June 28, 2009 - Ann Arbor to Chicago

Notice* Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood or eggs may increase your risk of foodbourne illness.

We awoke at the Lamp Post Inn without any serious side effects of sleeping there, though in the middle of the night I did roll over and try to convince Fabri to do something about the heat. He was out cold from all the driving since just after dinner so no convincing happened at all. Returned the keys to the desk and stole a cup of coffee and a cup of orange juice for the car. Fabri turns to me and says 'Are you sure this isn't just Fanta that's gone flat?' He's spot-on about the taste. Where we come from orange juice is made from oranges and makes tyour face go all twisty and sour-like.

We drive to Ypsilanti to find a diner but when we get there it's closed so instead off to the Bomber restaurant which was a pleasant surprise. It's all decked out WWII bomber style and has planes and old ammunition hanging for the ceiling (Let's hope they're no longer live rounds, but you never know). The walls are covered in framed old photos and newspaper clippings and adverts for war bonds. Scrutinising the menu I decide to remain with what I know and do the 2 scrambled eggs and bacon but Fabri is feeling adventurous and goes for the 'Bomber Skillet'. The waitress asks if he would like a half or a full and to my surprise he risks and goes for the whole nine yards. It's 3pm as I write this and we haven't eaten since.

We stopped in Battle Creek at the Seventh-day Adventist Historical Villiage and saw the inventions of Dr. Kellogg (brother to Mr. Kellogg who's fortune was found in the bottom of a box of Corn Flakes). He came up with light therapy tables and massage chairs and electro-muscle stimulators... all beautifully crafted in wood and polished metal of course. We are talking the 1800's, what a time. Then Rohandinald (names may vary according to memory) showed us around a few of the buildings in the villiage. He offered to change into his traditional dress for the full effect but I'm glad he didn't cause people in costume really make me uncomfortable. I never know if they're being sincere. The town was cute. We saw a little house where slaves came to become free on the underground railway and a school house (really LOVED the desks and blackboard) and an old style log cabin. The guide was great cause he was in his 20's and seemed to really care about what he was talking about and didn't care at all we didn't know anything about his church. He is studying physio-therapy and his parents are Mexican. I'm glad we stopped... it's nice to see other realities of this world and that people are happy in them. Like I said, I'm glad he wasn't in the traditional costume or it would have all been different.

Traffic getting into Chicago but mostly due to waiting in line for the toll booth on the skyway. Once we get downtown it's all clear... in fact, very empty for a city, but then it's Sunday so maybe that has to do with it. We get to the hotel and ask the valet guy to watch the car as we check in and get the bags up to the room. It's clean and large enough to stretch out in.

Back at the car and we off to Hertz to return it. It turns out the stupid and very mean woman at the Hertz in Toronto didn't even give us the rental agreement papers when we picked up the car and that she's just full-on BAD at her job. The nice clerk at the desk here told us she couldn't close the contract at the moment but we wouldn't be charged extra and she'd send us a fax in the morning with the final reciept. Apparently Toronto lady messed EVERYTHING up on this one. I'm hoping all goes smooth and we don't have to complain too much about this in the end. Especially since yesterday we switched our second rental to Hertz as well.

We walked back to the hotel through the city and the park, stopping at some very fine sculptures. One of a chrome organic sphereish thingy and another water-wall sculpture where we watched kids (and also not so kids) having a really great time on the hot day that it is. The cutest little girl was not allowed to go play in the water no matter how many times she kicked off her sandles, poor thing.

At the hotel we got ready to go out but couldn't decide where and so hopped a cab into Wicker park. We wandered around a bit and then ate at a pub that had beers in buckets and baseball on the Tvs. Very Chicago style.

We got a cab back into town but messed up and head to Michigan Ave. south instead of north and then were too tired to walk the 16 blocks back up to the other locale. I was in new sandals too, so that didn't help my mood at all. Instead we stopped not far from the hotel at a bar/eatery and had another drink. I had a cider which I didn't like at all. It was awful. We decided to try the place on Michigan North tomorrow night. Walking back we had to avoid fist wielding nutters and drunken psychos. There are definately less crazy people in europe than here. Chicago is also odd in that everyone shows so much SKIN. I saw alot of upper thighs, cleavage, stomachs, buttocks and chests today. That's something I really didn't expect... not to mention all the spandex and lycra. It's an all you can eat buffet for the eyes you know you're going to regret come morning.
Yikes!
Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

250 mi – circa 3 ore 58 min

Restaurants:

http://www.citechicago.com/citechicagoentreesmenu.htm
--for the view and or cocktails--


M. Henry (Breakfast)
5707 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660

Avec
615 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661-2203

Bandera Restaurant
535 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Etheopian Diamond Restaurant
6120 North Broadway Street



Accomodation:

http://www.centralloophotel.com/
111 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603

The Central Loop Hotel is located in the heart of the historic Loop, Chicago’s business and cultural district. The hotel is just a few short blocks away from legendary sites such as the Sears Tower, Civic Opera House and the ‘Magnificent Mile.’

The state-of-the-art guest rooms range from single rooms to suites with kitchenettes. All of the rooms feature custom-designed furnishings, comfortable beds with down duvets and plush pillow top mattresses. In-room business amenities include complimentary internet access and work stations with ergonomic chairs.

The hotel’s 24 hour guest services/concierge desk is available to help find dining locations, theater tickets and to assist with sight-seeing arrangements and activities.