Going to Chicago

DAY 12 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

The Zion train station is just a mile or two from the campground at Illinois Beach State Park.  We caught a mid-morning commuter into Chicago. Fortunately, the coffee peddler manning the station taught us to read the schedule so we could figure out where to go and when to return.  And, the weather was perfect for a day of sightseeing in the city - a light breeze with a bright and sunny sky.

Our foursome in Chicago

Becky and John riding the commuter train into Chicago

Before we left Ogilvie Transportation Center, we purchased tickets for the Big Bus, an open top, hop-on-hop-off circuit rider.  We walked several blocks to the first stop to board.  We were happy to ride and look, listening to the tour guide narration so we'd know what we were looking at.  So much concrete and glass. Such narrow streets.  So many vehicles.  We were appreciative of the bus ride!

The handsome Irish exchange student Big Bus employee provided these two with some sunglasses for the bus ride.

Buildings, buildings and more buildings and some green space

The architectural features were nice, but it was the lakeside that drew "ahhs" from our group.  Aqua blue water. Sailboats and tour boats.  Such a beautiful sight.

The water was gorgeous.

We ate lunch - pizza!- at Giordano's on Navy Pier, and afterwards walked it off with a stroll around the pier before re-boarding the Big Bus.  Since water has been the theme of this trip, we also walked along the riverfront, watching kayaks and tour boats moving up the river.

Walking along Navy Pier

Lighthouse in the Chicago harbor

Wrigley Field also was a must-see since we had the baseball coach with us.  We boarded the red line subway for a ride to Addison station, then walked up the block for a photo opp in front of the station. No tours today; crews were readying the facility for tonight's James Taylor concert.

The coach is satisfied - he has visited Wrigley Field

Time was ticking away; we barely got a drink in the pub across the street before we had to race back to the station to return to downtown in time to catch the train back to Zion.  Not all departing trains stop in Zion, so missing the one would mean several hours before another would head that direction. We took only part of the directions another rider gave us: get off at Lake station; we ignored "catch the 151 bus to Ogilvie" and, instead, walked. And walked. And walked.  Four blocks one way and five the other, I think.  The streets were crowded at this hour, unlike how quiet they were when we had arrived mid-morning.

We caught our train and made it back to Zion with daylight to spare.  We admired the party being held in our train car by some regulars.  Apparently, this foursome rotates responsibilities: on this occasion, one gregarious gentleman, bearing large packages, reserved two rows for his guests, and then served beer, cookies, and newspapers.

Glad we went, but happy that we don't have to live and work in the city.

Two Great Lakes and the Land Between

Day 11 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

Jamie snapped this awesome photo of the Aerial Lift Bridge last night from the steps of our camper at the Lakeside Boat Basin.

Yesterday's overcast sky and cool wind gave way to sunny blue skies this morning in Duluth, MN on the shore of Lake Superior.  The riggings on the sailboats in the marina jingled in the breeze like windchimes.

The view from our camper this morning

Our view at the marina

We pointed our compass southwest; we're headed home, but not without some sightseeing along the way. Today's destination is Lake Michigan.

What's a trip through Wisconsin without a cheese stop?  We found Miller's Cheese House in Rice Lake, WI, just a mile or so off the highway.  We sampled and sampled and sampled, before finally selecting some take-home goods: dill pickle cheddar, tomato basil cheddar, cheddar horseradish and cheddar onion spreads, landjaeger, creamy pecan caramel fudge, and coconut almond ice cream.

Miller's Cheese House in Rice Lake, WI

Sampling the goods at Miller's Cheese House

Further down the road, we located the Lienenkugel's brewery in Chippewa Falls, where we (Becky and I; not our drivers!) sampled several of their brews.  I've never been a beer drinker, so I didn't really like them, but the Berry Weiss was at least fruity.  Honey Weiss, Watermelon Shandy, Grapefruit Shandy, Sunset Wheat, Wisconsin Red Pale Ale, Royal Nektar -- they all sound so interesting, and for beer enthusiasts, they are quite tasty. I just like the packaging!

Leinenkugel's Brewerey in Chippewa Falls, WI

Water rushes over rocks in the river in Chippewa Falls near the brewery

Daddy had recommended we visit Williams Bay and Lake Geneva; years ago, he and mama visited there and loved it.  I was pleased that our route took us through there today.  Though we didn't stop, the view of the lake was beautiful and the streets looked like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Lake Geneva, WI

Lake Geneva, WI

After an extra-long day of crossing Wisconsin from the northwest corner to the southeast corner, we arrived at our campground, Illinois Beach State Park.  The sites are quite large, making it easy to situate our campers.  We are right on the beach at Lake Michigan; I'm listening to the sound of waves crashing as I write tonight.

Of course, this beach doesn't begin to compare to our favorite Florida white sand beaches, but it is amazing to see this gigantic body of fresh water.  Though we are about an hour's drive (not sure if that includes traffic!) north of Chicago, we could see some of the city skyline from the shore at dusk.

I'm still awestruck by how late the sky remains bright; we were on the beach taking photos again tonight at 9:00 PM.

Lake Michigan

Jamie and John on the shore of Lake Michigan

City skyline from the beach on the Lake Michigan