Chicago 2018 Chronicles – Day Fourteen: A Day of Adventure and Mishaps

Rise and Shine, Chicago!

Oh, the morning after my epic birthday bash! Waking up with a head that felt like it had its own gravitational pull, I knew it was going to be an interesting day.

A Race Against Time

With the clock ticking louder than Big Ben, it was a mad dash to shower, fuel up with breakfast, and scurry to Lisle train station. A brisk 1-hour sprint, including a 15-minute jaunt from Julie’s place to the station, but hey, we made it (barely). Bless her heart, Michele accidentally committed the cardinal sin of pouring out my life-saving coffee after just two sips. The horror!

All Aboard!

At the station, adrenaline coursing through our veins, we opted for the top deck of the train this time around. A fresh perspective awaited us as we chugged along the tracks towards the bustling heart of Chicago.

Unveiling the Underbelly: The Gangster Tour

Upon arriving at Union Station, it was another frenzied trek through the urban jungle to reach the Water Tower building, our rendezvous point for the infamous Gangster Tour we’d snagged tickets for.

Into the Underworld

Boarding the tour bus felt like stepping into a time machine bound for Chicago’s grittier days. For 90 thrilling minutes, we were regaled with tales of violence, mayhem, and the occasional dash of romance (well, sort of). From the dusty pages of the mid-1800s to the gritty drama of the ’70s, every anecdote had us on the edge of our seats. Though I suspect Michele’s enthusiasm may have waned a tad as we delved deeper into the city’s dark past. At various stops, we disembarked for a closer look, only to find modernity had bulldozed many of the crime-ridden landmarks into oblivion.

Cutlery Quest

Post-tour, we found ourselves in the vicinity of Bloomingdale’s—a stroke of luck since Lewis had tasked us with procuring a new chef’s knife. A tip for the thrifty: shopping stateside often yields better deals than back home. Score one for practicality!

Homeward Bound

With time slipping through our fingers like sand in an hourglass, we hustled back to Union Station to catch the express train to Lisle. This time, we nailed it—right train, right seats, and a sigh of relief as we settled in for the journey.

The Feast of Champions

Arriving back at Julie’s abode, our stomachs were growling like lions on the Serengeti. Breakfast seemed like a distant memory amidst our whirlwind day of exploration.

Mileage Masterclass

In a surprising revelation, Michele informed me that we’d covered a whopping 7 miles today alone. Throughout our holiday, she’d trodden tirelessly without a single complaint. What a trooper!

Beer, Blogs, and Bedlam

Now, as the day winds down, we find ourselves reclined with a well-deserved beer, flicking through TV channels, and penning down the day’s escapades in my trusty blog.

In the end, amidst the chaos and mishaps, there’s a certain charm to our adventures in the Windy City.