Chicago - Day 2

Sunday 24 July

0730 - PUN got up. I didn't. He'll have to fill you in on this segment.

1000 - I got up. We went to Starbucks. Starbucks in Chicago doesn't even sell Diet Coke in cans or bottles. I got a bagel.

1130 - We went back to the Museum Campus, this time to the Adler Planetarium. Our City Pass saved us a little time in line, and got us one "show". We wanted to see two - Race to the Edge of the Universe and Stars of the Pharoahs, so we paid extra for that. The exhibits were pretty good, with a nice amount of hands on stuff. Probably more aimed at the younger set, but still enjoyable for adults.

1530 - Linked up with a FFFer - FlopperTopper! We walked from the Planetarium to the Aquarium area and bought tickets for the water taxi to cut across the shoreline to Navy Pier. It was a scorcher of a day 102F, the hottest it's been in Chicago in 10 years. We walked around the pier for a bit, but were very happy to see an air-conditioned exhibit hall with lots of stained glass. The stained glass was very nice, and I learned quite a bit, but the main attraction, I think was the A/C. There was a private event at the grand ballroom at the end of the pier, so we couldn't get in to see that. I don't know if you can at other times, but we couldn't. The pier was pretty cool - lots of restaurants, cruise ships, a Canadian Navy vessel (we'd wondered about all the cute Canadian sailors in uniform about town). There's a Ferris Wheel, and other midway type attractions. We went to a restaurant called Riva's which was very good.

1930 - After dinner, we walked around the pier for a while, then decided to head to the Hancock Observatory on top of the Hancock Building (a.k.a. Big John) We got up to the top of the Observatory shortly after 9 PM, just before sunset, and so we got to look out over a sunlit Chicagoscape, and then see the city inlights. Pretty cool!

2130 - We walked Flopper Topper back to the Navy Pier, and then headed back to the hotel. I guess we got there about 11 PM, but were still hot and sticky (Chicago doesn't cool off at night like Amarillo!) and used the wimpy shower in our room (almost no water pressure at all) before turning in for the night.

Flopper Topper was fun to hang out with, and we had a good time with him. Pictures to follow!