It’s been a week since I finished work and time has floated by so slowly as we seem to have been here for ages, I bet it feels even longer for my poor cousin Julie who has had to put up with us for the past six days though!
Any men that moan about having to wait for their wives/girlfriends to get ready need to meet my middle son Lewis – he takes forever to get ready to go out. Today we waited for him this morning as well as this evening while he showered and dressed – note to self, speed him up tomorrow!
First job of the day is to go and pay my parking fine – I had a moan at the clerk at Lisle city hall but all they confirmed was that it is a city-wide ordnance and took my $20 off me.
Today we were heading back off into Chicago for a spell of shopping as well as the Chicago River boat trip, don’t tell the kids though that it’s an architectural one – oops too late they’ve sussed me out.
We elected to do the Chicago River boat trip first, the length of the trip was 75 minutes and took you down the main two sections of the river. However, enroute we stumbled across the Radisson Blu hotel which is the same chain that Lewis works for so after a brief chat with the concierge we went into have a nosey around – I think Lewis was a little impressed as it’s bigger than the one in Manchester where he works and was regretting not bringing his staff card.
The Radisson Blu hotel is a smart looking building with the wave style balconies
Now off to the river cruise that was starting from Navy Pier – the full length of the tour was narrated by a well-informed young man that talked for the whole 75 minutes and imparted a great deal of detail as Susan did the other day for the walking tour.
You get some cracking reflections off the glass showing the buildings opposite
Josh was enjoying the Chicago River boat trip too much as shown in one of the next pictures
There are so many buildings that have caught my eye and I have too many on my favourite list, but the Carbide and Carbon Building may just well be at the top of the list with its green and gold colours
After the boat trip we headed off in the direction of Michigan Avenue and the magnificent mile where all the shops are in search of a bargain or two????
Lewis was first to splash the cash in Bloomingdales where he bought a new knife for work saving himself £140’ish. Then he was at it again buying two pairs of Nike trainers and again saving!
We then had to stop off and buy a traditional Chicago hotdog at Portillo’s – Michele and I are not that fused over hotdogs but agreed that they were better than the UK versions.
Next stop was the apple store where both boys treated themselves to iPad minis. Michele was thinking about getting herself a new iPad but left it – I bet she’ll be back before we leave 😉
Time to head back on the ‘L’ to Forest Park where the car was left and we caught up with Julie as we were of out for tea to the White Chocolate Grill in Naperville genuinely nice choice indeed, thanks Julie for the treat. Lewis however sent his streak back as it was over cooked – the waiter was warned though that he is a chef!
Off to sleep now as it’s 23:37 as I need my beauty sleep as we are at the baseball tomorrow at Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs v the Rays
