We are driving into Chicago on I-90/94 from Indiana. The Sears Tower is the black building on the left. The last time we were in Chicago, except for flying through, was 26 years ago for the wedding of friends that you will see further down this narrative. When we lived in Indiana and Illinois, we came here often. It is one of our favorite cities because wonderful shopping, very interesting architecture, fabulous museums, great shows, delicious food, is so walkable, and is the place where our love affair began.
What a remarkable time to be in the city. Spring has sprung and there are tulips EVERYWHERE on Michigan Ave.
The Shops at North Bridge is a fun mall on the south end of The Magnificent Mile. The higher end establishments are on the north end. We were on a mission to find Ted a sport jacket that wouldn't wrinkle for our trip to Great Britain. We found one, but not here.
My family moved to central Illinois when I was nine. The Chicago Tribune was the newspaper my parents read every Sunday. This is the headquarters for the Trib. It is on the south end of The Magnificent Mile. Note the odd colored stones surrounding the doorway arch. They are pieces of famous buildings ranging from the great pyramid of Giza to A number of historic palaces and fortresses.
Don't you love this rendition of American Gothic? It sits next to the Tribune building near the Chicago River, for those of you who know the area. Note the suitcase at their feet. We think that they have come to visit the big city.
This is the Chicago River at the south end of The Magnificent Mile.
The Water Tower was the only public building that survived the 1871 Chicago Fire. It is on The Magnificent Mile near the John Hancock Building which is in the next photo.
This photo of the window of The American Girl store is for our nieces, Sarah and Lauren, who were fans when they were children. I had so much fun buying American Girl gifts and making doll clothes for them
Oak St. is the cross street at the north end of The Magnificent Mile. It has high end shops in architecturally interesting buildings.
All the new high rises since we were here last were amazing. This photo gives a little sense of the city canyons that have been created by these buildings.
I love this clever pet holder. The basket contained a nice cushy blanket. 
This was once the home of a Chicago liquor and bank baron and is now an art museum at Erie and Rush Streets. There are quite a few buildings like this peppered throughout the more modern high rises.
Ted in his wrinkle-free jacket as we are headed to a local lunch hang-out called Bijan Bistro. It was very Chicago. We loved the dark wood and intimate atmosphere. The food was yummy and cheap.
This is a steak and seafood restaurant. The fencing around the patio is made of the grill grating. 
Eat your heart out, Brent. Here is Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears.
Cousin Julie and her husband, Joe, own two hotels in Countryside/LaGrange, IL. They put us up in the one above (Best Western) and treated us to a fabulous dinner in the one below (Holiday Inn), which is next door. Joe's parents started the hotel business and the menu contained dishes made from Joe's mom's recipes. Ted said his duck was the best he had ever eaten and that is saying something! 
This photo does not do this art justice. Julie is a very talented professional photographer and her work hangs throughout the hotel. She has had many exhibits. If you wish to see her work, go to http://www.indigenousvision.com/.
Ted and I with Julie and Joe in their restaurant. Their son, Justin, joined us for the majority of dinner. What a delight it was to learn about his musical talent and other interests. Their daughter, Rachel, is finishing her degree in Art as I write this.
Our daughter, Erin, works for The Marriott. She really hooked us up with a very attractive suite at the Renaissance near O'Hare. Since we have to be without our coach, these are pretty nice digs.
This is one of two of the famous lions in front of The Art Institute in Chicago. Ted and I visited this when we first met and began to fall in love as we discovered who we were during our tour.
Millenium Park is north of The Art Institute on Michigan Ave. This is one of two towers featuring videos of the faces of many Chicagoans. See the next photo for what happens if you wait a few minutes.
This young fellow almost stole the show from the faces. The leg belongs to his mother who was following him taking, what we suspect, were some pretty amazing photographs.
The sculpture roof of the Pritzker Music Pavilion can be seen in Millenium Park. The seating can only be seen by walking up to a railing and looking down.
Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor is called The Bean by locals. We are amazed that someone could think to make this mirror in this shape and then realize that it would reflect visitors and views of the city just the way it does. What a wonderful example of the melding of art and science. 
Time marches on. Marshall Field was the icon of shopping in Chicago when I was nine. It exuded richness in decor and had items that couldn't be found anywhere else. The windows at Christmas time were amazing. Now it is now a nondescript Macy's. 
Looks like at Matchbox car carrier. It is the garage of the building below and located on the Chicago River. Ted and I think that a car flew off of this and into the river in stunt for a Bruce Willis movie. 
This is one of several places that serve delicious Chicago deep-dish pizza. We ate ours under an umbrella in the rain on this patio. The rain just added to the enjoyment. We took the subway to see the Jersey Boys. If you get to see this story about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, do it. The language was often R rated, but the music was fabulous. The audience entered quietly and with refinement. They left singing and doing a conga line down the aisle.
Santorini's is located in Greek town. The Greek seafood and lamb were DELISH! Judd and Kitty chose the site well.
It was a warm evening so the four of us went to the shore of Lake Michigan and talked and talked with this view in the background. Pretty cool, huh?
We are long suffering Cubs fans, but here is Comisky Park home of the White Sox.
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