Oh Chicago, Ohhh Ohhh...

I have struck a city - a real city - and they call it Chicago. . . . I urgently desire never to see it again. It is inhabited by savages.
- Rudyard Kipling, 1891

Unlike Kipling, we found the inhabitants of this Midwestern metropolis more than charming, and the clean streets, tidy lake shore and courteous residents exude a civility stereotypical of the American plains states.

Arriving in the late afternoon, we ventured from the Omni (where Oprah hosts her TV show guests) to a nearby park viewing Lake Michigan, mere blocks from our room. We then met up with Kecia, a recently transplanted Floridian now residing in the Windy City, and her boyfriend BJ, for dinner at Devon's Seafood Grill the first night, feasting on their world-famous crab cakes and desserts before adjourning to the hotel bar for a nightcap.
The next day, our hotel staff was very helpful in pointing out directions to what was perhaps the most fun for Em and I, and the least for Moose: Montrose Dog Beach, a fenced-in section of Lake Michigan with hard packed sand solid enough for the three of us to enjoy the sun and hundreds of local Illinois puppies. Dinner that night with Sarah and Jessica, other transplanted friends was at Bijan Bistro, famous for meatloaf and mac n cheese.





The next day featured some of the highlights of Chicago:
*Navy Pier
*Millenium Park
*The Signature Lounge, 96th floor of the John Hancock Building.