Aug 9th - Chicago

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Today we went to Chicago. We rode the bike and scooter to the train station. 

We caught the train from Crystal Lake to Chicago. 

On the train I had found a "groupon" deal for cirque de soleil and saw the theatre wasn't far from the station, so we decided to walk 40 minutes to get to the theatre and make sure we could use the deal. When we got off the train, I was hungry, AS USUAL, and what was right there? 

Garrett's famous popcorn found only in Chicago (until I learned later they recently opened a few in NYC, anybody want to go to the city with me when I get back? It's SOOOOO delicious!)

We bought a small bag, which was huge and between the both of us, we demolished it on the walk to the United Center to buy tickets to the show. 

It was a long, HOT walk to the theatre and you know what happens when we get there? Yep! It's closed. We walk all around the place to see if we can ask anyone, but there was no-one to be found. 

We did see the tents that had the name all over them, so I knew we were in the right spot.

What could possibly be going on? Is this yet another sick joke?

We took a cab to the Navy Pier. It's just like South Street Seaport. It's located along Lake Michgan. The water was so clear and inviting on the: lovely to me, disgustingly hot to Fred day. 

This is when I decided to call cirque de soleil and find out about tickets. As you've already guessed, we walked all the way to the theatre but there is no show on Tuesday. So we stayed at the pier and checked out the sights.

This is a statue of Captain Ahab

This the an anchor off the USS Michigan

Look at how nice the water is!

I had to take another picture.

We decided the best way to see all the sights is to take a "hop on hop off" tour bus. 

We sat inside because it was air conditioned for Fred, so the next few pics will be taken through the window and may not be so clear. 

An old building

A statue of Marilyn Monroe

The Chicago Water Tower is the city’s most familiar and treasured landmark. Constructed between 1867 and 1869, it was created for Chicago’s municipal water system, and originally housed a 135 foot iron standpipe used to regulate water pressure. It gained special significance as one of the few buildings to survive the destructive path of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Both the Water Tower and Pumping Station to the east were designed by William W. Boyington, one of Chicago’s most prolific architects of the mid-nineteenth century.

The John Hancock Center. It was the tallest building in Chicago in the 1960's. The photo hardly fits in the blog!

A frog's butt on the top of Rainforest Cafe

Guitar on top of the Hard Rock Cafe

Chicago has the most movable bridges of all the cities in the US. During the boating season between April and November the bridges will accommodate over 52,000 boats and will open over 30,000 times. Here we are driving over one of them.

Sears Tower, now known as the Willis Tower 

The rest of the Willis Tower

 We decided to get off at Millenium Park and check out the sights

 This is the "Cloud Gate" Statue. It is nicknamed "the bean" because of it's shape. It is made up of stainless steel plates welded together, highly polished with no visible seams. The surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline. Can you find us in the picture?

How about now smarty pants?

Do you see us in the reflection?

These are two towers with as you can see a picture, which changes every 10-15 minutes and water running out of the towers. The designer meant for this to be watched and enjoyed from a distance. Instead, the kids couldn't help themselves and made it a water playing ground. 

After the Millenium Park we got on a bus with no air conditioning, so I was able to take some clear pictures. That is the John Hancock Center in the back with the big antennas

A Picaso statue

Another Picaso statue

Now it was dinner time! We decided to eat at Lou Malnati's. It's known as one of the best pizza places in Chicago. It does for Chicago what Lombardi's does for NYC!

If you ever go to Chicago, you have to go here. Yes that's an order. :-)

The pizza is made from scratch using the "finest ingredients" Every year they go to California and to stock up on hand selected vine ripe tomatoes for their sauce. 

The pizza takes 30-40 minutes to be served after ordering so we started with the Malnati Salad. It was absolutely delicious!

Finally the pizza was served. We each chose a type to share.

My pick on the left was "The Lou" and Fred's pick on the right was "The Malnati Chicago Classic"

I always thought deep dish chicago pizza was thick sicilian crust. NOT the case. It is more of a pastry crust, crunchy and delish!!! 

Then we decided to catch a showing of the Blue Man Group at the Briar Street Theatre

It was a great show!

Then we caught the 10:30pm train back to Crystal Lake. We arrived at 11:56pm, which was perfect because our parking spot expired at 11:59pm. 

Another long day, but so great!!!