Some people belong in the big city.
Some people do not. I belong in the latter group.
This is the look of a woman whose nerves were on overload.
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My family took a day trip to Chicago.
We thought St. Louis traffic was bad, but St. Louis traffic
is like a Sunday drive compared to Chicago traffic.
To make matters worse, we had to take 2 vehicles,
with half the family in one car and the other half in the other car.
We managed to get separated twice,
with half the family in one car and the other half in the other car.
We managed to get separated twice,
but somehow found each other again. Amazingly, my husband and I
were still on slightly speaking terms by the time we finally parked,
but we were both TENSE. Actually, I was way more than tense.
I heard more honking in an hour’s time than I hear all month in our small city.
Chicago people must have nerves of steel to drive like that every day.
The mother in me wanted to get out and scream, “Alright, everybody just STOP.”
The mother in me also thought some drivers needed a serious spanking.
I’m pretty sure someone would have run the mother over though.
I think I may have even heard someone yell something about
a mother while we were driving, but I don’t think they were talking to me…
at least I hope not.
The mother in me wanted to get out and scream, “Alright, everybody just STOP.”
The mother in me also thought some drivers needed a serious spanking.
I’m pretty sure someone would have run the mother over though.
I think I may have even heard someone yell something about
a mother while we were driving, but I don’t think they were talking to me…
at least I hope not.
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Our first stop was the Willis Tower, better known by its former name, the Sears tower.
My nerves got another jolt when I realized how much the parking
fees were going to be for both of our vehicles…$64!
The cheapo in me was in absolute agony, but in the spirit of fun, family
outing, I paid it with only a little complaint.
The cheapo in me was in absolute agony, but in the spirit of fun, family
outing, I paid it with only a little complaint.
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The ride up the 103 floors by elevator takes only 1 minute!
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The 360 degree views from the top are amazing
and almost worth the outrageous parking fees and admission fees.
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It had rained some that day, so visibility was slightly reduced,
but still really amazing.
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We would have loved to have taken a boat ride,
but I would have needed to sell a child to afford to do it.
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Here’s the view of Willis Tower from back down on the ground.
You can’t see the uppermost part of the tower from this angle.
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My sons all tried the “hold the building up with your hand” photo trick. .jpg)
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The expression on my youngest son’s face seems to indicate
he was loosing his grip and the building was going to fall.
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My middle son thought he’d better use both hands to hold it up.
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Our next stop was Millennium park.
According to Mapquest, it’s less than a 5 minute drive.
Apparently, that doesn’t take country hicks into account,
because we managed to hit several detours, loose the kids again,
and take about 45 minutes to get there. Once we finally got to the park
and could see just how close we were from the tower…it was humiliating.
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There was a summer concert getting ready to start in this amazing
outdoor theater, but we couldn’t stay long enough to hear it.
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We went to the park because my daughter HAD to see “the bean”.
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That thing is WAY cool and a bunch of fun!
My boys can’t seem to stand normal and just smile for a photo –
they always have to strike a weird pose.
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Hugging the bean.
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Holding up the bean.
A group of college girls watched my kids do this
and asked if we’d take their photo doing the same thing.
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Standing underneath the bean is like looking into a vortex.
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I’m not exactly sure what this structure is, but it was interesting.
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By the time we finished at the park, it was getting late,
so we had to navigate our way back out of the Windy City and
start our long, 5+ hour drive back home. We thought we’d
find an authentic Chicago-style pizza place, hopefully on the outskirt
of town to eat dinner, but we didn’t so we opted for a nice pasta place instead.
I am a country person to the core, but occasionally
I love to visit the big city and despite the crazy driving I really do love to visit Chicago.
Blessings,
Angie
Angie! What fun pictures. I live in the Chicagoland area and love Millenium park. After awhile you get used to the crazy. At night the Pritzker Pavilion glows! Love your post. Kim
Very good looking family, Angie! I can somewhat identify with your ‘Chicago traffic’ issues although I’ve only been a passenger; never a driver. I have utmost respect for my husband who is a country boy all the way. He navigates a semi through that traffic with precision.
I enjoyed seeing your pictures and hearing about your day. I’ll ‘see’ you on Tuesday with my ‘apothecary’ door. 🙂 ~Rachel
You should have been with us when we drove through Chicago in our Kodiak truck pulling a 2 car trailer! Talk about hair raising! We live about 5 hours south of Chicago in small town USA. My experiences in Chicago have been mostly via tour bus when we were in the ‘burbs at a car convention. That’s the way to travel! I have a friend who works in the “Sears” Tower & takes a 2 hour train ride into the city several days a week. That would NOT be my cup of tea!
The last time I was there, I went with a tour group but was sort of by myself. While walking on the Navy Pier, I had a scary experience with a bunch of teenage rough necks. I learned my lesson to not go there alone. But I did eat the most delicious “Chicago Style” hot dog that I have ever had! Worth the trip…& I’m not even a hot dog fan.
I enjoyed your little travel log, especially since I had been to the same places. Lots to do in that city!
Angie, we just moved my younger son to Chicago. He graduated from Notre Dame so was pretty familiar with the city, but I agree with all your comments about it! We live near Dallas and our traffic doesn’t compare to what’s in Chicago. I was amazed at how rude some of the drivers were to other people-both in cars and pedestrians. My son lives near Wrigley Field and the whole area seems to be very exciting with lots to do. The city does have awesome pizza and wonderful restaurants. Maybe next time you go, you’ll get a chance to try some. Cheers!
