Journal mode, engage!
Okay, this post has been a long time coming. This is more for me than it is for you (unless you're the stalker type, then you're welcome). On Wednesday, November 27, 2013, I and nine other friends set out from our sleepy little college town to the great city of Chicago... now let's start from the top.
The day before the trip, it snowed... a lot. So much so that we were debating whether or not we were going to be able to go on the trip. We gave the weather the benefit of the doubt and decided to go for it. We woke up early the next morning (5 something for me if I remember right). Before our scheduled meeting time, I drove out to the highway to check the road conditions. The highway had been plowed and one lane looked traversable... unfortunately the local roads I was on at the moment were still mostly covered. I attempted to make a U-turn but the road was sloping downhill so my car had trouble making the turn and then struggled to get back up to speed. Luckily, oncoming traffic was understanding and slowed to let me gain speed as my tires slid, searching for traction.
That was the start to my morning... never expected it to be that eventful. I met up with our group and we decided to drive a ways, and if the roads were bad, we'd turn back.
We planned to take a train from northwestern Indiana to Chicago to avoid having to drive through the swirling storm that lay ahead... traffic. I'm talking about traffic. So the trip began. On paper, it would take roughly 45 minutes to get to our station. It turned out that our travel time was close to that estimated time, and we arrived about half an hour early at the station. After buying our tickets, we found ourselves huddled in a little outdoor shelter with roughly ten other strangers as we waited for our train to arrive. We passed the time singing Christmas carols, much to the enjoyment of our new acquaintances. The actual train ride lasted almost two hours.
Once we arrived at our destination, we stopped next a Starbucks for a bathroom break (and a coffee break for those of us who are caffeinately inclined. Yes, I made 'caffeinately' a word). Our first destination once we emerged from below was Millenium Park. More specifically, everyone wanted to see the Bean. I don't know why people are so fascinated by the hunk of metal contorted into the the shape of a legume... Maybe because it functions as a funhouse mirror from any angle you look at it. Anyway, once the obligatory group selfies were taken we wandered the streets until lunch time.
Deep. Dish. Pizza. Does that explain all of lunch? I think so. Moving on...
Following lunch and the ensuing "itis" recovery period, we walked to Navy Pier to ride on the ferris wheel. Bad idea. The cars were not totally enclosed and remember, it was snowing that morning. Not only was it cold, but the "windy city" was living up to its name. It didn't help that the ferris wheel was the tallest structure for a half mile around and exposed to the lake on one side. It was an experience nonetheless. I nearly froze my hands off taking pictures but it was worth it. Here. Enjoy the pixels that my hands died for.
Following that bone-chilling ride we found ourselves with time to spare so we took a stroll through the many shops that lined the streets of Chicago. One of the shops we happened to stop in was H&M where my friends chose a plaid button down shirt for me to buy (because I wasn't planning on buying anything). It actually looks pretty good. I feel very lumberjackish wearing it. Once I was finished purchasing it, I decided to wander the streets by myself until everyone else finished with their shopping. Rounding the corner at the end of the block, I discovered a quaint little Christmas village where vendors were selling cultural Christmas items mainly from Europe. I found a gingerbread heart there and purchased it. I can't remember what it said on the front. Something in German about Christmas... Anyway, while I was there, I saw a man playing saxophone on the street corner. Now I love street musicians. I respect people who dedicate their life to entertaining people with their musical talents. This guy was no exception. He was playing jazzy Christmas carols, and I stood there for five or so minutes to watch. While I was enjoying the music, a Chicago man came up to me and started talking to me in his city accent. A ways into our conversation, this happened.
"Hey, you see that tree up there? [points to the tree in the top left pictured below]", he asks.
"Yeah," I reply.
"That tree is f****** s***. They usually have one that will reach at least eight stories high," he proclaims.
"Oh... really?" I say taken aback at the unexpected arboreal insult.
He went on about the changes in the setting... I think he commented on the government once or twice, but yeah. That was interesting.
Moving on from that, we decided to head home a little early to make sure we got back before curfew.
All in all, one of the best days of my life.
Best Wishes! -Richie
Once we arrived at our destination, we stopped next a Starbucks for a bathroom break (and a coffee break for those of us who are caffeinately inclined. Yes, I made 'caffeinately' a word). Our first destination once we emerged from below was Millenium Park. More specifically, everyone wanted to see the Bean. I don't know why people are so fascinated by the hunk of metal contorted into the the shape of a legume... Maybe because it functions as a funhouse mirror from any angle you look at it. Anyway, once the obligatory group selfies were taken we wandered the streets until lunch time.
Deep. Dish. Pizza. Does that explain all of lunch? I think so. Moving on...
Following lunch and the ensuing "itis" recovery period, we walked to Navy Pier to ride on the ferris wheel. Bad idea. The cars were not totally enclosed and remember, it was snowing that morning. Not only was it cold, but the "windy city" was living up to its name. It didn't help that the ferris wheel was the tallest structure for a half mile around and exposed to the lake on one side. It was an experience nonetheless. I nearly froze my hands off taking pictures but it was worth it. Here. Enjoy the pixels that my hands died for.
"Hey, you see that tree up there? [points to the tree in the top left pictured below]", he asks.
"Yeah," I reply.
"That tree is f****** s***. They usually have one that will reach at least eight stories high," he proclaims.
"Oh... really?" I say taken aback at the unexpected arboreal insult.
He went on about the changes in the setting... I think he commented on the government once or twice, but yeah. That was interesting.
Moving on from that, we decided to head home a little early to make sure we got back before curfew.
All in all, one of the best days of my life.
Best Wishes! -Richie