Chicago,day three

Woke to the boom of thunder, followed by lightening and more thunder, and poring rain. Rain let up and the sun made an appearance, so did the steamy temps. We started our day off at Starbucks before hitting the Magnificent Mile for some shopping. Yes, shopping! We wound our way through shops and streets eventually making our way to Ed Debevic's diner. A diner where the wait staff abuses the patrons and they dance on the counter. The hot dogs are 1/2 pounders with the works and they serve the world's smallest hot fudge sundae (served in an egg cup). Room hadn't been made up when we returned at 3:30pm, really no reason for this kind of service, we left this morning by 9am! At the bar waiting and tonight we're off to Andy's Jazz Club.

Sent from my iPad

Ed Debevic's

Chicago, day two

We're staying at the James Hotel, Ontario St./ Rush. Nice boutique hotel close to shopping and within walking distance to Navy Pier, Millennium Park. Today we slept in and then checked with concierge about stuff to keep us occupied. We then walked to Navy Pier, rides, amusements, children's museum, and restaurants on the lake. Ate lunch at Harry Caray's Tavern and then went on a lake tour, trying to cool down. Very hot and humid here. Met up with the girls at hotel bar. Dinner at David Burke, excellent, and then went to Second City. Funny, irreverent, and the most uncomfortable chairs I've ever sat in. Taxi ride from hell back to hotel, started raining during dinner but had let up while we were at the show. Tucked in for the night listening to some ferocious thunder!

Sent from my iPad

Training It

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. To be honest I have done some traveling I haven't written about. There was a baptism and some baseball games back east earlier this year. So I'm on my way to Chicago and just to do something different I'm going by train. The California Zephyr, San Francisco to Chicago in only two and a half days! Yikes what was I thinking, adventure, timeless travel. Well it's not the Orient Express and train cabins in the movies seem so much larger. So far all the service crew have been wonderful, my bathroom is a wee bit small not much more than toilet width (but at least I don't have to go down the hall), and what passes for a shower isn't much more than the spray hose of my kitchen sink at home! Thank god for my iPad,iPod,iPhone,and ATT service! The Sierra Nevada mountains are gorgeous and the climb up them via train is a very different experience than by automobile. First you're not spying for highway patrol and then you don't have all those crazy drivers to deal with, I am wondering if once I get off the train I'll be able to walk a straight line. I'm looking forward to being rocked to sleep, like a baby, will let you know if I get tossed out of bed.
So I tried posting this the other day and found a glitch between iPad and blogger. Figured it out and hopeful that this will work.
Meanwhile made it to Chicago,train was two hours late,couldn't get into Union Station for another thirty minutes. Had a fabulous dinner at Alinea ( would highly recommend if you're in Chicago) 9:30pm and rolled into bed at one in the morning! Still rocking from the train ride. I am not a train person, at least not long distance!

Sent from my iPad

Home at last, even with Air Force One delaying my take-off; from sister's text message she got home smoothly as well. I'm home watching the men's final! I am playing tennis tomorrow at 9am, oh god, but must straighten house before cleaners come. I know what you're thinking but if they can't find the floor how are they to clean it?! I'm afraid to ask "what's for dinner" because I think they'll turn to me for the answer. Will post some of our tennis pics when I get settled.

So everything got screwed up with the rain. Saturday started out cloudy and just got worse as the day went on. We spent around six hours sitting in the rain waiting for tennis and finally gave up around 6pm. Ended up seeing the Serena/Kim debacle on the tube snug and cozy in our beds. Today we saw the men's semis and the ladies final and got in around midnight. I don't know how I'm ever going to get back to my ol' routine, I don't think anyone at home will keep me company until one in the morning!