Weekend in Chicago

Over Memorial Day weekend A and I decided to get out of town and enjoy some time together in Chicago. We had a really good time and were completely exhausted by the time we got back. I love visiting Chicago.

5/25/08

• Headed out on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief at 8:15am (1 hour late)
• Had my usual Railroad French Toast in the Dining Car. A experimented with the eggs.
• Relaxed and enjoyed the train ride up
• Arrived at Chicago Union Station at 4:02 pm (40 min late)
• Brown Line to Lincoln Park and my favorite Chicago hotel. It’s a Day’s Inn but it’s a nice one (yes they do have upscale Day’s Inns)
• Rested and then Red Line out to Michigan Avenue to find a place for Dinner.
  
• Ate at Fox and Obel Market Cafe
• Walked to Navy Pier and watched the evening fireworks against the Chicago skyline (forgot my camera. Damn!)
• Bus, Red, then Brown Line back to the hotel

5/26/08

• Walked up to A’s favorite T-shirt store, Threadless
• Red Line to Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile) for shopping
• Walked down to Millennium Park to see the sculptures
• Continued to walk down to Lake Michigan where we found a nice spot under a tree to cool off and watch the action on the lake
• Brown Line back to hotel to rest up (we were exhausted and my feet were killing me)
• Ate dinner at Nookies in Boystown
• Visited Whole Foods on Halstead which was this seasons home grocery store on Top Chef (we are both huge fans of the show)
• Walked over to Wrigley Field to see it up close
• Wandered through Boystown and Lincoln Park
• Crashed at the hotel

5/27/08

• Checked out of the hotel and took the Brown Line to Chicago Union Station to check in our bags
• Walked down to Chicago Institute of Art where I finally saw my all time favorate painting in person, Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
• Lunched across the street at Bennegan’s
• Pink Line back to Union Station to wait for the West bound Southwest Chief
• Left on time at 3:15:pm
• Relaxing ride back to Kansas City where we arrived at 11:15pm (1 hour and 5 minutes late)

Wicked

Just returned from seeing Wicked the Musical at the Music Hall with A. This show is absolutely brilliant, I was completely blown away. I read the book a year ago so I was familiar with the story but there were a few changes in this version. Changes for the better in my opinion. The explanation of how the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion came about was a great addition. The sets were fantastic, the special effects and lighting were stunning, and the music was great (for the most part). I don’t think A was expecting to enjoy the show as much as he did so that made the night just that much better. This show should be on every theater goers list of “must see’s” It will never take over my personal #1 spot of Les Miserables (which is coming back to town this fall. Yea!) but sure comes close.

The Cure with Kitty Kat

I finally saw The Cure in concert last night and Its been a long time coming. . . I remember being turned on to The Cure by my good friend T.S. back in High School. T and I were driving around one afternoon and we stopped at Liberty Music where T bought me The Cure’s The Head on the Door cassette. Instantly hooked. So it was fitting that Robert Smith sang two of my favorite Cure songs that I heard on that day: In between Days and Push. The show was pretty good, not the best concert I’ve ever been to but certainly far from the worst. Robert Smith was apparently ill and you could tell he was straining his voice. But he kept the audience happy with a show that lasted over two hours.

Kitty Kat and I had a great time at the show. Our seats were pretty good but the crowd around us was lame, seemed like just a bunch of soccer moms and dads. So after a while we ventured to the top of the amphitheater to the “cheap seats” which is where a lot the goth kids and and more livelier people were hanging out. This was where we definitely belonged. Kitty Kat and I always have so much fun when we go to concerts together, I’m lucky to have him as my concert buddy. After the show we high tailed it to Missie B’s for an after show drink and to rub shoulders with Mr. D. Miraculously, I was home and in bed by midnight but unfortunately woke up this morning with a slight cold (or maybe its just allergies). Irregardless, its ok because last night was a blast.

Mountain Oyster Anyone?

On my way back home from Jefferson City late this afternoon I discovered that nearby Orlean Missouri is getting ready for their 15th Annual Testicle Festival. . . Ewwwwwwww. . . No thanks, I’ll pass on the Turkey Fries and Mountain Oysters.

National Train Day

Today is National Train Day. Unfortunately there were no special events here in KC which is unfortunate considering how much rail traffic passes through this city every day. But none the less, its today and I have booked yet another round trip journey on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief to Chicago and back. A will be joining me this time and he has never been to Chicago nor taken a ride on a long distance train. We will be heading up Memorial Day weekend and staying just a couple days. Haven’t decided where we will stay yet but there are hotel bargains all over the place. I’m really surprised considering its a holiday weekend. I’m really looking forward to the trip.

Wildfire and the Titanic

This past weekend was spent doing what I love most.  M, A, and I headed down to Silver Dollar City outside of Branson so I could get my first coaster ride of the season. 

  

Only in Branson would you find the Titanic parked along side the road.