The Purple Penguin

Right, got up early and on the road by half past 7. Not a bad a drive, the bit we thought was going to be bad and had taken us over an hour to get through on the way to Kentucky took us 20 minutes at a steady 30 to 40 mph this time. However, just short of the airport (where we were dropping off the car) we got stuck. Never did completely stop and sit thankfully, but did go very very slowly. Never did find out what caused the back up.

Managed to meet up with Dad and Eric and drove back the way we’d just come in to get to Eric and Karen’s house. Nice place in a really nice little village outside Chicago. As Eric drove us to the house we got taken around the town for a short tour. We visited for a bit before heading out to walk along the river side walk into town, stopping at places for drinks and window shopping. Nice relaxing evening watching baseball is the bar trying local beer and food. Joe is enjoying all the sports while I’m bored. So it goes.

Dad and Mary Anne were up early to catch their plane so they all went to the airport. When Karen and Eric got back we headed for the station to catch the train into Chicago. We have now walked quite a bit of downtown Chicago but still haven’t seen much of the city! Lovely architecture, fun parks, and quite a lot to take in. We just walked and looked at things; saw the parks and outdoor sculptures. Quite a lovely city. We went to the Hancock Centre, third tallest building in Chicago. The observation deck costs to go up but we headed for the Signature Bar where you get the view for the cost of an expensive drink. It was quite crowded but we finally got a seat right by the window; however they never came to take our order so after we had a good look at the view and Joe got a few photos we left. Realised we had only a few minutes to catch the next train and the one after that was 2 hours later so Eric grabbed a cab and off we went to Union Station.

Tonight is probably a quiet night in chilling and visiting. Tomorrow Joe and I brave the city on our own.