Birch and Sass take Chi Town by storm!

“If we have to stand around and enjoy each others company for awhile it won't be too awful. ;)”

“Oh, man do we HAVE to?? ;-)”

“Now wait a minute!!
I might have to stand around and drink Goose Island Beer and talk to BIRCH and SASS??
Man I don't know about this now!








Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a Fri night to me! :D”

“Miami is hot. Enjoy the pizza and beer!”

“Kary and I are going to get there by 6 and put our group's name in if that's okay. However, they probably won't seat us until our entire party is there.”

“Giordano's! Damn I am envious. I was there last in 1989.

Dammit. Gotta get to Chicago sometime soon.”

“Great Ruby!

Birch and Sass arrived at about 9:30 last night. Everyone is safe and sound. The little one has been playing with the 1902 doorbell all morning. I'm the door answering lady. :-) Pretend tea all around! We're just about to head out to the train station.

ChiTown here they come!”

“It's a beautiful day to walk around the city. Have a great day!”

“Dhutch, you have mail. Although it might be too late.

I emailed my cell number.”

“OK - That WAS the best pizza I ever had!

birch, sass and both daughters got up and had a very few minutes after breakfast to grab coffee and beverages at Java Junction for the train ride. We hopped on at 9:48 for the ride downtown. There was a quick cab ride to the Shedd Aquarium and we were immediately enthralled by the big saltwater tank. It was going to be a fun day. After a quick sandwich at the restaurant we started our tour in earnest.

We satisfied birch's fascination with sea otters and watched the dolphins for quite some time. The beluga whales were absolutely fascinating to me. First we watched from under water and later caught them from up top. In the meantime the little one was overjoyed to see the penguin feeding. How do they jump directly from the water onto those rocks anyway? Such energetic creatures. Up over the beluga tank we were treated to some special moments as one of the whales visited with the crowd, standing out of the water and talking to us. Amaaaazing, my favorite part.

We strolled through the Amazon river basin disply and saw the rest of the exhibits. It must sound like this was anti-climatic but it's just too difficult to describe all of the fascinating creatures and habitats that were displayed in such realistic detail.

After hours of strolling through the exhibit halls we all felt relaxed and sleepy. Everyone agreed that it may have been a combination of the dim lighting, relaxed pace and peacefully floating wildlife. It was time for a little souvineer shopping and the dolphin training show where the crowd was given a special treat as two owls were brought out for desensitization to the audience. What a beautiful venue. Inside the saltwater pool and looking past through the glass, Lake Michigan in all it's glory.

We took a rejuvinating walk along the Lake and into the Chicago rush hour and caught a cab to Giardono's a little early for some beverages, coloring and a raucus game of "I Spy".

Ruby and her sister in law, UPlover, wife and in-laws joined us later for the best pizza and pitchers of beer. Fabulous conversation all around and you've gotta love the train as designated driver. It was hard to leave but we cabbed over to catch the train with minutes to spare. What a great day! We arrived back in Woodstock with a very sleepy girl cuddling her new stuffed Petunia Penguin.”

“Oh how fun! I wish we could have gone. :(

We watched March of the Penguins last night and I too thought it amazing how they just jump out of the water onto the ice.

Glad everyone is having a great time!”

“gled you had a good time and sorry I missed you all, had to work next time”

“Yesterday it was the Field Museum to see Sue. The little one has been talking about her all weekend. So after she helped me make some blueberry pancakes for breakfast...

We took a very brisk stroll around the square and picked up some coffee for the train ride downtown. A quick cab ride and we were dropped in front of the Field Museum of Natural History. I've failed to mention that the architecture of these museums is absolutely fantastic and they overlook Lake Michigan for a stunning view.

We had a Chicago dog from the street vendor outside the museum then headed up the stairs. First of course, Sue the Tyrannasaurus Rex! The youngster has been taking pictures with her very own camera all weekend. That should be a very interesting album, "Chicago through the eyes of a 5 year old."

It takes a very full day to see the entire museum and the train ride took up most of the morning but we got to see all of the wildlife, Ancient Egypt, the South Pacific, Gems, Sue's head, Maneaters of Tsavo and the shoe. The new display, "Auschwitz Album" was saddening and disturbing. My daughter had visited this summer during her school trip to Europe and relayed some first hand experience. It moved us all but we rallied with a visit to the gift shop full of baubles. We had just begun the American Indian area when the closing was announced in 15 minutes.

So we caught a cab and went back to the Metra station being old pros by this game. Back in Woodstock dinner was at a little Mexican restaurant down the street. I'd been dying to give it a try and the food definitely did not disappoint. Authentic, reasonable and very tasty! Thanks Birch and Sass!

Time to relax and watch a movie. Several were dozing off but I won't name names because I was one of them. I wonder how Wallace and Grommit fared with the wererabbit?!

A very full and completely enjoyable day.”

“Thanks for the reports. Reminds me of the song, Getting to know you, getting to know all about you. ...”

“To sum up the wknd....WOW!!

Dhutch, thanks for setting this up and having us. It was great to see you and Adrian again. the new house is better than you described it.

Thanks to all Upluver and Ruby for bringing your kin for dinner it was fun to meet em and see you all again...

I'd post more but am whooped...

Oh yeah, our little one informed us that the only thing she wants in Ms Diane...”

“Kary and I had such a good time with you guys as well. Hanging out on Friday night has injected us both with enthusiasm for the Buff Betty adventure race. Sass, if you are serious about the Detroit race, I notice that the registration is due by March 23. I am pretty excited and nervous.

I'm so glad you guys had a good time in Chi-Town. Can't wait for the next visit!!”

“Sounds like a great trip! Sorry I had to be out of town.”

“What a fantastic, action packed weekend! Birch and I hit the wall of exhaustion yesterday on the ride home. Abby had post vacation meltdown last night. =)

It's hard for me to pin-point one thing as my favorite moment of the weekend. It was incredible seeing the museums, (esp all the extinct birds and the carved jade and beluga whales), but it was better seeing everyoe on Friday night. You guys are a blast!
Dhutch, thanks for he wonderful escape weekend. You are definately the hostess with the mostess!”

“Sounds like you guys had a blast! Sorry I was unable to attend.”

“Wow, what a day! Now that I finally have a few minutes to actually sit down, let me just say....Fri night was AWESOME! It was great to see all of you again and to meet Kary, not to mention the great pizza and beer!! Thanks dhutch for putting this all together and when are we gonna do it again?? :D”

“Hey UP, any chance you'll post any pics?”

“lol actually I only took ONE can you believe that? I was so busy yakkin I forgot all about taking pictures :(

But yeah I'll post that one for ya ;) lol”

“Nobody has pics???????


Sounds like you all had a great time!”

“How about a cubs and brewers game this year in Chicago or Milwaukee?”

“Yah spalpeen, sounds good.

The little one took lots of pictures with her very own camera! :-)”

“Great i will look at some dates”

“Upluver had a camera that night I think.




I'd LOVE to go to a game. I know that tickets are cheaper earlier in the season.”

“Someone took pictures. I have not dropped off film yet (sorry). Will do it today, I promise!”