Chicago

It's hard to believe, but at this point last week, my parents and I were at Wrigley Field watching the Cubs beat the Phillies (and trying to stay cool — what a heat wave!). Our time in Chicago was wonderful but sadly way too short. Each day was jam-packed with activities as we visited the Field Museum, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, the Art Institute, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and many more.

What I want to remember from this trip:

• Walking and taking public transportation rather than relying on a car to go anywhere. This is one of the things I miss most about Boston.
• Exploring Millennium Park — from posing at The Bean to dipping our toes in the stream at the Lurie Garden, it was a wonderful public space within the city.
• Participating in a photo safari in Millennium Park — I learned so much about my camera. (Photos to come later.)
• Moving to the front of the line with the CityPass. (This came in handy at the aquarium and the Willis Tower.)
• Eating deep dish pizza at Gino's East. It tasted so good after a long, hot day.
• Begging one of the cashiers at the zoo for a rubber band so I could put my hair up. It was such a relief to have my hair off my neck. (This sounds silly, but it made a world of difference that day.)
• Finally finding the piece of the Alamo on the Chicago Tribune building.
• Working on my travel journal/scrapbook while I was on the trip.
• Sharing French toast with my mom for breakfast one morning.
• Indulging in Jelly Bellies just because it was vacation.
• Riding the huge Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
• Just putting my toes over the edge at the Willis Tower.

I'll post photos later. For now, you can check out some of the photos on my Flickr photostream on the right.