Today was a great day! I will tell you all about the hotel another time, I have to tell you all I did and it was a full day!

I slept in, in my fabulously comfortable bed, blinds drawn, it was yummy. I leisurely got up about 9:30 and realized I was hungry, so i got dressed and headed to the lounge area to get some breakfast. After breakfast, it was back to the room to shower and dress, then submit my time and expenses. Done.

I had my list of suggestions from people on what to do while I am in Chicago. I put on my walking shoes and headed out the door, stopping at the Concierge desk to ask suggestions and directions.

Turn right towards Michigan Avenue, then left. I found ‘The Towers’, two glass brick towers that have a face on one side and water coming from the top, very interesting. Lots of kids loving playing in the water.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Fountain.

Then into Millenium Park to see ‘The Bean’, this was very interesting, made up of stainless steel plates, no seam. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate

Through the park to walk to Grant Park for the 31st annual Blues Festival. That was a lot of fun, I didn’t even know it was going to be here! Lot’s of great music and food and music and more music, fantastic. Got a little sun today. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Blues_Festival

After the festival, I headed right until I got to the water and turned left toward Navy Pier, I’ve heard of it and seen it in movies and on tv, but now I got to go!  They have shopping, dining and rides, including the giant Ferris wheel, which you know I took. It was about eight minutes and well worth the trip, for the view! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_Pier

Next, I headed in the direction of the hotel, stopped for lunch and completed my journey back to the hotel to charge my phone and my internal batteries. A nice dip in the pool and hot tub, shower and I was rejuvenated.

At 8pm, I headed out for my last activity of the day, an architectural river cruise, with fireworks at the end. It was terrific! Our guide knew his stuff and had opinions on a lot of things and was very entertaining. We learned a lot and laughed a lot! We saw one of the buildings they used in Transformers 3, several locations that were used in the Batman with Joker movie, very cool. http://www.architecture.org/rivercruise

While I was waiting for the trip, I talked to the two women in front of me. One was from Madison, WI and the other was from Boston, what are the odds? We sat on the boat together and chatted and had a nice time. They even gave me a ticket for the John Hancock Building, might be using that tomorrow!

Right now, I am beat, it’s time for lights out!