Toddlin Town

Our brief getaway to Chicago was great. The weather was cold and the wind was blowing, but we really had fun. I just wore everything I owned and kept moving.

 Of course the focus of the trip was to visit Tim, our 22 year old son who moved to Chicago in January. He lives right in the heart of Wrigleyville - just two blocks from Wrigley Field and the 10,000 bars and restaurants that surround it. We stayed in a hotel about a mile away which was a perfect location. We were close enough to walk to see Tim but away from the noise of the nightlife.

We planned to go that particular weekend because the San Francisco Giants were playing the Cubs in Chicago. Steve jumped on line to get the tickets and we were surprised how easy it was and how reasonable the price was. Then we got to the game and understood. It was freezing, it rained and the wind was howling. There just wasn't a lot of demand for these seats in mid April. At least half the stadium was empty. I bet those same seats in the summer time are a tad more expensive. There was a four game series. The Giants won 3 out of the 4 games. We went to the only won the Giants lost. That didn't stop us from having fun.

We met our Friends Austin and Dee at the game and had a quick meal with them afterward. They went home but we kept going. Tim took us to an Improv show so we could experience his comedy world. If you find yourself in Chicago on a Friday night, check out the "Improvised Shakespeare at the IO (Improv Olympics) in Wrigleyville. That was hilarious.

 We did make it to the Magnificent Mile on Saturday morning and walked around while the snow fell on out heads. The tulips are really trying to bloom but the snow and cold keep them at bay.  I understand it's flooding there today, but assuming things survive that, you can tell the City of Chicago is about to burst into spring.

We also traveled a bit North of Chicago to Austin and Dee's house to see how people lived outside of the fraternity atmosphere of Wrigleyville. It was great to catch up with them too. Steve and Austin have been friends since college days, so there were lots of laughs.

Meanwhile, back in San Francisco, Maggie was entertained by my sister Joni and her husband Vince. The nurses were here to do all the medical things Maggie needed, and Joni and Vince were here as grounding forces for Maggie. She thought that was hilarious. In fact, that really deserves its own post.

It was fun. Exhausting but fun. I told Steve the next "vacation" we take will involve a hammock, a beach, and drinks with little umbrellas.














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