We landed at O’Hare at night. My fear of flying has subsided a lot in the past year or two, and was helped even more this time as Brian offered his hand to squeeze during takeoff. That’s when it’s worst for me.
After fetching our rental car, we set off for the Denny’s in Oakbrook Terrace, where we met up with Joe. Joe’s company has him set up in a fancy residence hotel there. It’s the suburbs of Chicago; all wide streets and office buildings and chain restaurants. Anyway he let us sleep on the daybed in his room.
Early in the morning, a flock of geese woke me up. Then Joe’s alarm. He had to leave for a flight to Michigan for the weekend. I vaguely remember him leaving. The geese settled in the small pond outside between the hotel and the parking structure. They bleated, and their voices reverberated off of the walls.
It was sunny and lovely. Brian and I got up and took our time getting ready. We arranged to meet my friend Leo at 2pm down at the Art Institute Museum. I had my introduction to toll roads. Forty cents to pass into Chicago. I suppose it makes sense, as the highways in the Midwest endure a much harder beating than out here, where it never snows or even freezes.
We approached the city, the long and tall skyline a colorless gray against the sky. Suddenly the highway just became a boulevard, and we were slipping beneath the behemoth of the Post Office and into downtown. I admired all the old brick buildings, ornate facades, the tall public library. Lack of earthquakes helps cities retain this character, I think.
We drove around awhile before finally reaching the Lakeshore and parking in a garage. Goofed around on the steps of the Museum, then Leo arrived and we went for lunch at this old classy Germanic joint that served an all-meat menu. Sausage, steak, you name it. I decided on French Dip. I was not disappointed.
There was less than an hour to take in the Art Institute, so we stuck around the Impressionists. Saw the famous Seurat painting, some van Goghs, and a huge Caillebotte. Next time I hope to be able to see a lot more of this place.
Leo took us on a nice stroll around Lakeshore Park, where we fed some tame squirrels, then we headed out to his hood to get ready for the WhiteSox game.
The game was fun in spite of the loss… Did you know that you can buy corn sliced off the cob and dressed with salt, butter, and other condiments at WhiteSox Park? Also they have churros, keilbasa, and hot chocolate. No garlic fries, of course. Our seats were very good and a few foul balls headed near our section during the game — though none actually in our section.
After the game, Leonard and I headed back to Albany Park to meet back up with Brian and his Chicago pals. We just chilled out in the living room late into the night, but had to go to sleep around midnight due to the early start we needed in order to make it to Michigan by the following afternoon.
TO BE CONTINUED