The Windy City: Chicago, IL

Bridget:

One of the things on this trip that has amazed me the most is to see so many opposites in the same country…opposites in weather patterns, opposites in demographics, and especially opposites in geographic features. After spending a few days in Wayne, where there are only a few stoplights but several hundred acres of corn, I was once again amazed at the contrast when we entered the thriving metropolis of Chicago.

The last time I was in Chicago was about 15 years ago, sometime during my junior high years. We had driven up as a family for my Papa’s 80th birthday and to visit with my mom’s brother’s family. Uncle Rick and Aunt Dawn had three kids about the same ages as me and my siblings, so naturally we had a blast doing weird kids things like climbing up hallway walls, giving puppet shows out the back window of the station wagon, etc. That visit was the last time I saw them. Well, you can imagine how “opposite” it felt to step out of this time machine we call life into the present, where my cousins are all grown up with adult jobs, and we can actually hold adult conversations.

We arrived to the house Saturday night, where Dawn already had a feast prepared. After catching up on the past 15 years over an excellent meal, we did a little sightseeing-planning for the next day. We decided to squeeze in Navy Pier that night. So, Craig and I along with my cousins Jeff, Lauren, and her boyfriend Kyle caught the train into the city and headed to the Pier. At first glance, the bright lights and Ferris wheel make it look a bit like the fair, but you can also listen to live music, go to restaurants & bars, do a little shopping, or even catch a chartered boat ride. They also do a fireworks show on Saturday night.

The five of us decided to cheese it up with a ride up the Ferris wheel. It was soooo chilly up there (especially for a couple of Floridians), but it provided a spectacular view of the city’s nighttime skyline.

The rest of the night we spent chit-chatting about plans for the future, Craig’s Navy stories, and of course a few more funny memories.

The next day we were greeted with a delicious breakfast and coffee before heading downtown. We had decided on the Museum of Science and Industry which has a smattering of exhibits such as old trains, cars, farm equipment, a chick hatchery, genetics center, German U-boats, and even a fetus development exhibit that shows each stage of life in the womb (unfortunately this exhibit is under renovation until October I think). The museum building itself is also pretty incredible considering it was built in 1903, before the use of modern-day machinery.

Rick, Dawn, Jeff, Craig and I met my cousin Michelle and her husband Jamie at the museum entrance. The last time I saw Michelle we played with dolls and talked about the difference in our accents. Now she is married, living in downtown Chicago, and working for an advertising agency with big-name clients.

One of the new exhibits in the museum is something called the “Smart House.” This is a full-size house built in the museum’s courtyard. Everything in the house lives by five eco-principals: smart design, material efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency, and healthy environment. That includes the furniture made from recycled wood, the composting machine made from recycled plastic, and even the kitchen counter tops made with recycled broken traffic lights and car taillights. The house even has giant plastic water tanks underneath the house that collect rainwater for taking showers, flushing the toilets, or watering the gardens.

The house’s design is deceivingly open, allowing easier ventilation from room to room and even from the first floor to the top. Oh, and there are hot-water tubes running underneath the flooring throughout the entire house to provide a flawless heating system (remember: hot air rises). There aren’t even any air vents to collect dust, mold, or mildew.

After the museum, we headed to Millennium park to check out the fountains and “The Bean.” The fountains were our first stop. Now, don’t let the word “fountains” trick you into thinking boring…they are unlike any fountains you have ever seen. They are basically two very tall brick rectangles that face each other with the water in the middle. The interesting part is that there are videos of different faces projected onto the inner-facing sides of the bricks.


If you stay for a few minutes, you might be surprised by what the faces can do:

Now that would be a mean, but funny, trick to play on someone. “Hey, go stand right about here and wait for the face to start puckering up.” Just be sure it’s a scorching-hot day if you plan to do this. The Chicago wind gets chilly!

Onto “The Bean.” If you have ever heard anyone describe this, you probably thought to yourself, “What’s the big deal?” Trust me, it’s one of those things you just have to see to appreciate. It is basically a giant chrome-sided sculpture that looks like a huge…well, bean. It’s actual name is Cloud Gate, but is commonly referred to as the bean. We had some fun taking pictures in various positions around the bean and seeing how distorted we could make our reflections. The coolest part is the reflection of the city skyline at most angles.

On the way to catch the train after Millennium Park, we passed several breathtaking views of the city:

After a terrific day spent in the city, we all worked up an appetite that could only be cured by some authentic Chicago grub: Portillos. Originally a 1963 hot dog joint operating out of a trailer, now they have 48 locations and feature sausage dogs, hamburgers, and their famous Italian beef sandwich with gravy and sweet peppers. To wash it all down, you might try their new “chocolate cake shake.”

So we now leave the beautiful city of Chicago ready to witness the next “opposite.” The one thing about our visit here that does not differ with my memories from 15 years ago is the warmth with which we were welcomed and the constant generosity we felt from the Sayre family. We thank you so much for everything!

Next Stop: Niagara Falls, NY