We left beautiful Toronto and had an easy flight to ORD.
Until we landed and were driven out to the plane parking lot because our gate had a plane needing maintenance. Nothing you can do but wait even though we had a tight schedule to meet our cousin Denise in Deerfield.
Arrive at the gate. Get our bags. Jump in our reserved ride. TRAFFIC to the city is stopped. Patience…our driver was Luigi and his father was from Modena. Ahhh land of the most amazing balsamic ever and close to Parma land of wonderful parmigiana regiana….
He got on and off the highway getting us to our hotel as fast as possible. Good man!!
We checked in through our bags in the room and hit State Street to snag a cab to Union Station. No taxis and traffic stopped everywhere and horns are honking everywhere.
We walk a few blocks and start to see a sea of Navy & orange with 🐻 jerseys. Oh no they’re playing Thursday night football is Soldiers Field.
We finally see a taxi and he’s a crotchety dude made about everything and whipping us all over the back seat. Finally we get out at the train station. We missed our planned train but there’s always another one.
We take the slow stopping train to Deerfield. After years & years of riding the metra train to work daily we looked at each other and at the same time said “I do NOT miss this one bit!”
We hopped off the train and walked to meet our sweet cousin. It was so nice to catch up and laugh and laugh some more. Denise & her adorable family live in Galway. She travels internationally for work and the stars were aligned for this lovely chance meeting. We loved every moment!!! 🥰
It’s nice to be back in the city. We had a good breakfast and took a walk around. This is an awesome city, the architecture is unique and fascinating. We have a tour planned…
Stopped at Marshall Fields (🤪Macys) and next store was RAYGUN my favorite tee shirt shop from Des Moines. How cool – this shirt in the window grabbed my attention
Tonight we get to meet Sally & Lil at the stadium for a Blackhawks game. Excited to see some hockey!!!!
Jeff said we have to visit our special place, THE DONUT VAULT!!!! It’s early so there shouldn’t be a line around the block. The last time I was here was June 2013 on my last day of work and it was a spectacular day.
We had a family day planned for Lincoln Park Zoo. It’s a beautiful fall day in Chicago. A few favs
We were held hostage in the parking lot because of a run in Chicago. Guess they forgot to notify the zoo parking peeps. So we waited until we were released almost 45 minutes later. A bit of a mess in miscommunication. After all of our travels you gotta have patient panties.
Next up our long anticipated day at the Obama Presidential Library. I don’t have enough words to describe this emotional visit and the love and respect we have for our 44th President, his incredible wife Michelle, family and his very qualified administration.
Key Accomplishments of Barack Obama
Obama’s presidency was marked by several landmark achievements.
- Affordable Care Act — This landmark legislation expanded healthcare coverage to millions of Americans, significantly reducing the uninsured rate.
- Economic Recovery — Implemented measures that helped the U.S. recover from the Great Recession, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
- Nobel Peace Prize — Awarded in 2009 for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation.
- LGBTQ Rights — Became the first sitting president to publicly support same-sex marriage, promoting equality.
- Climate Change Initiatives — Launched the Clean Power Plan and played a key role in the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.
Much of it has to do with where we are today 😡
New Chicago Public Library Branch
Lovely campus, library, restaurant and gift shop. Time to enter HOPIUM
Before it became the Cheesecake Factory designed by Liberace
Inside the middle drawer a letter from President Bush…when decency reigned
Michelle’s exquisite dresses as FLOTUS
View from the top
Our 44th President was a caring man, a decent man that loved our country. He gave me HOPE.
Today I have hope and look for a brighter tomorrow.
Don’t 👻 VOTE!
Last day was a very special day including a visit from Randy & Michael, our buddies that we met in Scotland. It’s kind of cool when you meet new friends that you know will be in your life for a long time. Our buddies are amazing guys and they came to spend our last day in Chicago with us.
We took an architectural boat tour on the Chicago river and saw all the gorgeous new buildings and the fabulous old ones too.
Ended our evening with dinner at Millers Pub and a visit to the Red Head Piano bar
Tomorrow we make our last leg ✈️ ride to Arizona.
After all of our adventures and experiences it will be nice to return
And we’ve gotta vote and read my new book. I hope our democracy survives….I have HOPE!!!
