Chicago

5 min readJul 28, 2017

July 27

Today we used about 1/4 of a tank, and wow, what a rush saving money and gas is! Our travel this morning was a mere two hours from Madison to Chicago O’Hare to pick up the brother. Along the way we saw a helicopter watering its crops (okay, fine, it was probably releasing pesticides but I’d like to think the driver was having fun with their chores). Speaking of aircrafts, did you know the airplanes at that airport they drive the planes right over you on the runway?? I certainly didn’t. And Mom finished her postcards. Really a thrilling morning.

Luckily, we were able to top that morning with an awesome afternoon. First we stopped by the check out Holy Name Cathedral, because I like churches and looking at stained glass. What an impressive organ!

Then, we made out way to Millennium Park and Grant Park. The clouds went away and gave us really a beautiful afternoon with only a smidge of sunburn. We walked through the parks and got to see: The Cloud Gate, Jaypritzer Pavilion, Crown Fountain, Maggie Daly Park, and Buckingham Fountain.

Sculpture in Millennium park; view of the city in the fog

Crown Fountion; Lurie Garden in Millennium Park

Extending beyond the parks that we followed Lakeside Dr all the way down to Navy Pier (complete with a ferris wheel #classic) and many, many restaurants. And a special treat was finding the beach! Ohio Street beach to be exact. I had no idea that place existed and it was about 1,000 times warmer than Glacier so I was a happy Catherine indeed.

Sunlight behind the city; Buckingham Fountain; city landscape

If your next question is did we get deep dish pizza then the answer is yes, obviously. And if your follow-up question is wait Catherine don’t you not like pizza then the answer is yes, I am the best daugher/sister for waiting in line at Lou Malnittis. And if your next question will then be how was the deep dish choc chip cookie dessert the correct answer is worth it.

Thaddeus trying deep dish pizza; Ship at the Navy Pier

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Live!!!What made this day really and truly amazing was on the way back from dinner we inadvertently walked through the live show of Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me at the Pavilion in Millennium Park. Honestly probably a good thing we didn’t realize they were doing it that night or else I would have sat there all day waiting. And we got to hear the whole lightning round + a few retakes so I call that a win.
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Now, I’ve gotten several questions from all my fans [thanks Bridget] that deserve answering. Again, if you have anymore, trip’s almost up so ask away!!!
Who was the best host? I could get in trouble for answering this one so I’ll reaffirm that all my hosts have been fantastic and I am so lucky to have been able to stay where I’ve stayed.
Do I hate driving now? No, I definitely do not hate driving now. But I do remember how much I dislike driving in traffic.
Why is Gene a boy? He just screams old man car.
What does a huckleberry shake taste like? Huckleberries. Duh. (Really creamy, almost a chocolately flavor, but not too sweet. I’ll start growing them in VA so I can have them when I’m at home)
Who is Travis? Travis is someone I met in Pullman who is from Dickinson, ND. When I told him about my trip, he offered his family house as a place to sleep for me and my mother, which was so, so, generous. A very random meeting, but we are thankful it happened.
What would have been the best travel companion if they weren’t otherwise engaged? Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to;)
Finally, and most importantly
How many cows did you see in total?
Too many to count, although I would have to say at least several hundred. There are really a lot in the middle of the country.
peace luv & moo’s
Catherine