Chicago

A modicum of miles

But man crouches and blushes,
Absconds and conceals;
He creepeth and peepeth,
He palters and steals;
Infirm, melancholy,
Jealous glancing around,
An oaf, an accomplice,
He poisons the ground.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

With tearful goodbyes, we leave Janet and Eric's continuing our journey. Not FIVE MINUTES passes before I see one of these.


Unbelievable caffeine fiends.

While today is intended to be a short(er) trip, Illinois highway system has other plans.


This is a common sight along our way


This too is a common sight. Our 2-3 hour trip has become more like 3-4.


Eventually the traffic clears and we catch out first glimpse of the city. Traffic in the city is surprisingly light and the view is stunning. We find a place to park and head out to a de-peckish zone as we are all feeling peckish.


Mommy and Nelly are happy that lunch is cooking. And cook it does. We wait quite a while for our simple sandwiches and soups, a wait intensified by our looming bike tour appointment. I however have found the solution.


MMM I love minestrone! Our food does eventually arrive and we proceed to destroy it.


Nell is SO GROSSED OUT. Despite this, food is eaten and we get to the tour start with plenty of time to spare. We've been on a couple of these so we know the drill - get a bike, follow the leader, listen to him chit chat.


Mom's excited about our adventure!


Our excitement takes a toll a few minutes later as we listen to our guides incessant banter. Still, the city is beautiful and the bikes are a great way to enjoy it.


But I don't like Lincoln.


Smug smug smug.


Happy happy smug.


Mom face.


Stuck in the 80's.


The beach is teeming with people. The water must be cold as very few people are in it.


Three hours later and ALL I GET IS THIS PHOTOGRAPH HURR HURR HURR! The tour ends and we head back to the car.


UH OH. Did someone to put something away? Nevertheless, we press on to our hotel, The James.


We are quite impressed with the decor of the rooms.


Nell is quite impressed with the Pepto Bismal.


We shower and change in preparation for our first solitary Chicago adventure. Our first stop is a little tapas bar right on the road.


Mmm, tapa tapa tapa. We have to wait quite a while as our server was less then enthusiastic about serving us. We make our way to our dinner destination, Blue 13.


Ah, they were tempted, but I resisted. Our dinner at Blue 13 is stunning, just as Yelp said it would be.


We start off with lobster pizza and pulpo.


One mighty fine looking pork chop.


And top it off with donuts and coffee. Our server is genuine and certainly helped us choose the right meals for our dinner. It is finally dark once we leave the establishment; apparently in the Midwest this means time to sleep, so off I go.