Thanks for the fun tour Angie. It looks like your family had a great adventure despite the awful traffic and crowds. Your pictures are great and I especially like the ones of the bean; that alone could keep a family busy all day:-)
Angie, this post had me cracking up! You guys are brave to take on the city with cars and kids! My hubby and I love Chicago (in fact we’re going next month) but we fly in and take the “L”… Last time we were there we saw an accident happen right in front of us as we were walking! Looks like you still managed to have fun, though 🙂
Susan
Hi Angie
You look like ‘me in New York City’ in your first picture. I live in Belgium, our traffic is rather agressive (countryside & cities), but it gets worse in France and a lot faster in Germany (no speed limit on some parts of the highway, can you imagine?). But … I had never seen something like traffic in New York City. What was that??? Total chaos. Except from the big cities, traffic in the US is wonderful. Most people follow the rules and they aren’t rude.
Goedele
What a beautiful family! Great photos…nice post.
I’m lol-ing at your post – I am without doubt a city girl so found this hilarious!!!
You have a beautiful family – love your boys sense of adventure!
Great pics – feel like I just took a mini holiday to the windy city!
Hugs,
Suzan
too damn funny. i’m really half city/half country. split 50/50. wish i would win the lotto so we could keep our little country cottage but have an apt in nyc, dublin and rome. yup. i’d be a happy girl. LOVE THE BEAN!!!
Just yesterday we arrived home from a week long vacation to Chicago. Like you, I’m a country girl at heart and was prepared to dislike Chicago with a passion. Instead I was delighted and really enjoyed the architecture, the lake, the river, and all the wonderful sights. Of course you have to ignore the bums and the horns, and the crazy drivers. I’m so lucky that my husband (after a bit of cursing and getting lost a couple times)finally figured out how the streets worked. And that structure in the park you were wondering about was the amphitheater. It’s quite amazing! I hope you are able to go back sometime and spend a bit more time in this great city. There’s so much more to see.
This was us exactly- only it was always trying to find our hotel,pension or just entrance to the old cities in Spain and Portugal. Parking-it was all for sale and just about the price per car that you quoted.All our reservations and parking were in the old,old walled cities and although some hotel offered parking it was all for sale.Although there was no yelling, it was frustrating more for my husband because he felt responsible. We’ve driven in Europe before but it wasn’t in the spring but in the fall.Onced we checked in and parked the car all our cares and frustration melted away.The streets were narrow with designated one way and most like a labyrinth.I’d do it all over again–It made for great memories. I can see in your photos that you have a beautiful family.Please keep traveling and don’t pay attention to the local traffic;we drove with our hazard lights blinking and we given lot of consideration.We lost ourselves so many times but always found a way in.Traveling by car in a certain situations is not for the faint hearted and it is similar for any stranger in a strange land; either here or there! Sincerely June
What a fun time at the Towers (didn’t know the name was changed). I went there as a girl…ehem, many years ago! I still remember it and I still have my stub to go up to the top of the Towers (then Sears Towers)
Anyway…those are cool photos.
I totally understand about the traffic.
I grew up in Dallas, and I’ve lived in the country all my married life (well, most of it) But, man! I sure don’t like driving in city traffic.
…driving in the slow lane now, Pat
Angie,
How fun!! You were not far from us.We live in a suburb of the city.But way out in the country.And I agree I prefer the country life.I LOVE visiting the city.But I am not a city girl!
xx
Anne
I’m with you….give me room, as in Green Acres! We only live about an hour from Charlotte NC, but we try to never go there. lol. But maybe once a year we’ll go see the ballet at dinnertime. The photos are way cool, especially the bean.
Debbi
–yankeeburrowcreations
Loved reading this post! =o)
Angie, We go to Chicago about once very two years and always take the train. Tim usually has a seminar there so we get to stay in one of the luxury hotels on the Magnificent Mile! I have been to plenty of the shopping and art museums and even got to go with the other spouses on the Chicago River Cruise…your family would have loved that and you would have too because it tells all about the history of the buildings! No way could I drive in Chicago!!!
I am guilty when driving in traffic of identifying mothers as well, but I’m not talking to you either! Nothing like a reminder the grass is not always greener on the other side of the interstate.
Bliss
You’re braver than I am! When I was younger, I drove into Baltimore every day. Now, the very thought gives me the shakes! I’ll stay out here in the ‘burbs where I belong! Nice looking family, and great photos!
Angie,
Your post had me laughing out loud! Looks like so much fun….I’m like you though, I love to visit the big city but wouldn’t want to live there!
Too fun! I grew up in Minneapolis, so I guess I’m a “city girl turned country girl”…my parents live right downtown Mpls…so it’s fun to visit, but we park in their ramp and walk everywhere else 🙂 Laurel
I enjoyed your descriptions! We live in a Chicago suburb. A very affordable yet special way to see part of the city is by taking the chicagowatertaxi.com . It is simply a boat that uses the river rather than the street. A 10-trip ticket is only $16. Traveling on the water is refreshing, and offers a distinctive view of the city. Of course this service is only available in the milder months.
Of course you already know that your children will have fond memories which will last a lifetime, which makes the headache so very worthwhile.
What fun and it looks like your kids had a lot of fun…and of course then, you too! Thanks for taking us along on your trip. I’ve never been there before!
Liz