Downtown
Trip Start
Mar 21, 2010
1
16
20
Trip End
Apr 29, 2010
Where I stayed
Still at the Courtneys!
Chicago, Illinois
Friday, April 16, 2010
We have had the most gorgeous weather, Wednesday and Thursday especially. We decided to take advantage of it and headed into the city. It only takes about 25mins from Jeff and Jenni's house to drive in when the traffic is running smoothly.
We got in and went straight to Harpo Studios. Amazingly we got a free park right at the door, so we could get out and take a walk around. There were cackling women everywhere with bags of goodies and wearing "tickled pink" hats. It was pretty obvious they had just come out of a taping of Oprah. We walked around looking in doors and the under roof garage but alas there was no sign of Oprah anywhere BUT I know she was around and that was exciting enough!!!
We then realized there was an Oprah Store across the street so of course we had to have a look! I asked the woman at the door if I was right about the taping and she told me was. They tape the show Wed, Thurs and Fri afternoons and we had just arrived as one had just finished. There was mayhem in the store with frantic women everywhere! I can't say I am a huge fan but it is still exciting to be able to see where such a widely known show is taped etc. I did buy a top though which was reduced down to $8....bit of a souvenir! Jenni has had her name down for tickets since she arrived but as it is a lottery system, who knows when or even if she will get to go. Hope she does.
We drove down to Millennium Park which is just up from the Buckingham Fountain and a lovely big open air concert location. It has a grid like "roof" over the grass with heaps of speakers attached so I think the carols would be spectacular there! There are numerous water features, an icerink (winter of course) and lovely places to sit and relax. The day was perfect so there were people everywhere.
We walked along Michigan avenue till we found the Route 66 Begin sign. Now we have seen the End sign on Santa Monica Pier California and the Beginning in Chicago. Long drive!
We went back to Navy Pier at 5:30 to take the kids to The Childrens Museum. Every Thursday evening they have it open free to everyone from 5-8pm so of course we took advantage of this! (saved us $40) The kids had a ball. Everything is hands on like a science works. Hudson had come in with us so that added to Brodie and Madison's fun; they are all getting on really well. We left Jen at home to do our housework!
We had to have McDonalds for tea, much to my disgust, as that was the only eatery place open at 8pm in the Navy Pier food court. I must explain, I said at the beginning of this trip that we were NOT going to eat at McDonalds. We have eaten there far too much for my liking! Vegas had to be the classic though they had a 50 McNugget meal deal. 50 McNuggets, 2 large fries and 2 large bottomless drinks for $15. We haven't seen it anywhere else.
Today we had a slow start to the day. I skyped mum and dad early, which was late for them and I woke them up! Sorry mum and dad! Tom wasn't feeling 100%, a bit like the flu coming on. Too many late nights and the radical changes in temperature I think. The kids enjoyed going down to the cinema room and watching a movie.
We then went out to the Chicago Outlets to have a look around. We got Madi a few pairs of shoes to do her next year and a couple of other things. We got home in time for a nice home cooked meal of homemade sausage rolls and vegies.
Jeff got back from Los Angeles around 9:45pm, he has been away since early Wednesday morning and is off to Nashville Tuesday morning, only this time he is taking Tom with him. They go Tuesday morning, stay Tuesday night and get back Wednesday night. I am not sure what Tom is going to do while Jeff has his meetings but I do know that they will occupy themselves on Tuesday night by going to the ice hockey playoffs between Nashville and Chicago Blackhawks, Toms newly adopted team!
I am looking forward to tomorrow. It will be a big day. We are taking the 2hr drive up to Andrews University for church (Dwight Nelson is preaching, I checked) then we head up to Battle Creek (1hr further) to go to the Adventist heritage centre followed by another hour drive up to Grand Rapids to go to the Amy Grant concert at 8pm. Luckily driving directly back is only about 3hrs not 4 but it will be a long day none-the-less. Crossing into Michigan is a different time zone. They are 1 hour ahead of Chicago which will work in our favour coming home, not so much in the morning though!
We were in a bit of a dilemma, Amy Grant or the Gaithers. Both are playing at Grand Rapids in different venues. Having grown up listening to Amy has made me curious though so she won out this time!
Must sign off and get some sleep. Morning comes too quickly!!
Comments
Hi Everybody,
thank you for your blog Janene and keeping us up-to-date with all that you are getting up to. Thank you for your call at 3:00am Tom! I heard the phone in the distance and just ran to answer it before I had fully woke up, I was standing with the phone in my hand pressing the answering machine button instead of just turning the phone on! It was exciting to hear that you had spoken to Dwight and even mentioned my name and getting an autograph for me! How honoured am I? I am eager to hear all about the University area and of course the church service, where were you sitting? I might just happen to see you on one of his broadcasts. Does he look as hansome as he looks on TV? I think that I would have had to see the Gaithers on Saturday night, I bet the price of the tickets aren't nearly as expensive as they are over here. You are so blessed experiencing all these good things. Looking forward to your next entry, God Bless, Love, Mum. xxxx
Hi Tom and Janene - love reading about all of your adventures and will certainly look forward to seeing photos. I have just bought a new Amy Grant CD which I love so I am sure the concert was great. Enjoy all that God brings into your lives - big hugs to the children, M xxx