Birch and Sass take Chi Town by storm!

“I saw that but didn't put it on my calendar for some reason or conflict, can't remember. I'll check it out again. Are you interested or informing? :-)”

“I'm too fat and lazy at the moment. Just informing I guess.”

“If you change your mind, let me know.”

“We are always up to visit downtown. The kids never get tired of the Field Museum or the Aquarium. We just left the Field Museum the weekend before the last and they are already asking when we are going back. Anyway, I'll do a better job coordiating with the wife and I am sure we can make it work.

Sass and birch, our offer to babysit for an evening still stands.”

“cool jimmy san, we'd rather be able to do the family kids type thing this time round and a grown up trip later.”

“That's cool, birch, cuz looks like my crew will be coming down. I won't be able to confirm until the 8th but things are looking good for us to go. :)

dhutch, any hotel recommendations in your area? We're looking for something with a pool. :D”

“Sunshine,
There are several hotels in Woodstock, IL so I'd search for a pool and the best price. I think there's a Days Inn and a Holiday Inn of some sort. Send me an e-mail though and maybe we can work on some options depending on how many. I have some extra room, no pool but a tub and the dog's water bowl. :-P

Also, I'm cookin so let's try to decide an itinerary so I can plan some meals.

This is becoming an epic event!! Yay, what a way to show birch and sass the city!!!”

“hows this sound so far...

arrive late thurs
fri museum or aquarium
sat museum or aquarium
sun hang till 11 or noon then leave?

Cant wait!”

“Sounds like a good plan, Birch. I think it was mentioned before...If you want to check out the Dunes on Sunday, it would be on your way home. They have some shorter trails where you could get a couple mile dayhike in.”

“sunshine: If you have cash and want to have a great (GREAT) time stay dowtown at the Nikko. Highly recommended, but sort of a vacation on it's own.”

“You guys plannin on dinner Friday night in the city?”

“WK we can if you'll be there..

Ruby we got the package, thanks a trillion!”

“Ok from what I gather here's the current plan.

Thursday - Birch and Sass arrive

Friday - head downtown for a museum. I'm thinking the aquarium if jimmy san's kids like the field museum and he's up for Sat. If we have time maybe a walk along Navy Pier and then meet people for dinner. It's a bit of a long day but we can keep it easy for the little one's sake.

Saturday - back downtown for the Field Museum and back to Woodstock for dinner and a kid friendly evening.

Sunday - kick back, maybe take a walk to downtown Woodstock for window shopping after breakfast but only if we feel like it.

My daughter will be in town and is looking forward to the museums as well. She's 17 and loves kids but it will be fun for her to be more like one of the "grown ups"

Does that sound about right? If so I'll coordinate the train/transportation schedule so that we'll all end up in the right places to meet up.

WK - if you can do dinner Friday, where do you suggest. I'm thinking about classic Chicago style pizza or some place novel like Ed Debevics????”

“this sounds fan-frickin-tastic! Thanks a bunch D for doing all this!”

“:-D You are so very welcome!”

“I wish I could join you guys! G has never been to Chicago, and talks about wanting to visit one of these days.

Maybe we can come visit this summer, dhutch!


Have a great weekend, guys!”

“Sounds like a good itinerary. If you want to walk around Navy Pier, you could coordinate that with dinner as there are quite a few sit-down restaurants there.”

“Heya Hutchie if they've never been to Chicago ya gotta take em to a pizza joint!”

“The Childrens Museum at Navy Pier is outstanding as well. One of the best I have ever been to. It's a good 1/2 day outing. It's first rate and then it's on Navy Pier as well so there is lots of fun shopping (if you are into that) and good food, etc. Live music, boats, etc. Fun place but I tend to only go there for special events and the Childrens Museum with the kids.”

“Did you hear that they are going to move the Children's Museum to the north end of Grant Park? It will double in size as a result. I am happy about that because you can park at Millenium Garage underneath the park for $13/day as opposed to Navy Pier for $25/day. And you can take the train right there without having to then take a bus or a taxi. Of course, that is still years away.


And I have to agree with you that the Children's Museum is a good one. But it pales in comparison to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.”

