Alabama Road Trip Part 6: Chicago

Wednesday was our big Chicago day. We all had things that were at the top our list to see, so we were very busy. Our first stop was the Shedd Aquarium.

We all loved watching this turtle eating his "salad."


The Field Museum of Natural History was right next door. Before we headed over, we took a picture in front of the nice (but cloudy) skyline.


Karl made sure someone took his picture next to Lucy.

Matt and Karl in front of Soldier Field.


In Alabama, we had quickly gotten used to wearing shorts and tank tops. Boy, did that come to a quick end. Chicago was cold and drizzly.


Next, we went to the Adler Planetarium.

Then it was finally time for a break at our hotel. Whew! After a nice rest, we realized we had a hankering for some Chicago-style pizza!

Karl's top priority in Chicago was to go to the top of the Sears (now it's called Willis) Tower. Laura and I also wanted to go up, but Matt got nervous and crabby just driving there. After the St. Louis Arch experience, there was no way we could convince him to go up with us ("I've already done it twice. I don't need to do it again."). Well. He wasn't going to ruin our fun!

We decided to go after dark, when all the city lights would be out, and I'm so glad we waited! There were absolutely no lines (although the doorman said there's often a 2-hour wait just to get to the elevator), so we went zip zip zip right to the 103rd floor. On that floor they have glass-enclosed ledges where you can actually stand out over the city. I'm usually fine as long as I'm in an enclosed space, but I must say that it was eerie to step out and look down onto the street that's hundreds of feet below my shoes.

Laura was a little nervous too, but she was brave and stepped onto the ledges too!

Yesterday we spent the morning at the Museum of Science and Industry, which was at the top of Laura's must-do activities.

This was a display where the "butterflies" would land on your shadow if you stood still.


We watched baby chicks hatching!


It was an exhausting couple of days. By lunchtime, the kids were ready to head for home.

We drove and drove until we reached Wisconsin, and then cheered as we crossed the border in to Minnesota, and then when we turned onto 35, and when we crossed into Chisago County, and then exited at Rush City, and then turned into our garage. We were happy to be home, but a little sad that our fun adventure was over. We had a great time, and the kids were absolute troopers. I guess road trips aren't so bad afterall...