FALL 2024 - Chicago & Lake Michigan Loop (The Chicago Part)

Our next road trip did not include Curiosity or Luke.  We met the kids and cousins in Chicago for a week, and then drove the Lake Michigan Loop (separate Blog post) with Roland & Vivian!  Here is our route:

Since we were going to be adding 2 additional passengers for part of this trip, we had to be somewhat careful about how much we packed in the RAV...

We missed stopping with Curiosity to have lunches on the road, and tried to mimic it with picnics at rest stops.

In Springfield, MO we stopped at Cracker Barrel - it's been YEARS since we ate at one of these!

After "check-in" at Chez Vanessa Lichon's (THANK YOU FOR LETTING US STAY!!!!), we met Sharon at her place in Marina City and went to dinner at Shaw's.  Sharon is a "regular" there and they keep her name on a plate at the front and place it on the table when she makes a reservation - Fancy!

 

We enjoyed our walk to & from Sharon's place - weather was amazing!

Our culinary experiences continued the next day - Tre Dita at the St. Regis Hotel...yikes!  We gained weight on this trip for sure!  Cookies were enjoyed all week!

The kids arrived at midnight, and then got up early in the morning to do the Architectural River Cruise.  Thanks to Sharon, we got a sweet discount, despite the early morning time!  Lou Malnati's afterwards!

The view from Vanessa's condo is amazing!

We loved just hanging out, and I had the opportunity to do an "in person" fitting with the boys and the jackets I am making for them before dinner.

On Sunday, Nancy brought over an amazing spread for brunch and we went on a walk along the river, accessible directly from Harbor Point (Vanessa's condo).

All of this just before everyone else came over for a catered meal that Larry & I organized for everyone thanks to Stephen Lin.  Stephen is the son of David & Rosanna Lin, the couple we purchased Cusriosity from.  He now lives in Chicago and has several jobs, one of which is catering meals (we think he will get a boost in clientele from this dinner...ha!  ha!).

We just love our cousins, and feel blessed to be able to gather and enjoy everyone's company!

 On Monday we walked around Wicker Park:

Dia and I had been reading "Devil in the White City" at the recommendation of her mom.  It is the story about the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago alongside the story of the serial killings that occurred there at the same time.  Both of us wanted to visit Jackson Park, which was the site of the Fair.  This is also the location of the future Obama Library & Museum.

Millenium Park is right across the street from Harbor Point!

Tuesday night's meal was at Bavette's.  We ate there during the week we were in Chicago for Sabrina's wedding and the boys have wanted to go back there ever since!

Everyone loves a good visit to the Aquarium, and Chicago's Shedd is one of the the best!  Thankfully Vanessa had passes for four!

Sian found a great Italian Deli in West Loop!

...and the boys had to have their Sawada Coffee again!

Barry & I volunteered to help Sharon hang a bunch of her artwork up, and we were all invited to take a tour of her condo and rooftop!

No visit to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Art Institute.  Within walking distance to Harbor Point, and passes from Sharon!

What a fantastic week in the city!  Thanks to generous cousins, we were able to have a great family vacation (we had not been all together since Christmas '23)...I just love spending time with "the kids"...can we still call them "kids"??? 😂