Birch and Sass take Chi Town by storm!

“That sounds great Dhutch! The Market Ruby mentioned sounds fun too. But, we don't have to hit everything this weekend.”

“If you do a museum, I would plan on just one in a day. You will never be able to see it all in a day anyway. Aquarium is cool because of all the tanks of fish and the dolphin show. They also have a shark tank exhibit (extra admission). Field Museum of Natural History has King Tut and the dinosaurs. This is where Sue the T-Rex lives. Museum of Science and Industry is very cool with lots and lots of hands on exhibits like the Whispering Hall, the Russian U-Boat that you can walk into, a jet, a train, a coal mine, etc. Then there is the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. Haven't been there yet, but am going on Monday with the boys.”

“The aquarium might be really great for keeping the little one's attention. Lotsa bright fish, big fish, weird creatures all over. Plus, the show they put on! It sure seemed the kids there were enjoying Shedd.”

“The King Tut exhibit is going to be at the Field Museum from the end of May to the end of 2006. Tikets will be hard to get, I am a member of the Field Museum and I generally get into the events for free before the general public can get in. The aren't doing this for Tut...

If you guys want a night out on the town together my wife and I would be happy to sit with your daughter. We have three kids, one about her age. She would have a blast.

I love the Aquarium and it's one of my favorite things to do with kids downtown, personally, but the Field Museum is nothing short of stunning. The Aquarium is just an aquarium but the Field Museum is THE Field Museum. On members night they open the doors and let members into the back rooms where the scientists work. You can see the REST of the facility and it's even more staggering, all the things that aren't on display. My favorite part is the Pawnee (sp?) Indian Lodge although I can't say why.

The Pompeii is still at the Field Museum and it's a great exhibit.”

“Jimmy san - I also thought the Pompeii exhibit was fantastic.

It's almost overload Sass isn't it? Take some time, no hurry.

I agree with Ruby on one museum in a day and would actually lean towards the aquarium with a 5 year old.”

“Hey, Jimmy san, thanks. I never heard of Goose Island. "Division Street cuts straight through the center of the island, and many motorists passing over the bridges at Division probably have no idea they have just crossed an island."
Goose Island

Mapquest Map

That's an interesting island.
last edited: 1/13/06 9:15:09 AM”

“:)”

“I just thought of another thing. The zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo is the only major free zoo in America. It's in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and is pretty cool. Or you could go to the bigger zoo out of the city called Brookfield Zoo.”

“It will be especially cool in Feb.”

“jimmy san, thats an awesome offer for the grownup night out. We shall see. Any chance of you and your joining us anytime along the way?”

“What are you guys planning for Sunday?”

“not sure yet, other than driving home ....Maybe something till noonish or so...”

“When are you guys getting in?”

“Birch had talked about taking Friday off and leaving Thursday night. I'm not sure what he decided he'd do though.”

“That would be cool! Let me know, I'll take the day off!”

“I am putting a little package in the mail tomorrow to Birch adn Sass. It's just a bunch of Chicago brochures and maps, etc. BTW, I didn't realize until I got home that I grabbed a Spanish map of the city. Next time I walk by the Cultural Center I will get an English one for you. In the mean time, que pasa?”

“Oh, one more thing. I think I can get Jon to join us in Chicago if it works with his schedule. I want him to meet more of my crazy TT friends.”

“sweet! thanks ruby!

This is gonna be fuuunnnn.”

“Yesssirrreee Bob, I mean birch.
WK - don't you live around southern tip of Lake Michigan. I know it will still be brisk but how bout breakfast downtown followed by showing these guys Indiana Dunes State Park? I could escort them as far as the city???? Just a notion.”

“I would like to join you guys on whatever your plans are for Saturday. I might have family coming into town that weekend to see the little lugnut though, so I will need to temper my attendance with a maybe.

I will look through the whole thread, but will first ask; has there been any conclusive destinations for Saturday?”

“I don't think there has been yet, Hubcap. They are working on that.

BTW, I was on a job today which was basically a pre-bid meeting for a City of Chicago job. It was mostly attended by environmental related companies, contractors, and engineers. Made me think of you and I wondered if a rep from your company was there. What's the name of your company if you don't mind me asking? (If you don't want to post it here, you can email me.)”

“Since we have the little one with us I thought that the aquarium would be cool on saturday.”

“Tell the people when we're getting there!”

“Saturday is out for me. We are having the family over to celebrate Gracie's first birthday.

I was thinking dinner in the city on Friday night if you guys are here. We could do Rock Bottom again or something different. I think Barbie and Grace would be up for that.”

“You guys have a lot of fun. Chicago is a great city. I'll be in Wisconsin Friday-Sunday so I'll miss you. The weather has been way too warm for me but prolly perfect for travel/visiting. You'll love the aquarium although I still say that the Field Museum is your best bet. If you visit the Field Museum you can join as members (it's often cheaper to join than pay admission) and then immediately purchase tickets to return to Chicago for the King Tut exhibit. It's selling out FAST. Hard to belive something could sell out that will be around for 6 months but that's the way it is going down. We had to pick several dates before we got one that worked. There were no Fridays or Weekends, at least the ones we tried. Wound up getting tickets in June... :)

If you do go be sure to visit the Pawnee indian lodge. They have an entire lodge rebuilt inside the Field Museum. Also the regular dinosaur exhibit is closed (why I don't know) but the Chinese dinosaur exhibit (costs extra) is outstanding but on the small side. The fossils of the dino eggs are the real thing, not plaster casts.

