Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Sunday, November 8, 2009

R & R report

What a great overnight stay we had.  The hotel was beautiful! 

blackstone up shot

It had recently been remodeled and the best way I can describe it is a modern art deco.  Funky with some art deco influences.

blackstone lobby

Look at this carpeting.  I wouldn’t have wanted to be drinking and try and walk on it.

wild carpet me

and if the carpeting in the lobby wasn’t enough for your vertigo, step into the bath in your room.  Check out that wallpaper.  We wanted to color it in like a paint by number but thought better of it. :)

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My traveling companions Joyce & Shelly.  Joyce was our navigator and a darn good one at that.
traveling companions

I enjoyed learning (from Joyce) how to navigate the many forms of transportation. 

We rode in from Elburn on Metra (the only way to go – just sayin’…),

then walked 6 blocks up to Millers Pub for lunch,
boarded a CTA bus to our hotel,
took the subway to dinner and back again. 

We used the subway again Saturday morning but I, for one, was extremely glad it was the last time.  Something about barreling down a dark tunnel in a train that’s rocking back and forth and feels like it’s about to launch off the tracks just isn’t my thing. 
(don’t ask me why the above lines are showing up as a link – don’t know what I did and am tired of trying to figure it out)

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Before the day was over, we also rode the “el” elevated train.  Surprisingly enough, I liked that  the best.  Weird, since I don’t like heights at all but compared to the subway, it was a wonderful experience.

kale mumsAll over the city were planters filled with mums and flowering kale.  Gorgeous!  This one was in front of the art museum.

skylineWe were blessed with an outstanding weekend for our little adventure with warm temps and bright blue skies.   I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

 

 

 

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Chicago…are you ready?

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Ready or not…Chicago here we come! 

A couple of friends from church and I are getting away overnight tomorrow night.
Oh yeah!   Time for a lil’ R&R.

Can’t wait…

taking Metra into the city --
no parking hassles – gotta love that :)…

wandering…

good food -- Millers Pub and Weber Grill…

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wandering more…

learning to use the subway and/or el..…

getting lost  learning new routes….

Trader Joes…

enjoying a free night’s hotel stay –
Blackstone 
thank you Sage Hospitality…

Crate and Barrel outlet…

more wandering still…

These two ladies are a hoot so it should be a fun 32 hours.  I’ll tell you all about it when we get back.