Got back from Chicago yesterday.

We arrived there Friday; took the train from O'Hare to Evansville to visit Reba Place Fellowship. They gave us a tour and lunch. (Check it out online, if you're interested in knowing more -- http://www.rebaplacefellowship.org/). And then took the train and bus to the motel.

I thought the train was cool, but DH was disappointed in how long it took to get where we wanted to go, so, on Saturday, we rented a car. We'd originally planned to use public transportation during our stay there.

Saturday, we went to the museum of Science and Technology (http://www.most.org/). There was a lot of walking (nearly 14 acres of stuff to see, but we didn't see it all!). I was tired, though. More tired than I wanted to be. Both physically exhausted from walking (even though we stopped and took sitting down breaks), and we were back at the motel way too late for my necessary daily naps. Was good though; was more interesting to DH than me, since those things are more in his line of interest than mine -- but, a very good museum.

Sunday, we went to Lincoln Park Zoo (http://www.lpzoo.org/). The weather was beautiful! And, we got a W/C, which I mostly pushed, but was able to sit down and be pushed whenever I was tired. Don't usually need a W/C, but, it was a good idea for me.

It's the free zoo, and was not very big. Our Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, KS is better. Probably should've gone to the Brookfield Zoo instead, but, I enjoy zoos, so it was nice to see one that I'd never been to, especially on such a beautiful day.

Saturday evening, we went to Navy Pier and had a fireworks boat tour (http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com/). Beautiful city lights; wonderful view.

Sunday at 4:00 we attended a Blue Man Group show (http://www.blueman.com/). They tour all over N. America, but, when they are not on tour, they play daily in Chicago, as it is their home base. Very cool show. 3 men with blue faces and hands. Comedy, percussion, no talking. Somewhat pricey. (One of the reasons we chose the free zoo. Lol!)

Monday, we went to Shedd Aquarium (http://www.sheddaquarium.org/). Also got a W/C there, and, used it some, when I wasn't pushing it. Wanted to get my walking in, without tiring myself out too much. Came back and took a nap before we took the train out to Melrose Place, to visit a friend that I worked with for 8 yrs here in KS before she married her HS sweetheart, whom she'd recently reconnected with after he was widowed and she was divorced. Had a wonderful! visit with her; they drove us to O'Hare Tuesday morning, and here we are.

Was a wonderful trip! Was not familiar with Chicago, and got to experience so many different parts of it. Old neighborhoods in Evanston, downtown Chicago (day and night), motel near the shore, lots of tourist opportunities, suburbs visiting an dear friend. Had lots of fun.

I enjoyed the train, and wouldn't have minded not renting a car and using it instead, if we could've figured out a good bus route to the motel (which, I think, was available). Would've have saved the money for renting the car, and also, parking at all their tourist attractions is expensive! But, that might have involved too much walking, and not allowed for enough nap time between events, so maybe it's OK that we did it the way we did.

~ Faith

Welcome back, Faith. I'm glad you and DH had such a marvy time.

Glad you enjoyed our area, Faith...I grew up in Chicago, and I do love to go downtown...the vibes are so wonderful. I definitely would have gone to Brookfield Zoo instead...they have some buildings that have natural habitats for the animals, like Tropic world; there's a bridge where the humans walk above the apes' habitat. One time a small boy fell down into the habitat from the bridge; a female ape picked the boy up (he was unconscious), and held him and rocked him until the trainers came in and took the boy from her.

If you know your way around the area, it is surprisingly easy to get around by train or bus...that's why the Olympics would be great here...visitors could stay out by us and take the trains in to watch the events.

Anyway, glad the weather was good for you and you enjoyed your visit!