The Pompeii exhibit is crowded at first but opens up as you get in.

The animals, insects, fish, etc are always a blast.

My personal favorite is the rocks and minerals section... the meteor that they have that they show flew through the roof of a garage, the top of a car, through the seat, bounced of the muffler, and back into the car. They have all the parts of the car set up where you can see the meteor and the holes in the car. It's funny.

Then there is Sue, the most complete T-Rex skeleton in existance. It's breathtaking when you realize how few of her bones are missing. Her skull is the only reproduced piece and it's upstairs for viewing because the real one is too heavy to mount. The rest of her is the real thing with only a few missing parts. Amazing.

Whatever you do, have fun! Chicago is one of America's great cities and you are sure to have a blast.
last edited: 1/27/06 10:11:58 AM”

“jimmy san, will the museum be fun for a 5 year old?”

“Here's their link:

www.fieldmuseum.org


BTW, Tuck and Luke are supposed to be with their dad that weekend. But they would like to see Abbey. So I'm going to see if I can work that out. And I am going to be bringing Abbey's pants as well. Luke is growing like a weed...again. They haven't fit him since October. :)”

“This question:

Also the regular dinosaur exhibit is closed (why I don't know)

Is answered by this statement:

but the Chinese dinosaur exhibit (costs extra) is outstanding but on the small side.


Kid: I wanna see dinosaurs!
Parent: Sorry the dino exhibit is closed.
Kid: Not that one!
Parent: It costs more!
Kid: WAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Parent: (coughs up the extra $$$)”

“Yea bitpusher, that was our bet as well.”

“Yes, birch. Outstanding fun. We took a group of kids including a 2 year old, a 3 year old, a 7 year old, a 10 year old, and a 11 year old this last weekend. They all had a blast. The kids in particular like all the exhibits of wildlife (every animal yuo can think of). Your daughter will have a total blast if she is into animals, sea life, etc. Also, if your daughter knows anything about ancient Egypt they get a kick out of seeing the mummies, etc.”

“I agree Jimmy san but I think if you had time for one breathtaking thing to show your 5 year old the aquarium would blow her mind. I'm leaving it up to the travelers though.

We'll have to take an early train because I understands it gets busy pretty early at the Shedd.”

“ugh...decisions decisions...

At least we have time to choose.Thanks for all the great ideas hus far.”

“The Shedd is a really nice aquarium, but it's expensive and in the scope of others in the US it's just really nice. Birch, Sass, and their daughter will have a good day no matter what they decide to do. The frog exhibit at the Shedd (a few years ago, I think) was very, very cool. They tend to do a good job with special events, but we (my family of 2 adults and 3 kids) don't go there that often because it's too expensive. We get a LOT more mileage from our Field Museum membership year after year. My wife keeps asking if I renew and I say, "No way." Then she reminds me that it will pay for itself if we even go once in the coming year. Then she reminds me of members night (my favorite event of the year). Then I say, "Write the check."

:)

Have a great dinner and night on the town. Birch and Sass, my wife and I were planning on leaving for WI tonight, but I do know I offered to sit with A*** (her name, right?) one evening. If you post back or email me in the next few hours before we leave I will be willing to stay home this weekend and extend my offer to have her sit with us and the kids. Let me know.”

“Oh, make sure if you go to the Shedd to catch them during the time when they feed the fish in the large central tank. A diver goes in and feeds the fish. It's not a huge tank but it's still very impressive.”

“Jimmy San That is a realloy super offer. I will pass this time though. Thanks so much!! Next time round we'll catch up. At this point I am leaning towards both places, one fri the other sat...”

“Hehe, as I like to day... nothing exceeds like excess. Have fun. I expect to see a flash photo of a fish tank that shows a few washed-out fish behind a white reflected ball (from the flash) and a mirror reflection of the picture taker and a few other people next to them.

:)”

“Both it is! You won't regret it. Best also to do one each day. Best not to scrunch in my opinion. I need to check but if I remember correctly there may be a "multi-museum" discount package.

One day we should check out a classic Chicago pizza place for lunch doncha think?”

“Hope y'all had a great weekend. My wife and I thought about you guys this weekened. Hope you had a great time. I jsut got home and it looks like the weather must have been warm. The quinzhee the kids and I made is totally gone, melted away! All that is left is a pile of sticks we used to estimate the thickness of the walls... :)”

“jimmy san, we arent coming till the last wknd of feb...”

“From watching the program tonight, I was reminded that the program 190 North, which runs on Channel 7 in Chicago, is a great resource for learning about interesting things to see and do around the city.

So here's a link. If you live around Chicago you might want to bookmark it.

http://www.190north.com/”

“Haha, I got your arrival off by a month! I thought you were here this last weekend!”

“So does that mean you'll be in town when they're here?”

“That's very possible now, yes. I am such a goof. I have to learn how to use a calendar.”

“Very cool. It would be good to see you and maybe your family if they fancy a trip to the museum with us??”

“Is Abby going or is she going to Grandma's house?”

“She's coming with us. No Grammas available that weekend.”

“She's coming along if the plan still stands as last posted.”

“Hi Sass!”

“Hi Diane! There's a Buff betty in our area in march.”

“Sassafras, You have mail! :)”