On Saturday when we were leaving town, Air Force One was at Dulles Airport. Kudos to the United gate agent who gave us the heads up to walk down to the D Terminal and see it. The President was on his way to Tokyo for the G8 summit and they needed a full load of fuel to get there. When the plane weighs that much they need a longer runway than available at Andrews AFB. So, they were there to fuel up and take off. Connor was really excited to see it. Caused a bit of a delay for us though because once it took off there is a security "bubble" that keeps other aircraft out of the air for a bit. 
We had absolutely fantastic weather except for a rainstorm early Monday morning. And it wasn't windy at all! The skies were blue and cloudless and the city looked great all dressed up for Independence Day. We stayed at the Westin River North where Bob and I have stayed several times in the past. Fantastic location right on Dearborn and State St. looking down on the river. 
We did ALOT of walking over the weekend. Connor really did great in keeping up with both of us long-legged people and didn't complain much in the heat. We took this shot in a huge sculpture near the federal building on our way back from Taste of Chicago in Grant Park on Saturday afternoon. I'm glad to say that I went to "The Taste" once, but I'd never go again. It was an absolute freak show and, in my opinion, the food was not very special. I thought the idea was that you'd be able to taste different things from great Chicago restaurants. NOT. I had a half a hot dog and funnel cake. Could have had that at any carnival. And the crowd control and direction flow is non-existent. You're in a line that is 20 people deep and people are cutting through the line to walk down the street. Very frustrating. Later that night we went to Navy Pier and saw the fireworks which were great although oddly matched to a blaringly loud hip-hop soundtrack. Patriotic Fireworks + Kanye West=Strange.
On Sunday we headed out on a double-decker bus tour of the city. We had a funny tour guide with a very hysterical giggle that Bob just could not have loved more. We took the tour bus for a few stops and jumped off at the Field Museum because Connor expressed a random desire to see some "creepy mummies" and I knew they had a big ancient Egypt installation there.
We saw the famous Sue at the Field Museum as well as TONS of the creepy mummies. I'm shocked to say that the mummies were a bigger hit than the T.Rex.
We jumped back on the bus and headed back to Navy Pier to enjoy some of the fun that we did not have time for on Saturday night. On the way onto the Pier there is a "Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company" restaurant and we stumbled onto Forrest himself out front. The actor did a great job but Connor had no idea what was going on---I think he just thought he was talking to some random dopey guy!
On the Pier we rode the big Ferris wheel and then got on the Seadog speedboat for a little more excitement. The boys loved it! Half of the boat was filled with teenagers from church youth groups from all over the country that are on a summer long bus tour of the USA. I would have loved that when I was their age. How'd I miss that gig? Anyway, they were funny because they knew every word to every song that the captain blasted and they all sang them out loud (Jason Mraz, Kanye, Foreigner--you name it) and they all told each other CONSTANTLY how much they loved each other and how fabulous they were and how cool they were. It was sweet but I couldn't help but think how challenged they will be in a few years when they get out in the real world, have to work, and no one thinks you are gratuitously fabulous for awhile.
On Monday we went to the Museum of Science and Industry which shocked me. It is by far the most interesting museum I have ever visited. Educational, fun, cool, artistic, historical--everything you want in a place like this. We saw the U-505, a German U-boat captured by the U.S. in WWII. My dad had always wanted to go see it so we did it for him. Fascinating but I now need to do more research on the story around it because I didn't get to stop and read much in the extensive exhibit. The sub itself is in a massive hangar-like room and is very impressive. I also got to enjoy a special exhibit called "The Glass Experience" which I loved. They had alot about the history and importance of glass and alot of sculptural glass including a fair amount of Dale Chihuly pieces. I'm a big fan and it was great to see. One of my favorite things in the world is the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas which is covered in hanging mille fiori Dale Chihuly flowers. I need to see more, though. And I'd love to see one of his city or nature installations some day. Connor got to see lots of planes and trains and spaceships and got to build his own toy on an assembly line. But I have to say that his favorite thing of all was this. Bob and I sat at a table and he stood up on the edge of this display and watched this thing over and over again. After two or three cycles he started acting a museum docent and informing everyone around him about it and what was going to happen next. Too cute. This is an awesome place that deserves more time than we could give it and its now my number one Chicago recommendation. 
By Monday night I had to start working so the fun stopped for me but the boys had a great day on Tuesday at the Shedd Aquarium and back at Navy Pier. Plus, we changed hotels to the Fairmont which had no concierge room for breakfast like the Westin and that meant Connor's favorites--either room service or donuts!
Great trip and great fun. We need to go back for a longer, more organized and planned visit some day.
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