“YES. I forgot about that! The Indy Museum is much better. We buy a membership to teh Childrens Museum in Terre Haute because they have a recipricol (sp?) relationship with the one in Indy. At least that's the way it used to work. Anyway, right on Ruby. I forgot about that.

My kids are (sob) growing up all to fast. My youngest just turned 7 and my oldest is 11. You forget these things...

Oh, and I did NOT know about the plans to change the Chicago museum. Thanks!
last edited: 2/01/06 9:07:41 PM”

“Children's Museum, Good. I haven't even been to a downtown pizza joint UP so yes. I'll do some research or give us suggestions.

And smiley of course :-) just let me know.”

“Sounds like a great weekend! I'm so excited!!”

“For classic Chicago pizza there is Giordano's. www.giordanos.com


WoundedKnee knows all the happening places.”

“We can do pizza, that would be sweet.

I would suggest the following:

http://www.giordanos.com/

This is true deep dish, Chicago style pizza. The best location is at 730 N RUSH ST. I don't think they take reservations, but the wait on a Friday night won't be too bad.

I will have Barbie meet me up in the city around 5 or just before and we will head over. There is a parking garage on the southeast corner from the restraunt and I think there are meters in the area so you can park on the street if you get lucky.”

“Or if you take the train, you can cab it. That is the most hassle-free.”

“You in for this Vic?”

“Giordano's is really, really good.”

“I'm in.”

“This is really sounding like a fun time, hope We make it”

“Hope you make it too!”

“My bro and I are talking about a hajj to Wrigley this summer, so I might be in the Chi-town area soon.”

“Ruby - you're right, its really much easier to cab it. I don't know the bus system very well and by the time you pay for 4 people....

bit, you'd better let us know if you're going to be in town. Omnipresent I tell you!”

“Drat, can't make it. Have to go out of town. Ed's is a popular spot on the weekends for all the tourons, so it may be difficult to get in. Giordano's would probably be less of a wait.”

“I will let y'all know, for sure.”

“Why would you want to see the Cubs when we have the defending World Series Champs on the south side?”

“I can see it now: Trailtalkers overtake Wrigley!!! I've got my Cubs hat, you know. Talk about a fun game!!!!!!!! Tickets at the beginning of the season are cheaper than later. Last year we went and sat very near home plate along the third base line for a relatively little amount of money. I seem to remember $19/ticket.”

“It would be easier to get into a Sox game.”

“Sorry WK, I'm a Cub fan. Have been for years.

I saw my first ML game at Wrigley.”

“Looser! Don't let me know whe you are here!”

“Don't worry, Bit. I'd go to Wrigley with ya. ;)”

“Thanks Ruby!

WK, thspppppppptttttt!”

“What does that mean?”

“Bronx cheer!”

“OK if there's gonna be Giordano's involved my butt WILL be there!!

And WK I'm with you!! why on earth would ANYONE drive all the way up to Wrigley when you could go see the SOX!! :p~~~”

“Birch, Sass,
My e-mails to you are coming back failed??? Probably due to user error. Need to know a coupla things.

What does the little one like for breakfast. Don't say anything it's easier if I know her favorite :-)

Will she stay in a room by herself or would you like her to stay with you since it's a strange house. I'd like her to be comfortable. Does she use a nightlight?

Trains into the city at 7:48 on Friday and 8:48 on Saturday will give us plenty of museum time. Is this too early?

Is the kid swimming evening a go? I planned dinner for all at my house but will probably use that time to go to the barn. Also, I've planned a big breakfast for the group on Sunday. This will help me save travelers a little bit of $ and give me a chance to do some cooking :-)

Once I get confirmation on the train times. I'll post a more concrete itinerary on the trip page.

Thanks”

“bumpety bump!”

“dhutch, abby loves pancakes (as do we).

she is fine by herself, but if its easier she can stay with us. Those times are fine, she will crash early, which is no biggy. It'll give us grown ups time.

not sure about the swim thing yet...

Thanks for all the work.”

“Cool, that's easy. Everyone loves pancakes!
I'll give you my queen size bed then. You can all pile in together. :-)

It's no work really.

Oh and Joe and I are registered for the Fury, yeehaw!”

“sweet! Rob West wants to race with me at the fury this year. He is trying to get REI into racing so he is gonna start himself. He has arranged for me to teach a clinic on beginning AR this march.”