Chicago Part 1--August '13

Back in August we took our summer trip to Chicago for a weekend (our 2nd of what we intend to be a yearly tradition!).  We got a great deal on a Michigan Ave hotel and had a great time enjoying summer in Chicago.  We drove up after work on Friday afternoon, so we could be up bright and early to enjoy a full day on Saturday.  We stayed through Sunday evening.

In our hotel Friday night:

Saturday was a VERY full day!  We began our morning with a walk around the Hancock building area and enjoyed Glazed & Infused donuts in the courtyard.  Sadly, I don't have pictures of the donuts, I found pictures of the donuts!  We had the most amazing yeast donut filled with a sweet goat cheese that was glazed and also had a raspberry icing.  That may sound strange, but it was so so so amazing!

Layered up for a cool start

Apple fritter, chocolate something, and the best.donut.ever.

Pointing at the birds

Sweet girl

Posing with Daddy

Silly girl!

 Then we were on our way to the next adventure!  Navy Pier.

She loves escalators

Walking with Daddy

Gary and I hadn't been to Navy Pier since college, and this particular weekend was the Tall Ship Festival, which we thought sounded neat!  There was also the Chicago Cup race, the only U.S. stop on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.  We had forgotten how far a walk it is to Navy Pier!  We were working hard to get there, and by the time we arrived, it was getting hot!

No more sweater!

Ready for fun!

We bought our wristbands to enter the Festival and Match Cup section of the Pier and we were off!  First things first, this was vacation--so it was a margarita for me and a beer for Gary.  We learned a lesson here.  Lines are short early in the day (it's 5 o'clock somewhere!), and the Billy Goat down the Pier has cheaper bar prices!  

On a nice stroll!

After traversing the main section of the Pier, it was time to enter the Festival area to check out the Tall Ships.

One of the Tall Ships.  We didn't get the entry tickets, but you could board some of them.

Happy on Daddy's shoulders!

Then, we headed back to the point of the Pier to check out the Match Cup and the boats.  The race had been delayed due to a lack of wind, so we were hoping it would get started soon.  Unfortunately, it wasn't gonna happen, but we hung out a little bit anyway.

Checking out the boats and water.  Her favorite saying from now on this day was, "airplanes fly in the sky. boats go in the water!"

Parked boats instead of racing :(

Climbing the anchor

We had a nice lunch at a seafood restaurant on Navy Pier (can't remember the name, but it was good!), and decided to take the free trolley back to Michigan Ave.  We'd already done SO much walking so far and it was only just after lunchtime!  We had a very full evening yet to come.  So we headed back to our hotel for naps to rest up for Part 2.

Now that's a Bloody.

Face #1...

#2

#3

Waiting for the trolley

Next up, Part 2!  Partying and Pizza