Chicago Trip Part One

So, one little week off from blogging turned into a whole month. But thanks to a little nudge from a particular boyfriend, I am back on the blogging train. I don't have too much to report from being gone; however, I did visit Chicago for work and I had a lovely time there.

I have never spent a lot of time in Chicago. When I was little and we were visiting my parents' family in Milwaukee we would fly in to Ohare since there was no direct flight from Sacramento. I have very vivid memories of thinking that the moving walkway light installation at the airport was awesome, but that was really all the time I spent in Chicago as a child. I finally did manage to visit the city in college, once again with my family, but I don't really remember much beyond shopping along the Magnificent Mile and visiting the Museum of Science and Industry (which I would recommend).

So, this was really my first grown-up visit to Chicago. Like I said, I was technically working so I didn't get to do all-tourist-all-the-time stuff, but I did manage to fit in a few sightseeing excursions.

On day one, a Wednesday, I took an early flight out of DC and arrived at Ohare at about 10am. The conference wasn't getting underway until about 3pm so I knew I had a little wiggle room in my schedule. I took the metro (Venta? L-train?) from the airport to my hotel, The Millennium Knickerbocker. Yes, my work would have paid for a cab, but I actually like taking public transit in new cities. It helps me get oriented to where things are and, believe me, there is no quicker way to learn where you are then when you are stranded at a subway stop in the middle of the night somewhere in Queens because you took the express train by accident and you really, really, would prefer to be somewhere--anywhere--besides stranded at a subway stop in the middle of the night. You will never accidentally take an express train again. (Yes, NYC reference but I think it is appropriate here).

Anyway, I took the train and managed to switch lines at the correct stop and everything. I made it to the hotel and caught up on some work before heading out on a run during my lunch break. My hotel was really close to the lake so I figured I would go and check that out for my run. Google Maps looked like there was probably some sort of running path and with some quick directions from the bellhops I headed out on a lovely run along Lake Michigan. I ended up stopping a few times to take photos because it really was so beautiful and the weather was perfect.

Literally 2 blocks from my hotel. Awesome.

After the run I headed to Epic Burger. I had walked by the place with all my luggage while on the way to my hotel so I made an effort to remember where it was so I could return for lunch.

It was a little hard to figure out how to order since you literally just walk up to the kitchen and tell the people what you want, but after I worked out the ordering, my grilled cheese with fries was AMAZING. I mean, is there anything better than grilled cheese? I don't even really miss hamburgers because grilled cheese are so delicious and satisfying. (Confession: sometimes I think about In-N-Out and whether I should talk myself in to eating one next time I'm home)

After lunch it was conference time. I pretty much was busy with conference things for the rest of the day and for most of the next day (Thursday). However, I did manage to take a couple of hours between the conference program and the scheduled dinner on Thursday to take a walk down Michigan Avenue and see the sites. I stopped by the Sears Tower just to see how much they charged for going to the top. It was $18. That, combined with my intense fear of heights, was enough to deter me, but I could definitely be convinced if I had been with someone else. I walked about a mile or so down to Millennium Park.

Smudgy Selfie at Cloud Gate

That park is awesome! Obviously, Cloud Gate is really cool and looks like a giant bean, but also the amphitheater was massive and the gardens and art installations were fun to walk around as well. In general, I was really impressed by the architecture in the city in general and how Millennium Park really took the time to plan some breathtaking vistas of the city. Props to the park planners on that one.

On my walk back to the hotel I stopped by Garrett's Popcorn--obvi. I actually had not even planned on getting popcorn, I mean, I was about to go to dinner, but the smell from Garrett's is so intoxicating and it wafts up the street and follows you until you succumb to its cheddar-y, caramel-y goodness. The small bag was HUGE which I was very excited about.

I got the Chicago mix, which is both cheddar and caramel popcorn mixed together. It is a winning combination. You cannot go wrong with a salty and sweet combo in my book. Unfortunately, my popcorn was not warm when I received it, which really dampened my spirits, but it did still taste delicious and it was still delicious when I kept eating it for the next three days... possibly for dinner one night.

So that was the first two days of my trip to Chicago. I took a half day on Friday, my last day in town, and will let you know all about my Chicago adventures on that day in my next post! Glad to be back in the blogosphere! :)

In other news, anyone doing Pile on the Miles in November? I am definitely in and will have a post about it soon!