In the life of Sarah: Sarah's adventure in... Chicago

I was in Chicago for work the last weekend in October... and I went in a day before my meeting so I could have a Sarah Adventure!

I arrived on a Saturday, and it was my luck to have a fantastic driver (Herbert) that picked me up from the airport.

The adventure had begun.

I asked Herbert about riding the El (Chicago Transportation Authority) into the city, because I didn't want to take a cab there... I wanted to really experience the city. The town that I stay in for meetings (Oakbrook) is about 30 miles outside the city, and the cab fares there to downtown are about $75 each way. Herbert grew up in Chicago, and by the time he got me to my hotel he had told me he would be back in 15 minutes to pick me up for a tour of his city.

He picked me up, and in his own car drove me to Chicago and around town to all of the major tourist attractions.

He showed me where I would catch the El the next day, where to have really good Chicago pizza, and where the Bears play.

One of the things I loved about Chicago was that there were neighborhoods and old buildings literally built into the newer city.

It wasn't neighborhoods like Seattle, but one big city,

and a mishmash of old and new.

Fabulous.

For those of you (and there were and are many) that ask about Oprah everytime I go to Chicago... No - I didn't see her... but I did see the great Omni Hotel (where all of her guests stay) on the Magnificent Mile (aka Michigan Avenue).

There is a big park on the East side of the city - across from Soldier Stadium. It's beautiful... and Lake Michigan really looks like the ocean - there is no other side to look at.

So many pictures -

The Chicago Sun Times:

The Opera House:

The main street downtown....

After my tour of Chicago with Herbert, he dropped me off at my favorite restaurant - Pappadeaux's - and I had dinner. Yumm.

Next morning - up early - cab ride to the closest CTA stop - the last stop on the Blue Line is: Forest Park.

(he he)

I went past the hospital that is the setting for ER (I was tempted to get off and look around, but it was about 5 miles out of the city).

Once you get into the city, the El goes under ground, or at least mine did. Some are elevated and go up a story and transverse the city. Pretty Cool!

I got off downtown and started walkin.

I had GREAT weather when I was there - it actually got up to 70' on Monday - but the wind chill... and just the wind... were ALWAYS there. May have been 70' in the sun, but wind chill made it feel like it was 45'.

Something I had noticed when flying over the city was that there is a river going thru the city. I never knew! It's the Chicago River (creative naming) and it's beautiful!

Chicago spirit was everywhere... even the guy cleaning windows above Cartier on Michigan Ave. had a "I heart the Bulls" sticker on his very small piece of wood holding him up.

I was then off to find some lunch.

Chicago pizza anyone??

I got a SMALL pizza.

And to my surprise, the nice employees (not really) at the restaurant didn't warn me that the small pizza would be enough to feed an army. I ate two pieces.

I did however end up making a great choice in places and times to eat,

because it was Sunday NFL football - and the Bears were playing in the city.