My Kind of Town....... — Patti Part Two

Chicago Is!!! Lucky me!!! I spent Labor Day weekend in Chicago having a fantastic time with my great friend Julie. And she just so happens to live in a state of the art high rise on Lake Shore Drive across the street from Navy Pier. The weather could not have been more perfect - so we spent most of the weekend outside enjoying the fabulous lakefront.

The view from my bedroom every morning!! Hello Chicago!

If you take a trip to Chicago I highly recommend taking the train into the city from either airport. It's very cheap and you avoid the traffic that is constant no matter what time of day or night you arrive.

I flew into Midway so the Orange Line takes you directly into the loop.

I knew I was in the right place - State and Lake!

We got up Saturday and headed right over to Navy Pier. Navy Pier opened in 1916, and is a 3,300 foot long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. When I lived in Chicago 25 years ago it bears no resemblance to what it was like then!! It encompasses more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibition facilities. It is the #1 destination in Chicago and one of the top in the Midwest. Over 9 million visitors a year - so if you are there don't miss it!

It also has a brand new Ferris Wheel which just opened in May 2016 - and Julie has been wanting to ride it. So I agreed even though I am super scared of heights!!

Views from the top! 8 person enclosed gondolas and a very smooth ride - thank goodness!

We got over there before it was super crowded with the holiday - so really had fun browsing around.

Lobster Fest was going on! Not your usual fest food - Whole lobsters, tails, bisque etc. And lots of different boat rides to take including tall ships.

We happened across an ice skating rink sponsored by the Blackhawks - so since my motto is "Just say Yes" when Julie asked me if I wanted to skate you know what I said! We had a blast and got in some good exercise after we got in the groove. It had been years since either of us had been on skates. No broken bones and no falls.

We didn't indulge in the lobster so headed over to the River Walk for a late lunch. Every year that area just expands and gets better and better. Lots of cool restaurants to choose from and since it was so nice we wanted to eat outside.

Chicago Burger - not the healthiest option but delicious!!!

The Melas Fountain named after Nicholas Melas - Commissioner of the Water District from 1962-1992.

Too nice to not keep going so we headed up the lake looking for the big sand volleyball tournament at Oak St. Beach. It was huge! Had a big grandstand for center court and lots of other courts around the perimeter. Really great players from all over the country.

Boat area right off Navy Pier called the Play Pen. You guessed it - Party Central!!

My old building! Lake Shore Drive between Oak St and North Ave.

On our walk we came across something that really touched our hearts. Someone had made a display in the grass of painted rocks that all had positive affirmations written on each one - and then spelled out the word KIND!! Lots of people were stopping and every person left with a smile on their face. Just such a simple but touching way to spread some positive energy in the world.

We concluded a spectacular day by watching the Navy Pier end of season fireworks from Julie's place!

Day 2 started with a great breakfast right in Julie's building on the street level. Wonderful packed restaurant called Kanela. At first they said an hour wait but we got seated in 10 minutes - outside - our luck continued!!

We did have food! Lots of great sweet and savory choices. She said they have a couple of locations in the city so would highly recommend it! We were talking so I forgot to take a picture of the food - sorry.

Then headed out on bikes - rode along the lake past the Aquarium, Field Museum, Soldier Field and down to Hyde Park. Gorgeous the whole way. Since I lived there the entire lake front has been refurbished and made so welcoming and beautiful. It was so fun I'm thinking about maybe getting a bike!

I was thrilled to get to see Buckingham Fountain - one of my favorite landmarks in Chicago. It was dedicated in 1927 and is located in Grant Park. It is one of the largest fountains in the world and was inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles. It operates April to October and has water shows and evening color-light shows. It's a must see if you are in the area!

We headed back to get ready for church and dinner. We attended a jazz service at the Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Ave right across from the John Hancock Building and Water Tower shopping center. Living there I had walked by it hundreds of times but never been inside. Shame on me. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is in the Gothic Revival style. Originally built in 1871 but that's the same year of the famous Chicago Fire so burned down. The existing structure was built in 1874 - so just a few years later. When I travel in Europe I love to visit churches and was reminded that there are lots of beautiful churches here too. It was a lovely service and the singer had a great voice. We could tell she was holding back and when she sang "Eleanor Rigby" was finely able to fully unleash her wonderful voice.

Beautiful courtyard of the church. Amazing stained glass windows too!

Then a delicious dinner at Coco Pazzo Cafe. On St. Claire east of Michigan Ave. Wonderful little Italian restaurant with sidewalk seating. Yes - we would love to eat outside!

Chicken Liver appetizer, Beet salad ( not pictured), Pasta with sausage and Tartufo for dessert!! We split everything! Wine of course!

My last day started with a walk to the best donuts ever!!!

Chocolate for Julie and Buttermilk for me. I don't indulge often but it was worth it!

I needed one more walk on the lake so we headed north and decided to go see if the painted rocks had survived the weekend. We wondered if people walking by might have started taking ones that really spoke to them - which might have been the intention all along. We found them and they appeared to be all there for the most part - but were just in a jumble. So we decided to make another word with them.

Hoping to spread that message to everyone walking by - because it is a choice!

On our way back Julie was inspired to do this......

After a quick shower we headed over to Pinstripes to meet Robin for a fun lunch!

Chop Salad for me, Cobb for Robin and Caprese for Julie. And a bottle of wine - because I'm on vacation! And celebrating time with great and special friends!

To quote Evelyn Lauder - "I've always believed that whatever you are when you are young, as you age, you become more so."

I've been so fortunate to have so many wonderful fun friends over the years, and they continue to enrich my life and become even better every year! Thanks for being the most fabulous hostess Julie!