Chicago

It was a grown-ups only trip, ourselves and 3 other couples from Kansas City.  All of us Husker fans.

We headed out Thursday (after an hour+ delay) and didn’t end up getting into Chicago until 1am or so.  We had planned on taking the “L” train from the airport, and luckily caught the last one headed for downtown.

On Friday we spent the day strolling around Michigan Avenue.  Hitting some stores and getting some deep dish Chicago style pizza.  That evening we got all dressed up and headed over to Trump Tower to a bar called Rebar.  Which I think was an appropriate place for two structural engineers to enjoy drinks.

I was drinking chocolate martinis, which usually means a good night for myself.  They were delicious as always and at a bargain price of $18 a piece.  I guess Trump thinks his drinks are special!

The next day was all about the Huskers.  That was the main reason we were there, to enjoy the Nebraska versus Northwestern football game. 

We took the “L” train from downtown Chicago to the Northwestern campus.  It was probably an 1 to 1 1/2 journey.  And as we got closer to campus, the train was more and more packed with Husker fans.  It was really quite amazing.

We tailgated with some Northwestern fans, friends and family of a friend kind of thing.

And then we headed into the game.  I think there really were more Husker fans than Wildcat fans in the stadium.

That evening we stopped in Wrigleyville on our way back downtown and enjoyed a few more drinks, a little dancing, and some food.  But most of us were exhausted and after the long day of tailgating and a nail biter of a game (Nebraska won by 1 point).  We called it an early night.

The next day most of the crew was headed home, but Jesse and myself were staying one extra night.  So the two of us headed out to do some Chicago sightseeing.

We started off by walking to Willis (formally Sears) tower.  We made the 2 mile walk there, even passing a movie being filmed outside a downtown bank.  They had the street blocked off, with police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, etc.  It was apparently a Hollywood action film, we were informed as we tried to take a picture and were told we were not allowed.  So if a movie comes out soon with a big bank robbery scene (totally my guess on what was being filmed), we were there.

When we got to Willis Tower, the wait was 2 hours to go up to the observation deck, so we decided to head over towards the museums.

We were getting hungry so we stopped in a little café that had seating right on Michigan avenue.  I was in heaven, as we were right across the street from the fountains and parks, and we could people watch!

After lunch we walked another mile and decided to try the Field Museum.  I don’t think either of us has been in a museum in 10+ years.

The Field Museum is known for having the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex named Sue.

After the museum we were both tired of walking, so we slowly made our way back to the hotel walking along Lake Michigan.

That evening we were trying to decide where to eat.  It was just the two of us, so we should have done something nice and romantic.  Except we were tired and more importantly tired of paying a lot of money.  So I told Jesse I knew a place that had great burgers and shakes.

We headed for Ed Debevics, which is a loud and almost obnoxious family place.  Jesse was not happy with me, and couldn’t believe I would suggest eating there just the two of us.  There were loud families everywhere (although luckily the place wasn’t packed).  But one drink of his Oreo shake and I was forgiven.

Still the best place for a burger and shake!

We took the kids home a souvenir from the restaurant.  Bella was kind enough to model it for me.

And that was our trip.  We went back to the hotel and called it an early night.  I think I got 12 hours of sleep that night….it was heaven.  And then we flew back home to reality.