Chicago Day 2

With notes I took while with George and based on my own research I ventured into Chicago on my own, for the day.  I didn't feel I would have enough time to visit all the museums and other attractions he suggested, so I was just going to do what I could do and leave the rest for a future trip.

As recommended I drove from the golf course to the train station, about 10 minutes away.  I hopped on the double-decker regional train (only runs every two hours on Sundays) for the approximately 45 minute trip into the city.  In the city I purchased a one day, unlimited bus and Metra (subway) pass.  

The first order of the day was to see about getting a ticket to the hockey game that evening.  In case you didn't know, I hate the Leafs.  My team is the Blackhawks!  They were playing the Canadians (who are having a pretty good season).  I started to order tickets online a couple of weeks ago and almost bought them (I thought George would be going with me) but, then I got to the end of the process and on top of the $95 for nose bleed seats they wanted a $25 service and handling fee...on each ticket!  I thought that was a bit much so backed out of the process.  

With feet on the ground in Chicago, I was headed to the United Center to try and buy a ticket in person.  On the way I saw a ticket re-sellers outlet.  Surprisingly to me, they were open.  I went in and inquired and was able to get a ticket (more details later) so was now free to carry on exploring the city. 

I came across the Macy's store (on State Street):  

I recall hearing about their Christmas windows in New York, but apparently they also do them in Chicago:

Some are animated.

The next stop was the John Hancock Center to see the city skyline from about 100 stories up.  

On the way there I came across the Loyola campus.  

Often when I say I attended Loyola University, people assume the one in Chicago and I have to correct them.  I was happy to see the one that causes the confusion. 

Rather than pay $20 just to ride up the elevator and look around at 360 Chicago, (formerly John Hancock Observatory), I felt I was dressed appropriately enough and hungry enough to do justice to the brunch buffet in The Signature Room for $50.  Here's the menu:

And here's what I eat:

I didn't eat oysters while in PEI because I felt they were overpriced (I was spoiled in New Orleans).  I had a few of them here.  Yummy.

1/2 mini bagel with lox and cream cheese.
I/2 order of eggs Benedict, the
most disappointing part of the meal.

I joked with the waiter that these weren't lamb chops as per the menu, but rather sheep chops, because they were so big, as you can see in relation to the lemon (I love the netting over the lemon half, to keep the seeds in, by the way). 

His reply was that, "they are from New Zealand."  They were tasty. 

Here are some of the views, worth the price of admission, in my opinion:

 

The decor is Art Deco:

I was sad when the Blue Jays were eliminated from the MLB playoffs, so in the World Series, which only ended a little over a week prior, I wasn't sure who to cheer for, Cleveland 

so Toronto could say they came second, sort of, or Chicago who hadn't won in so many years.  On this basis I wasn't upset that Chicago won and it was fun to visit the city while everyone was still on a high.  Next stop was Wrigley Field:

I wasn't the only one visiting the neighborhood around the hollowed field, which is undergoing some kind of renovation. 

Next stop was the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership's ground floor museum display.  There were some interesting photographs, artifacts and art pieces.  I don't recall ever seeing a typewriter with Hebrew letters as opposed to English ones.  

The style of typewriter is like the one my father had in his flower shop on which he typed up invoices, quite quickly and accurately although he typed with only a couple of fingers and his thumbs. 

Nearly next door was the Museum of Contemporary Photography, which the Spertus's security guard suggested I visit, because it was still open and free.  I went, but the visit didn't last long because what they had on display was not at all to my taste.

At this point it was time to head to the United Center for the hockey game.  While riding the express shuttle bus, I overheard some American passengers speaking to 3 generations of a family from Newfoundland.  My fellow Canadians were there for the weekend and had also attended the Friday night hockey game.  They are all big Chicago fans.  It's a small city when it just so happened that they were on the same express bus heading back to the train station I was on after the game as well!

As promised, back to the ticket purchase story, I was able to get a really good seat, regularly priced at $260 for $175 on the secondary market, because it was the day of the game. Here's the view from my seat:

It is a nice arena.  They have all their championship banners hanging from the rafters.  A few more current than at the Air Canada Center. 

It was a good game, with Chicago winning by a score of 3 - 2 over Montreal, who tried desperately to tie the game in the last 3 minutes with their goaltender on the bench. 

I found my way safely back to the trailer parked at the golf course, bringing a great day to an end.