Traveling with Laura

Welcome to Chicago! As I returned my rental car at the airport this morning, I was thinking that I would just like to jump on a plane and go home. By the end of the day, I remembered why I love Chicago and am happy to be here again. I blame my desire to go home on not having had a good night’s sleep in over a week and just wanting to sleep in my own bed. Anyway, a few sprinkles didn’t keep me from wandering around Chicago, having some cider, and enjoying a delicious pizza dinner.

I started my day at Sweet Orange Pancake House in Schaumburg, where I indulged in a plate of their signature Sweet Orange pancakes and a Sweet Orange iced latte (apparently, having a signature pancake dish that includes the pancake house’s name is a must around here). I fully embraced the orange theme for today’s breakfast. It was sinfully delicious and I don’t regret ingesting even one of the calories.

After taking the train into the city, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my hotel had a room ready for me before noon. Since I didn’t have any specific plans for the day, I told myself it was okay to just relax for the afternoon and a nap sounded like the perfect way to start.

Guess what I was in the mood for when I woke up from my nap? Cider. So I headed down to the Riverwalk and grabbed a dry pub cider and a bag of parmesan ranch potato chips at the Northman Beer and Cider Garden and sat by the river to watch the boats go by, people watch, and listen to the live music. It was cloudy and only 70 degrees, but it was the perfect afternoon activity.

The Chicago Tribune building has almost 150 relics embedded in its walls from all over the world. Some are from U.S. National Parks and historic sites, while others are from farther afield, such as the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it before, but this was the first time I took the time to walk all the way around the building to see the stones.

As I was consulting Google about what to do after my cider, I happened upon a mention of the Garfield Park Conservatory and that became my next destination. I bought a 3-day CTA pass at the airport, good for the trains and buses in Chicago, so after walking around the Chicago Tribune building I headed in the direction of the “L” train stop at State and Lake. I love the train system in Chicago. Most trains run on elevated tracks, with streets underneath and views into the homes and businesses that line the tracks on either side. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the conservatory, but was pleasantly surprised by the mix of indoor and outdoor gardens, flowers, ferns, cacti, and palms I found inside. I ended up spending about 45 minutes wandering the gardens and rooms and taking pictures.

I am pleased to report that we are now three for three on the dinners in Chicagoland. Tonight found me feasting on a quattro formaggi pizza at a Neapolitan pizzeria, Forno Rosso, in the West Loop. When the choice is to eat inside or outside, and the weather is not prohibitive, always choose outside. Always.

Forno Rosso ended up being a great choice. The pizza was perfectly thin and had just enough gorgonzola to give it a little “bite” without being too overpowering. I followed up the pizza with tiramisu and then walked the 1.5 miles back to my hotel along the Riverwalk. 

My room has a great view of the Chicago River, so I am editing pictures and writing this blog while curled up in a chair overlooking the river. I’m hoping a good night’s sleep tonight will reenergize me for tomorrow’s city adventures!