Chicago

Last weekend, Jim and I took the California/Zephyr Amtrak East to Chicago to visit Joe and Alicia.  It was possibly the shortest long distance trip I've ever been on but it was also one of the more fun quick trips we've done.

We showed up at McCook, NE around 11PM to a deserted building where we were supposed to wait for the train.  We were the only ones there.  No employees, no other passengers, and no door on the bathroom.
They ushered us on quickly as soon as the train arrived.  We are a small stop, no time for delay here.  They gave us a seat, we fell asleep and got up in the morning for an expensive breakfast in the dining car.  We sat next to John, a software engineer and baritone player from Colorado.  He was headed to a Packers game.
Everything was much closer than I anticipated so we walked everywhere.  First to the hotel, the Buckingham Athletic Club, which is on the 40th floor of a business complex.  It was possibly the best part of the entire trip.  Our view was of Willis (Sears) Tower and Lake Michigan. 

We got to watch the sunset in the windows of Willis Tower while we ate our Chipotle before we headed to the theatre to watch the Chicago Symphony.  I would post a picture of the amazing, multi-level performance hall, but they are illegal.  That didn't stop me from keeping them, but I won't be sharing them publically.
The next day we met Joe, Alicia and Girls at Union Station, walked our way to Due's Pizzeria, then to Millenium park where we took pictures at the famous "Bean" statue, then a quick hot chocolate break at a Starbucks (there really is one every 90 feet there!) and back on a shorter train ride to Carol Stream, where our hosts live.  This was all after a quick work out at the exclusive and very fancy gym at our hotel.  I was the only one working out that morning so I can't tell you any cool "running right next to a CEO" stories.  Maybe next time.
We watched movies and talked a lot.  Alicia and I are both extremely interested in health, so we exchanged ideas and talked about work out routines and food.  The last time we spent time together, neither of us were watching what we ate or how we treated our bodies, and now we are both very aware of it, so it was fun to talk to someone like-minded regarding food and exercise.
Their little girls were all absolutely adorable and sweet, we had fun seeing where they live and how to manage as a homeschool family. 
As we got ready to leave we stocked up on food at PotBelly's Subs (did I mention the expensive train food?).  Jim, who if you didn't know has been proof-reading my posts so far, thought I should mention the food there.  It. Was. Awesome. Then, with me feeling a little under the weather, I slept on the train ride home.

It was a great trip full of new experiences.  Downtown Chicago was safe, our hotel was awesome,time with friends was priceless.

Have a very wonderful Christmas Eve with your families and a Merry Christmas and good morning service.  I will be back tomorrow afternoon with pictures of a (hopefully delicious) carefully prepared turkey dinner.