Chicago 2018 – Day Six: A Warm Adventure
A Slightly Cooler Day in the Windy City
Ah, another lovely day in Chicago, though the weather has taken a small dip from its previous toasty highs. We’re now lounging in the late 70s rather than basking in the mid-80s. Still, it’s warm enough to keep the spirits high and the sunscreen handy.
The chaps working on the cladding at Julie’s place were, as usual, punctual as ever. 8:00 AM sharp, and there they were, hammering away despite the lingering warmth. Their dedication was quite something, especially in this heat.
A Trip Up the Side of Lake Michigan
Today, Michele and I decided to venture up the side of Lake Michigan to a charming little spot called Wind Point. Our past explorations hadn’t taken us this far north before. On our first visit, we only made it to Wrigley Field, the iconic home of the Chicago Cubs. That was still technically within the city limits. But today, we crossed the state border from Illinois into Wisconsin, heading tantalisingly close to Milwaukee.
We opted for the back roads to get a proper look at the American countryside. Along the way, we stumbled upon the Jelly Belly bean factory. Who could resist a stop at the factory shop? Michele certainly couldn’t! She stocked up on beans, and I’ve rarely seen her happier. Our English accents once again worked their magic, drawing in one of the staff members who seemed keen to have a chat.
Discovering Wind Point
After our little jelly bean detour, we pressed on towards Wind Point. There’s not a lot to see there, to be honest—just a few houses and, of course, the Wind Point Lighthouse. Built in 1880, the lighthouse is the main attraction, though it wasn’t open to the public when we visited. It was in the midst of a facelift, with the exterior being repainted, a process set to take two weeks.
Once again, our accents sparked curiosity. An American chap approached us, intrigued by where we were from. He naturally assumed it was London, as they often do. Bless him, he seemed a bit confused about the geography of the UK and how it related to our current location. He sent us off with a hearty “Godspeed,” which, along with the large crucifix around his neck, hinted at his religious leanings.
The Journey Back to Chicago
We tried to follow the shoreline road back towards Chicago, but unlike the UK, it’s not always possible to stick close to the water. Large, fancy houses hog the prime spots along the lakefront, leaving us to navigate the inland roads.
As we meandered our way back, we fancied a quick bite to eat. We had our sights set on McDonald’s, but would you believe it, we couldn’t find one anywhere! In the end, we had to settle for Wendy’s. It’s much the same as McDonald’s, really, except the burgers are square instead of round. Quite novel, but the taste wasn’t much different.
Finally, we made our way back to Julie’s, but not without a stop at the supermarket. Leaving during rush hour was a bit of an adventure in itself. American drivers seem completely oblivious to anyone trying to cross their paths at red stop signs. The car in front of us was patiently waiting to cut across the traffic, but a massive van with a flatbed back blocked the junction entirely! I managed to reverse and pass behind the vehicle, but the poor soul in front of us was still sat there, waiting patiently.
A Long Day’s Drive
We left Julie’s just before 9:00 AM and didn’t get back until after 5:00 PM. All in all, we covered about 180 miles. It was quite the journey, filled with scenic houses, a bit of state-hopping, and a good helping of American culture.
