DENVER TO CHICAGO AND A GOOD WALKABOUT

DEN TO ORD

DEN was a tad busy due to Spring Break. We navigated the lines etc and made our way to the UAL club room. Coffee and oatmeal were on the menu. 

We had a pretty uneventful flight from DEN to ORD (Chicago). After landing we walked to catch the CTA Blue Line train down to the loop.  From the Clark/Lake stop, we walked east on Lake Street to our hotel, The Fairmont. This is a DVC exchange and we are in a Gold Club Level room. This means we can get goodies throughout the day and there is a lounge with an honor bar.  We will check it out later. 

We settled into our room and reorganized for a walkabout to the  Shedd Aquarium. 

Our room faces south and we can see the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium. 

Walking through the Maggie Daley Park and parts of Grant Park, we made it to the Lake Front Trail. I remember as a Boy Scout hiking the Lake Front trail several times. After passing a dry Buckingham Fountain, we arrived at the Shedd Aquarium. 

Outside of the aquarium we decided to get a Vienna Chicago Hot Dog. These were my favorite hot dog in all the world till I had an Icelandic Hot Dog, but these are still right up there in my book and must be dressed accordingly. 

Red and Yellow Vienna Hot Dog Umbrella 

I like the all prices include a lot of Tax :)

Prior to leaving for this trip we purchased the Chicago City Pass. This pass allows us entrance to many Chicago attractions. One nice feature is one usually skips the entrance line. This saves a good bit of time. 

We spent a good bit of time visiting the various exhibits in the aquarium which is rather well done, from whales to penguins, to fish from all over the world. I felt pretty good in that I had not lost my ability to identify many of the Caribbean reef fish. 

The Shedd Aquarium was a gift to the City of Chicago from John G. Shedd. Shedd had risen from stock boy to president of the department store giant, Marshall Field & Company, and he wanted to give back to his city. Shedd imagined a stately marble building and a collection of aquatic animals from around the world that would complement the two world-class institutions already in Grant Park, the Field Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. 

John G. Shedd never saw his aquarium. He died in October 1926 at age 76. The board of directors carried on, and ground was broken in November 1927. Construction started in November of 1927 and was previewed in December of 1929. The John G. Shedd Aquarium opened to throngs of guests on May 30, 1930.

What I learned today was the salt water used to fill all the aquariums was transported by rail from Key West, Florida. It took 160 carloads to deliver 1 million gallons of saltwater for the exhibits. 

From the Shedd Aquarium, we walked to State Street and headed north to Lou Malnati’s for Pizza. Lou’s pizzas are made with fresh ingredients. One will have to wait for 30-40 minutes for your pizza. Lou’s is also a family business and remains in the family today. The employees are dedicated and usually long term. One of our servers had worked in the first Lou’s.  I think it is one of the best in Chicago, others will argue, but I like. 

A small has but 4 slices but they are very filling 

After trying to eat a small pizza, we had a slice left over. We decided to get some walking in and made our way north to Lake Street and back to the  hotel.  

Iconic Marshal Fields Clock, met me under the clock. 

Vintage Saturday Night Live 

We did make our way to the Gold Level Lounge and found a most relaxing hideaway. Wonderful offerings this evening, the best was the coconut shrimp. There is an honor bar with very top shelf liquors, the beer selection is good, but lacking in dark beer. I am sure breakfast will be great and Lynn is awaiting the dessert offerings.