Saturday the Sun was shining...

After spending the night on daughter's dorm chair/couch, I decided to head up to one of my favorite places in the city, the Chicago History Museum, formerly the Chicago Historical Society on Clark at North Avenue. For those of you who know, if you start off at Congress & Michigan, you've got a long way to go. The morning was cold but sunny and a stroll up Michigan Avenue is a joy on such a day. My walking shoes were cowboy boots which normally are quite comfortable believe it or not. My pace is more like a commuter clip as opposed to a tourist stroll so off I went. Before I knew it I was at the river, hands freezing, feet getting a good pounding from the pavement. When the sun bounces off of the magnificent Gothic structures that line Michigan Avenue at the river, the affect is spectacular. Forget that the wind was living up to the legend, there is little that can prevent you from enjoying the sight except maybe one excruciatingly sore foot. I knew I had to give in and either find a bus or grab a cab. Not knowing the bus system well enough I opted for a cab. Thank goodness because I had a few miles more to walk to the museum. The museum is currently celebrating Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln so the permanent Lincoln exhibit was even more extensive with one of the 5 handwritten copies of the Gettysburg Address. Wow. Also on hand was a stunning exhibit entitled Chic Chicago with gowns on display from the late 1800's to modern day. Gorgeous! I could just picture Bertha Honore Palmer in her finery aching to be as well thought of as the grand dames of New York society instead of queen of the barbaric and uncultured Chicago rabble. A widely held view of Chicagoans by New Yorkers in the 19th century (probably, still).
My yen for Chicago history temporarily satisfied, I was brave enough to set out once again on foot but knew I wouldn't last long. The sun was bright but that wind off the lake was slicing right through me. Yet, I walked. The Cardinal lives in the neighborhood so I wandered past his historic red brick mansion wondering if he was in town. State Street starts up there and its a great neighborhood of old brownstones and mid rise, mid century apartment building and hotels. Now if I could just get daughter situated in this neighborhood I would visit frequently. She needn't worry tho, its not in the budget! OK, feet are throbbing now. But after going through my cash fairly quickly on cab fare, I resist. A couple of more blocks gets me through the posh shopping district where you might find Oprah or Michelle. Suffering now, I head over to Michigan Avenue knowing I can get a bus in front of Water Tower to get me down to Randolph and the train station home at least that was my regular route 25+ years ago. And who should exit the 151 at Randolph with me but Memoir Girl. (See her very own blog entry at theLtracks.blogspot.com) Success and the aroma of train station popcorn greets me. Why does that smell so darned good?! Cheesy popcorn fingers for the ride home.