taking a step back in time, Yesha. It was beautiful, and the architectural details were stunning.
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I’m glad you got a getaway, Teri. Happy Fourth. Big hugs.
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Hope you had a wonderful 4th, Teagan! On the way to your blog to catch up now.
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Well I don’t think I would have had the courage to step inside of it either!
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I never thought it would be a problem for me, Sophie – not until the moment my foot wouldn’t cross the threshold. You should have seen the little kids bouncing around in there like it was nothing, lol.
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It’s good that you left yesterday. Today has been a very bad day in Chicago. So sad! But we’ve been to Chicago and really enjoyed ourselves. Of course, my husband the structural engineer had to do a self guided architectural tour and loved it. Hope you are having a wonderful 4th!
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We saw the headlines last night, Tessa – just horrifying and so sad. I would have been clueless on a self-guided tour, but I bet he picked up on a lot of things not mentioned on our tour. So many beautiful buildings there!
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I’ve never been there either. It looks like you had a wonderful, fun trip. Many of us take blogging breaks. I’m glad your break was eventful, Teri!
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We’re relatively close – about six hours – but have never visited. We were planning a trip with friends right before the pandemic hit, so I’m glad we finally made it, Miriam. Hope you get a chance to visit sometime!
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30 miles! That’s a lot of walking! Glad you had so much fun, Teri, and got to see lots of the city. I was there twice on business and spent most of the time in office buildings. It looks like a great place to vacation too. Welcome home.
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My feet are still recovering, Diana, lol. I really put some miles on those tennis shoes! Hope you get a chance to visit Chicago for pleasure. It has a lot to offer.
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I’m not much of a city girl, but if I head up that direction, I know I’d enjoy a visit. Soak those feet, Teri. Lol. Welcome home.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip. I love the photos. I have a horrible fear of heights so I’m not sure I would have even gone to the top at all.
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The views were stunning, Wendy, and we had a really clear day to see even more. I walked right up to those windows and looked out, but just couldn’t make myself walk into that observation window for some reason. I’m determined to do it the next visit!
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Sounds like you had a great time either way. I kind of need to research Chicago. Way in the future, I can see a road trip for Lizzie and the Pythons.
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Oooohhh – I’m envisioning speakeasies and jazz clubs for Lizzie. That would be a great setting for that series.
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Maybe the hat knows some places, but they’re all closed now??? It involves a talent competition, but it’s really a facade to get someone else to pay the housing bill for the band while they take on weekend gigs. Oh, and that part about the end of the world.
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I’m liking this whole idea!
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HI Teri, this sounds like a really great trip. Chicago is a very famous city with lots to do and see.
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Sure is, Robbie, and we only saw a small fraction of it.
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It looks like you had a great time! I’ve been to Chicago a few times. I love the bean! haha. I was there before they had changed the name to Willis Tower though! I’m sure you can do it next time!!
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My feet are just starting to feel normal again, Leslie, lol. We had such fun, and that bean was wild. Lots of people enjoying that park also. Thanks for the vote of confidence!
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Yes, a lot of walking! Haha. I’m glad you had fun and yes.. always so busy!!
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The Bean!!! Chicago is THE place, for sure. So glad you got to bop around there for a bit. I still have family that lives up around there. (grew up about 45 minutes away from the city proper. My parents and grandparents lived there for many years) I’m glad you had a groovy time. There’s so much to do – you kind of have to pick and choose. 🙂
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How have I missed your comment for so long, Sue? The Bean was wild! I could have hung out there even longer. You’re right about so many things to do. We’ll go again and catch all the things we didn’t have time for. Such a fun place!
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No worries. LOL. I love the Bean! (and I’ve only seen it once or twice in person)
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That’s a lot of steps! And I’m glad you had a good time.
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It didn’t feel like it at the time, but we really put some mileage on our shoes, Tori!
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