Coming Soon - Day #4 & 5

I'm having a bit of trouble getting photos off of our camera right now, so I'll have to update you on our final vacation days after we get back.  But, for my own memories sake, I'm making a list of things we did so I don't miss a thing.

• City Architectural Tour
• Shrimp (surprisingly okay)
• Chicago Dog
• Dicky Vitale
• Garrett's Popcorn (Oprah's Favorite)
• Sear's Tower
• Giant Bean

Lots to cover!  But honestly, all I have on my mind right now is getting home to see Brielle.  And Izzle-Frizzle.  And the boys.  Can't wait to get home!

Chicago - Day #3

Morning started off with our second try at the Flight Show.  We made our way down to Lake Michigan, found a great place to sit and ended up enjoying watching the people just as much as the show itself.  I took pictures of course, but would never post them on blog.  Strictly for my own entertainment (and Chris's).  I do believe, however, that half the city of Chicago could easily be nominated for "What Not to Wear" on TLC.

The stunts and planes were amazing, and could be seen the beach or from Navy Pier.  We know this, because we didn't stay in one place for the entire 4 hour show.  They had old planes, new planes, fighter jets, etc.  It was ridiculously loud and a lot of fun.  Several times I was convinced that the planes would crash into each other or right into the lake.  But they didn't.

We skipped lunch in anticipation of two things... eating at "Joe's," a hugely popular steak and seafood place and a having a Chicago Dog at the Baseball game.  Joe's did not disappoint.  The food reminded me of my stay at the Montage, Deer Valley.  Once you've had the finest and the best, it's hard to go back to average and affordable.  It was SO good.

I ate a ton.  Crab Bisque, Calamari, Crab & Artichoke Dip, Grilled Sweet Corn, Mashed Potatoes with this crispy, cheesy topping (yum) and the absolute best steak I've ever had.  Oh... and I'm still drooling over the coconut cream pie.  Holy. Smokes.

We took the subway to the big game.  You do not want to know of the things and people I saw on the Subway.  It's possible I'm scared for life.  It really wasn't that bad, but wow - I live in a bubble in Cache Valley, that's for sure. 

Wrigley Field was amazing!  Did you know there are actually stadium seating on the building surrounding the stadium?  And people watch the game from up there?  It was awesome. 

The Cubs vs. Cardinals.  It was a crazy good game! 5 Home runs, all scored by the Cards.  4 Pitcher changes, all on the Cubs side.  Let's just say there were highly drunk, highly disappointed Cubs fans walking around after the game.

By the way, due to the massive amount of food we ate at Joe's, even the sight of Chicago Dogs made us sick.  The clock is ticking, and a Chicago Dog will be eaten before leaving this city, that's for sure.

Chicago - Day #2

The only plan we made today was to ditch the rental car.  With everything so close, we saw no need to pay the $40 a day rate, and the $49 a day parking fee at the hotel.  I'm not made of money, and I could use the extra walking after the massive caloric intake we've had the fast few days.  Chicago food = Yum.

It just so happens that on this weekend every year is the Chicago Air & Water Show right on the beach of Lake Michigan, which features the Blue Angels.  We walked the 8 blocks (along with the rest of the entire city) to the beach to watch the show.

And then it rained.  A Lot.  A freaking torrential downpour.  The show was canceled, until tomorrow.

Since we had no umbrella, no rental car, every taxi in the city was already taken and we were still several blocks from the hotel, we popped inside the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art to ride out the storm.

Once again, I indulged Chris because he loves Contemporary Art (and I 100% don't).

I mean really, does this look like art to you?

But even then, there was only so much "art" we could see, and lunch time was quickly approaching.  It was time for my first ever Chicago Stuffed Pizza, and according to the locals, the place to go was Giordano's.

And it did not disappoint.  It was Amazing!  I was absolutely worth the hour wait.  So, I've eaten seafood and had a famous stuffed pizza... all I have left to try is a Chicago Dog.

It's early, but we're off to bed!  It's been a full day and we have a jam packed day tomorrow, which includes a trip to the Sear's Tower, round two of the Air Show, a Chicago Cubs baseball game and meeting up with other A.E.'s from the state of Utah before the conference starts on Monday.

Chicago - Day #1

I know, the day is not over yet, but keep in mind that Chicago is one whole hour ahead of Utah AND it's been a very, very, very long day. After racing home from Deer Valley to re-pack and pick up Chris, we headed back to Salt Lake where we would stay the night with Brielle and catch our early morning flight to Chicago.

We woke up a little late (4:50 am instead of 4:30 am).  We left Alpine a little late (5:30 am instead of 5:00 am).

We arrived at the airport with 56 minutes to spare, which I thought would be plenty of time to check in, get through security, grab breakfast and a magazine and jump on the plane.  Nope.  Not at all how it went.  Long story short... a ridiculous amount of people in line and incompetent airport employees, our butts hit the seats with minutes to spare, without food and without anything to read. 

Now, you're going to find this next bit of information highly unusual for me.  We arrived in Chicago and I didn't have a plan.  No detailed itinerary, no schedule to keep to, nothing.  Should we rent a car?  Should we take a cab?  Who knows?  After 2 hours in the airport researching rental rates, cab fares, etc., we settled on a rental car.  

Next mission... FOOD!

Everyone told us Navy Pier was the place to go.  It's right on the lake, and just blocks from our hotel.

And, lucky for us, the Blue Angels were rehearsing for their upcoming show tomorrow (look closely, they're there).  It was amazing!

Being that Chris loves seafood, and I don't, I indulged and we went to to Bubba Gump Shrimp (just like from Forest Gump).  I even ordered seafood, and guess what... I loved it.

I'm eating seafood... I didn't make travel plans... what the "h" has happened to me?  Due to exhaustion and over eating, we've returned to our hotel for a nap.  And to blog.

I've Never...

...stayed in a hotel with heated bathroom floors.

...stayed in a hotel where valet parking is mandatory.

...stayed in a hotel where you don't check in at a desk. You're asked your name when you walk in and they take you directly to your room.

...stayed in a hotel with my own fireplace, in my own giant suite.

...stayed in a hotel where, when they bring you your luggage, they also pour you a glass of sparkling ice cold lemonade.

...stayed in a hotel where they lay out fresh, clean, fuzzy, soft slippers for you every night.

...stayed in a hotel where they turn down your bed, and leave two heart shaped, gourmet chocolates on your pillow.

...stayed in a hotel where s'mores are made every night on the patio that literally overlooks all of Park City.

...stayed in a hotel where, upon arrival, immediately called my husband and said "I really want this bathroom."

...stayed in a hotel as nice as the Montage Park City, until now.

(my room)

If I didn't miss the husband and daughter so much, I might not ever leave.  I'm getting used the pampering.  But, if I were to live her full time, I'd have to find a way to pay the $500 a night rate, or buy one of the $2.1 million dollar residences on the upper floors.  And I don't make that kind of money.

After the last few days, I have high expectations for the Embassy Suites Lakefront in Chicago.

The Next 9 Days

Over the next 9 days, I'll be embarking on new adventures and staying at places I could never afford, if paying for myself.  Yes, work will be mixed with fun, but who cares really?

The Montage, Deer Valley - Conference #1

(Newest Deer Valley Resort)

The Embassy Suites LakeFront, Chicago - Conference #2

Except for a layover, I've never been.  Best part about this trip?  Chris is coming with me.  And we are going to a Cubs game.  I'm not trying to brag -- I'm just really excited!