Portland, Maine to Chicago, Illinois

September 28, 2009
Portland, Maine to Chicago, Illinois

6:00 AM came way too early as I waited for the cab to take me to the Portland airport. When I arrived I got in line at security where I downed my Nalgene water bottle only to have a teaspoon left when it went through security. TSA enforcement in full effect, the x-ray technician yelled and screamed that I couldn’t have any liquids even though he had just watched me drink the bottle before passing it off to him and made me go back out, drink the teaspoon, then wait back in the security line all over again. Really? Last week my Coleman camping wrench made it through.

When I finally landed in the Windy City I was met by my CS host, Dan, who drove me towards downtown Chicago and underneath some dark bridge area that was used to film scenes in the ‘Dark Knight.’ Very cool. After turning a corner we drove out to the planetarium and I was treated to a photographic view of Chicago along lake Michigan, with hundreds of sailboats dotting the bay. Once Dan had driven me past Wrigley field and over to his house we took off again and he introduced me to Chicago deep dish pizza. Yummy and filling. I really needed a nap after my long day so far, but there would be no time for resting as we headed off to meet a friend who had just moved in to a condo right on Lake Michigan. His view from the 36th floor provided great aerial coverage of Chicago and I could see the Sears Tower along with the John Hancock building. The guys suggested that we head to dinner and I let them walk me down the street while showing me their town; little Victorian style homes dotted the streets, then you turned the corner and were met by a Starbucks. We settled on Mexican food and after beginning with homemade guacamole so good it made you want to slap your momma three plates of steaming fajitas made their way to the table. After digging in quickly my tummy was full and it was time to go home.

September 29, 2009
Chicago, Illinois

Walking outside I headed down four blocks to the Loyola campus where I was met by old brick buildings and young kids jetting to class. The school is located right in the middle of town, with cars cutting through in each direction. It made me glad that I went to a small school in a little mountain town. As I approached the edge of campus I noticed Lake Michigan and peered around the corner, where I was met by a beach. Even though the sky was gloomy, the beach offered a spectacular view and was accompanied by a pier, so I walked down a little ways where the benches were covered in colored glass pieces and painted by local artists. Then I caught the bus downtown to Randolph and Michigan, taking in the Miracle Mile along the way. Once there I ventured in to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to gain a map of Chicago so I would be able to find my way around and possibly locate Oprah. While there I noticed the Chicago Department of Health was giving away free flu shots, so I lined up along with everyone else and took advantage of the health giveaway. Health care reform!!! It helps everyone!!! Stop the flu!!! Finally, I crossed the street and meandered through Millennium Park where I saw the famous bean, the waterfall figures and so many fountains I stopped counting. Farther down I came into Grant Park where Obama gave his famous speech last year and I saw Tiffany’s flower garden. Soon I landed at the Field Museum and Soldier Field, then went into the aquarium where it was free day! Lucky me! The Chicago aquarium was amazing and probably the best I have ever been to; their exhibit on the Caribbean made me feel like I was actually snorkeling back in Grand Cayman. Outside I strolled beside Lake Michigan and headed up Michigan Avenue where I saw the famous Water Tower that set the city on fire so many years ago. The architecture in Chicago blew me away and all I could think was how well planned out the city seemed to be. Nearby was the Museum of Contemporary Art and it was free day as well! I was making all the right moves today and on the second floor there was a magnificent mural of a beachside with angels hidden inside.

Catching the L outside I headed North towards Wrigley for the 7:05 PM Cubs game. Meeting Dan by the Harry Carey statue we headed inside to see the ‘already out of the playoffs’ team. Sitting in the bleachers I grabbed a hot dog and settled in for the game. Watching the Pittsburgh Pirates made oh’, so many errors, I wondered if I was watching a AAA team or professionals who get paid millions each year. After the score was 7-0, Cubbies, I took off in the 4th and called it a night.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Chicago, Illinois

I said goodbye to my CS host, Dan, early in the morning then headed downtown where I stored my bags at a hotel that I would be reviewing for the next few days. Then I took off in search of Oprah, but along the way got sidetracked at the Chicago stock exchange, Sears Tower and beautiful river walk. Inside the Chicago public library I found an exhibit on Burnham, the man whose 1909 plan set up the exemplary building of Chicago. After taking time to explore the history of the Windy City, I continued on down Washington towards Harpo, but found a lot of construction and just didn’t have the energy to continue on to snap a picture of the building without tickets to an actual show. Instead, I ventured back up Lake Shore drive towards the Lincoln Park Zoo. A free zoo, it didn’t hold up to the World Famous San Diego Zoo, but was worth the effort I put forward as I saw zebras, flamingos, and monkeys flying about. At the zebra exhibit I took particular interest in the zebra who was being watched by officials for epilepsy! I have something in common with the funky animal! Back on Clark street, I passed by fun places like the Excalibur club, Hard Rock Café and famous Newburry Library. Finally at the hotel I relaxed in a warm bubble bath and soaked my tired bones before enjoying dinner in the hotel’s lobby and taking in some music at a tiny jazz club called Wunder Bar. Over the last few weeks I have enjoyed more live music than I have in the past year; it’s nice to sit back, relax and listen to up and coming artists as they hone their skills.

Thursday, October 1, 2009
Chicago, Illinois

The best part of reviewing hotels are days like today. Waking up, I ordered room service and then hit up the spa. Enjoying a foot bath, hydrotherapy and deep tissue massage, I was thoroughly relaxed as I enjoyed the rest of my day by listening to more live music in Daley Plaza, a country band doing covers over lunchtime. Then I took the L to a funky part of town where book stores line the way and promoted my book for a couple hours before enjoying the fitness center and sauna where any troubles I still had melted away fast. Finally, I walked over to the Chicago Art Institute, where it’s free after 5:00 PM on Thursday’s and saw Montet’s and Van Gogh’s up close. I had just missed an exhibit outlining the history of wine and I was upset I had not come to Chicago just one week before. Back at the hotel I peeked into the lounge for a nightcap before curling up in the oh’ so comfortable bed and fell fast asleep after my lovely day of R&R.

Friday, October 2, 2009
Chicago, Illinois

10.2.09 That’s the date that all Chicagans had been waiting for. The Olympic announcement. First thing in the morning I hightailed it down to Daley Plaza to join all the locals for the IOC to make their decision. Signs waiving, music playing, TV’s rolling…festivities were high! Then the IOC made the first round announcement and silence filled the air. Everyone was like ‘WTF?’ And that was it. What had been building in the city for days was suddenly over. So happy I raced down and stood out in the crowd. But, now I had a collectible Chicago 2016 sign. Hasta la vista Daley Plaza.

Now that my time in Chicago had come to a close I walked away from Daley Plaza somber. I grabbed my luggage and made my way over to O’Hare to catch my next JetBlue leg to Charlotte. Rain had begun to trickle down on the city and everyone was waiting to hear if Rio would get the bid. They did. Apparently IOC members wanted Brazilian waxes and bikinis instead of Oprah. We’ll get them next time. Until then, Charlotte, here I come.