Chicago certainly makes a better impression on me in the summer than the winter, and now I finally get all the hoopla about this city. The lakefront beach is a really fun scene and quite picturesque - unlike any other city I've been to. With the tall buildings and traffic providing the backdrop for the bikinis, it really is a unique urban oasis.
It's too bad they don't really want dogs to enjoy that urban oasis. This morning, we walked down to the concierge to get some tips on where to walk Moby - assuming Millennium Park would be a major stopping point. Not so much. It turns out the mayor has declared most of the parks off-limits to dogs, going so far as to install video surveillance and station security to ensure our four-legged friends don't enter. She goes on to tell us that after some lengthy scientific studies, they found that dog poop feeds rats, and that bolstered this anti-dog policy. WTF? Was this guy attacked by Kujo as a child, and now is wielding his mayoral power against all dogs?
Anyway, the concierge was very nice and clearly not in support of these policies - so she provided us with detailed albeit confusing information on where we could go with him - all around the lake and a small park across the street from the Ritz Carlton where Oprah walks her dogs (whom we did not see). And so we set out on a 3-hour tour of the city.
Upon returning, we readied ourselves for one of the highlights of our road tour - a Cubs game vs. the Reds. Now, I'm not gonna lie - I'm not a baseball fan. I think baseball is best enjoyed from the comfort of a park suite with a glass of wine and TVs showing something other than the game - such as basketball. But Wrigley Field did not disappoint as an experience, which we got to enjoy with our friends Aldo and Patty (who has family here). After some deep dish pizza and beer (which most of you probably know I don't really drink - but you can't legitimately order a Cosmo at a Chicago pizza joint), and a stop at a retail concession stand to outfit myself appropriately, we were game ready.
I find it...interesting...that we paid $100/ticket on StubHub to sit in unassigned bleacher seats. But apparently, that's how one is supposed to enjoy the game. Apparently, one is also supposed to throw trash on their home field when their team loses. This is so bizarre. Water bottles and beer cups rained down on the field after a 2-1 Cubs loss. Oh, and also a man fell on his face in the bleachers trying to exit the stadium - ouch.
In keeping with the theme of Illinois and Cubs colors, Brad decided to wear his Obama '08 shirt. Funny how even in a blue state that is the home of the Democratic presidential nominee, he got some jeers - my favorite of which came from a homeless man. Is it mean that I pointed out that without a mailing address to register to vote, he really shouldn't comment?
After heading to a local bar in Wrigleyville with Aldo and Patty post-game, the evening wrapped up with a Kenny G spotting on the El platform. Okay, he wasn't really Kenny G, but he did perhaps have a man-perm and was wearing a blouse. God bless you, Chicago.
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2 comments:
Only in the midwest do you use a Benjamin for a bleacher seat. And why discriminate against Moby - he did nothing wrong to the city of Chicago. I would have walked Moby on his front yard just for kicks and a good car chase.
Sounds like you had the full Chicago experience.
If Daley says no dogs in the park, then all of Chicago agrees that there should be no dogs in the park. Only Oprah could reverse that policy.
The Cubs are actually good this year, so yes tickets will be expensive. Wrigley is actually quite a small park.
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