Chicago - Saturday & Sunday

Well, I finally made it to the Windy City.  After about 32 hours on the Empire Builder from Whitefish, MT, I arrived at Chicago Union station to be met by one of my best friends, Ron Drain.  We head back to his place where I get the chance to freshen up before we head out to meet our dates for the evening.  I've known Jolynn, Ron's date, for some time but it's the first time that I've gotten to meet Paulette outside of the fellowship at church..  The plan is to go on a boat trip along the Chicago River and then out into Lake Michigan.  The weather is pleasantly warm so I eschew a sweater which, as I would discover, was a mistake!

The view from the top deck of the boat is amazing and our tour guide, Jennifer, does a great job giving a potted history of the buildings alongside the Chicago River and of the river itself

As we cruise down the river the temperature drops several degrees but it is still warm enough for me.  The boat takes the south fork of the river and then turns around when we are alongside Union Station (which looks very deserted at this hour).  Our guide continues to give a description of the buildings we can see as we head towards Navy Pier and the entrance to the river.  In all my visits to Chicago, I never knew that there was a lock controlling the flow of the river from Lake Michigan; we never stop learning!  Now, the temperature drops to the point where I'm starting to feel uncomfortable but, being a man, I put on a brave face.  Paulette suggests that we go down to the lower deck to see if it's any warmer and I agree.  It's not!  There is no protection from the chill wind anywhere.  However, there is a bar and Paulette has a tea (not Liptons) and I have a hot chocolate.  The view of the Chicago skyline, from out on the lake, is stunning!

I'm standing in the middle of the boat trying to keep warm when Ron calls me over to the side of the boat.  He's discovered that the exhaust pipe runs up by where he's standing and it's WARM.  I hug it like a long lost friend!!!  The boat has been heading north towards the Gold Coast before it turns south towards the aquarium and then back into the Chicago River.  I'm starting to feel human again!  It's time for some food so we head to a Thai restaurant nearby.  To me, it's more Chinese than Thai but the food is good and the fellowship is great.  Jolynn is excited to meet an English woman as she queues for the restroom and has me come over to talk to her.

It's Sunday morning and time for church.  Ron drives us to IIT, where the service is being held, by way of a Dunkin' Donuts 'cause I'm in serious need of caffeine.  The Chicago Marathon is taking place and so there are diversions everywhere.  Ron manages to find his way to the place where the church meets and we settle into some fellowship.  At the end of the service a baptism is held on stage:

After the service, Jolynn and I decide that we need to eat, and eat soon.  It doesn't take long to decide where to go: Soupbox.  There is a small problem though; it's called the Chicago Marathon!  It seems that whichever way we go, the route is blocked off, but we eventually arrive at our destination.  Tomato and basil soup in a sourdough bowl is my choice and it's awesome.
After some food, we head north to Lincoln Park and the zoo where we're going to meet up with Elizabeth and her mom.  Having parked the car, we have some time to spare so we head to the Consevatory and wander round for a while.  It reminds me of the tropical house in Kew Gardens in London.

After the Conservatory, Jolynn and I go meet up with Elizabeth and her mom in the zoo.  I must admit that I have mixed feelings about zoos.  The principle of conservation of threatened species is good, but to keep many of the animals locked up in unnatural conditions I find heartbreaking.  This is especially true of the big cats, apes and monkeys.  Seeing a Leopard pacing up and down in its cage roaring its frustration at not being able to get at us (for a tasty meal) was very upsetting.  If I felt that way then why did I go, you may ask.  Maybe it was the catalyst for me to want to do something about it.
After the zoo, time for some frozen yoghurt before heading back to Ron's.  Ron doesn't have any coffee so we head to a store to get some - now I'm happy!!!!