Last weekend I got to visit Chicago to attend Optometry's Meeting. I had a wonderful time exploring the city with Sam, and can't wait to go back again someday. Chicago is my new favorite big city! Here are all the stops around the town!
I took the Chicago metro, the "El" downtown to the hotel and met Sam around 8:30 for breakfast. After that we were off to see the city! First stop was the Cloud Gate or more commonly referred to as the "Bean," at Millenium Park. The sculpture was inspired by liquid nitrogen...pretty neat for all you science nerds out there.
It felt like we were taking pictures in a Carnival Funhouse of Mirrors!
My favorite...we look soo small against Chicago!
Fountain at Millenium Park
The Art Institute Gardens
This was Sam's Favorite building, the Carbide and Carbon Building. Word on the street is that it was modeled to look like a bottle of champagne, and built during prohibition--ironic!
On our first day- we got caught in a rainstorm! We had a nice little time sitting on this window sill and watching the storm pass!
Then we headed to Navy Pier, and took this picture along the beach of Lake Michigan (still raining...hence my squinty eyes!)
We hung out inside Navy Pier for a while.
And then boarded a river boat for an architectural cruise of Chicago! Blue fits us don't ya think?!
The architectural cruise was awesome, Sam and I both agreed that our heads were spinning from everything we learned!
The Wrigley Building
The Twin Round Buildings
Havin' a grand old time:)
The Civic Opera Building alongside our guide Kevin with Shoreline cruises. This guy was ah.mah.zing. Seriously, if you are in Chicago check him out, you won't be disappointed!
After our cruise, we headed to Gino's East Pizzeria for some deep dish pizza, where interestingly they put the sauce on top!
Which was then topped off by a delicious cupcake from Sprinkles off the Magnificent Mile.
Later that night we headed to the Student Bowl, in which one optometry student from each of the schools is chosen to compete against the other schools. We had a construction theme this year!
Sam also took me for a date atop the John Hancock Building on the 95th floor's Signature Room. It had a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the city, and we even got to watch a lightening storm roll in. The company and dessert were great too:)
The view was most spectacular from the woman's bathroom, as shown below. Poor Sam didn't get to see it:(
Day 2: Started at the SkyDeck atop the Sears/Willis Tower, only a short 1353 ft above the ground! We had to take a series of different elevators to get up to the top.
And although you probably can't see it here, I was freaking out! Sam is the only reason I made it onto the ledge...I don't like heights apparently!
One of the crowded elevators.
Glad to be back on solid ground I say!
We get our kicks on Route 66!
The Art Institute of Chicago
We finally made it back to Grant Wood's American Gothic Painting. Full circle after our trip last spring passing through Eldon, Iowa. The painting actually depicts the farmer and his spinster daughter...cool to us nonetheless:)
The Art institute had some amazing pieces... here are some of my favorites!
"Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper
"The Child's Bath" by Mary Cassatt
Sam in the Chicago Exchange!
Not sure what this was called, but I liked the colors:)
Ties!
"The Old Guitarist"- Pablo Picasso
"Bedroom in Arles"- Vincent VanGogh
Self Portrait- Vincent VanGogh
Sam being tough:) hahaha
American Dogs! Sam's had macaroni and cheese with bacon on it.
I opted for the Chicago Dog, topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions; green sweet pickle relish; a dill pickle spear; tomato wedges; pickled peppers; and a dash of celery salt. HEARTBURN CITY!!
The Buckingham Fountain by Lake Michigan
The Presidential Party was at the Chicago Field Museum
It was a great night, with lots of food and exhibits:)
Lovely friends!
Sue, the Field Museum's very own T-Rex!
Overall, a great trip!
And here's one for the road:
