This year, Anna's birthday was celebrated in Chicago, the place of her birth. Bill and I did the math and figured that it had been 21 years since we had been back to this fabulous city where we started out as a young, married couple. That was back in 1990, where our new life started in a tiny little apartment on Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. The kitchen was so small that you couldn't open the dishwasher and fridge at the same time! But somehow we made it work! Here we are in front of 1960 Lincoln Avenue.
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| 1960 Lincoln Ave. |
We arrived at the Palmer House hotel on Saturday (grand, old hotel with free breakfast - gorgeous, remodeled rooms) and started our trek into Millennial Park and down Michigan Ave, taking in the sights.
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| Gold Elevator at the Palmer House |
Anna had a list of everything that she wanted to see - which included the hospital where she was born, Bill's first apt on Elm Street, Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park zoo, and finally our old apartment. By the time we made it back down Lake Shore Drive to Gino's East for dinner, we had walked 11 miles! HOLY SMOKES! Our feet were killing us, but we were having so much fun. Deep dish pizza at Gino's was just what the doctor ordered. Here are some pics:
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| At the airport, super excited! |
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| Gino's East |
After dinner, we made our way to the John Hancock Tower where we got a table at the 95th bar and had drinks while looking out at the beautiful, twinkling lights of the city.
The next day was a day-long visit at the Art Institute (see my earlier blog for reviews on our visit). Amazing works! Thai food at Star of Siam and a night at Navy Pier completed the day. Weather was absolutely perfect every day and the city felt safe, was clean, gorgeous (flowers everywhere) and filled with European tourists with their families, taking in the sights at all hours. It was very different from what I remembered from years ago. The city has a more global, cosmopolitan feel, and is certainly more family oriented. Not without its problems, of course, but really wonderful!
Here we are in Grant Park at the Buckingham Fountain. A quick Uber ride took us to Lincoln Park where we visited with old friends (such a delight!) and then it was on to Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs, and finally a viewing of our old condo on Waveland Ave, right near Lake Shore Drive. Still looks gorgeous!
The Willis Tower was a highlight, looking at the city from the top of one of the world's tallest buildings. The Willises are certainly making their mark - they are erecting towers in our name! 311 S Wacker is across the street, my old home at Freeborn & Peters, attorneys at law. More pizza followed at Giordano's.
Belmont Harbor, birthday dinner at Trattoria No. 10 (acorn & butternut squash ravioli), and finally...
HAMILTON!
A perfect vaca with some of my favorite people! Happy birthday to my dear, sweet Anna! Couldn't imagine spending my first trip back to Chicago after so many years with anyone else (other than your brother - who will get the same treatment once he graduates). Love to you! ❤❤
