Day 5

Wednesday, 11th June

To the Windy City

We didn't sleep long as we had to be up by 6:00am! It was lucky that we did wake up, because the requested alarm call did not materialise! We got out things downstairs, chatted to the guy behind the desk and waited for Dial 7 to arrive, to take us and our things to JFK. A large mini-van turned up at just gone 7:00am and we were away! The journey to the airport was pleasant, with some amusing conversations, mainly regarding terrorists and the US government response - just what a nervous flyer wants before a flight!

We arrived at the JetBlue terminal and checked in and went through security quickly and with no problems. Seems a good set-up. We didn't have to wait long to board the 9:30 flight to Chicago. It was an Airbus A320 and a different configuration to the one they said we would be flying on - so the seat numbers were all out! No problem though, as the flight was hardly full, so people sat, more or less, where they wanted to sit! The seats were leather and there was LOADS of legroom! There were movie/TV screens attached to the seats in front, but you needed to bring your own earphones, so we generally watched the map! There was free coffee and snacks and all was very cozy and nice. The pilot even came out of the cockpit to talk to us! The flight was excellent. Mercifully short (we gained an hour too, as we flew into Central Time!) and with no turbulence. We flew over Lakes Erie and Ontario (maybe a glimpse of Niagara Falls?) before flying over Lake Michigan and landing at Chicago's O'Hare airport, just before 11:00am.

Because it was in internal flight, we had no immigration or customs to go through - so it was just a case of picking up our luggage from the carousel; this didn't take long. Then we went in search of the Go Airport Express, boarded the bus and were easily and quickly transferred into Chicago, at the door of our hotel, the Marriott Residence Inn, River North. We were greeted by Will, who took our bags up to our room! There was a strange setup here. You had to get into a (large) elevator to take you to the main reception floor. On this floor were both the reception desk for the Residence Inn and for the Springhill Suites (slightly cheaper) and, from here, you had to get another lift to your room floor. Anyway, again we were on the 15th floor - this time, room 1502. It was an exceptionally nice room, which we were delighted with. You entered and there was a kitchen, turn the corner and there was a table for eating or laptopping - then you turned another corner and there was the bathroom and the large area with very comfy king bed and sleeper sofa. Everything was brand new and there were windows lining all the walls. The windows were full length, so you really did know you were on the 15th floor - eek, what a drop!

the big black building is the Hancock Tower


you can see the river!










outside the hotel

We decided to orientate ourselves with the city a bit - I got out the map and sorted a circular walk in my head! Firstly, we walked the one block to the Chicago River. It was glorious! Over the bridge and we walked along the East Whacker Drive as far as the Michigan Avenue Bridge, which we crossed over to Michigan Avenue, "the Golden Mile". We had a look at the different stones in the Tribune Tower and then continue along Michigan Avenue, as far as a bank! Hub decided he needed a cashpoint, so he went inside and tried to get some money. However, they wouldn't let him take any out! The kindly bank man allowed us to use their phone to call Lloyds. Apparently, they had put a stop on our account because we were out of the country! They apologised and we finally got our money! We continued up Michigan Avenue, as far as Ontario Street, where we turned off. We found a Trader Joe's and did a little shop. Then we went into the Hard Rock Cafe, where we weren't allowed just a drink ... and then into the Rainforest Cafe, which was filled with waterfalls, chirpings and T-shirts for sale! Hub bought a hat! From there, we turned up North Dearing Street, back to our hotel, and we found a Post Office, where I bought a load of stamps.

the new Trump Tower Hotel, close to our hotel


the river just around the corner from our hotel. Check out the cars parked in the Marina Towers!




Tribune Tower


Michigan Avenue




moon rock at the Tribune Tower


Outside the Rainforest Cafe; he didn't know he was sitting beneath a mushroom!

We went back to camp and down to supper. It wasn't very good tonight - tacos or something other that was black and crispy! Paul went out for a walk (aka McDonalds) and Terry and I had showers and I wrote postcards. Probably we should've checked out the fireworks on Navy Pier tonight (and every Wednesday night), but we were way too tired. But we did go for a short walk beside the river, which was gorgeous with all the lights twinkling. The Weather Channel told us there would be severe storms in Chicago tomorrow, which was rather a bummer.

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[ Day 10 ] [ Day 11 ] [ Day 12 ] [ Day 13 ] [ Day 14 ] [ Day 15 ] [ Day 16 ] [ Day 17 ]
[ Day 18 ] [ Day 19 ] [ Day 20 ] [ Day 21 ] [ Day 22 ] [ Day 23 ] [ Day 24 ] [ Day 25 ] [ Day 26 ]

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