Off to the Windy City!

I hinted at some travel plans last week.  Here's the scope: tomorrow morning, my friend Sarah and I leave the volatile Minnesota weather to head off for . . . the volatile Chicago weather. 

When we started planning the vacation, we both had fantasies of lounging by the cruise ship pool or wading into the surf on the beach of some all-inclusive Mexican resort. But some things got in the way of those grandiose plans. Like budgets. And my aversion to relaxing on vacations. And budgets.

So instead we're headed for the nearest "real" city (in my humble opinion), the coolest Midwest city by far (again, just my bias), and my father's hometown! It's just a quick getaway, but we're planning to jam-pack it full of fun times and play tourist hardcore. To shake things up, rather than driving or flying, we're taking the train, which is the first long distance train ride I've taken since I was 10 and Sarah's first train trip period. Choo-choo!

Willis Tower what? I will always call it the Sears Tower

Since all of my paternal relatives still live in Chicago Land (aka, I've been to the Chicago burbs a gazillion times) many people have assumed I might view this whole little getaway as a little dull. Au contraire! Despite my multiple visits to the area, this trip is completely different than any other I've taken. For one thing, it won't be Christmas. For another, we'll be staying right downtown, with the intent to soak up as many quintessential Chicago sites as possible.

Yep, even the weird ol' bean in Millennium Park.

I'm not sure what all we'll get up, but I know it'll be good times. Maybe some shopping on the Magnificent Mile.  I really want to visit the Art Institute (which I love!) too. And we've got tickets lined up for some theatre events, an architecture boat tour, and will spend a fair amount of time in the ballparks, cheering for the Twins (who play the Sox) and the Cubs (who play the Reds). I have my father to blame for my love of the Cubs. We all know cheering for them is the ultimate act of optimism.

Don't worry, while I'm gone, you'll be in good hands. I've lined up a crackerjack team of bloggers to guest post on Of Woods and Words during my absence. There's a great batch of posts coming at you about the writing life, cabins, good deeds, and recipes. Be sure to swing by!