Friday, August 6, 2010

Chicago

A couple of weeks ago we took a little excursion to Chicago with some good friends, Bethany and Mike, who now live in South Carolina. It was great to see them again, and just hang for a couple of days. We started off by camping at the Dunes in Michigan City.


After we set up shop...



it was time to hit the beach. The water was a bit cold. Well, maybe "frigid" would be more accurate. At least it was clean, though (especially considering our scenic view of the famous Gary, Indiana smoke stacks).





All that hypothermia worked up an appetite, so the men went to building a fire. (Nevermind the giant bottle of lighter fluid in the background.)


Smores, anyone?



A little more campfire, then lights out.



In the morning we refueled with a good campfire breakfast (again with the lighter fluid) and some mediocre gas station coffee.



Then it was off to Chicago. Let's make sure we know where we're going, though.


Our first stop: Wrigley! I'm not a huge baseball fan (or sports fan, for that matter), but it was cool just hanging out. We had bleacher seats, which apparently translates to the "party section." I guess the ticket stub should have tipped me off when it read "Bud Light Bleacher Section." It wasn't so bad to start off with, but belligerence gets annoying after nearly six hours of baking in the sun.





After the game we hit up Giordano's for some handcrafted Chicago pizza and brews. Goose Island is good stuff!





Just be sure not to eat too much.


We finished the night by hanging out with Burt Reynolds before calling it day.


The next morning we started our day with the ORIGINAL Pancake House. Accept no substitutes. That was some good stuff. I see you eyeing my chorizo skillet, Bethany.



From there we went our separate ways. Mike and Bethany had some more business in Chicago, and Cara and I wanted to hit up IKEA: the greatest place on Earth.


We really weren't set out for anything in particular, but it's hard not to get inspired to completely revamp a room or two. Since Boston is now a big boy who wears big boy underwear, we thought it would be cool to give him a big boy room. We already have a bed, so we got some cool furnishings and whatnots to make it look pretty cool. I'll be sure to post some before and after photos as soon as we get some paint up and things put together. Had a great time, Mike and Bethany!