Wishes and Dead Presidents

We were both up early as we had not been out the night before. This was our last day in Chicago and we wanted to fit in one more museum. It was cold, much colder than the two days before. After breakfast at the Weiner Circle we took the bus a few blocks up to the Chicago History Museum. We lucked out and not only was the entrance free, but there were dead presidents wandering around. I guess that it made sense, being Presidents Day and all.

The museum wasn't large but it was rather well done. The parts that I liked best were on the 1890's world fair. I just find it mind boggling that so many thing we have today, like cracker jacks and ferris wheels, were created for the fair. There was also a large display on President Lincoln, including the bed he died in. How creepy.

The last place I had wanted to have brunch at, Wishbone, was a bit out of the way and we didn't get there until after 3 pm. Next time I will be sure to arrive for brunch, that is much better than the rest of the menu.

At that point it was time to head to the airport. Our flight was a bit delayed, but nothing major. I felt very lucky that I had taken two trips to wintery areas and didn't get stuck in either of them. I really hope that I didn't use up all of my travel luck on this.

The next flight I will be on will take me not just to London, but also on the next great adventure of my life.

The Power of Al

Our second day in Chicago begun just as our first, by figuring out how to get to the place that I wanted to eat brunch at. Al was adamant about walking as much as we had the day before. I prefer to walk, but it was on the very cold side, so we bought 2 day passes for the L. In no time we were at Lou Mitchell's and the food was just as good as I remembered it.

The cultural part of the day was the Chicago art museum. Initially were were happy when we found out that it was free to get in, however, it turned out that many of the exhibits were closed for refurbishment. On top of that the museum was packed. Still, most of my favorites were represented, Picasso, Munch, Monet and Van Gogh to name a few.

Al wanted to see another movie and I tricked him into seeing Atonement. I felt like it was only fair because he had picked the movie the night before. I don't think that Al felt that way.

When we were walking a seated couple was refusing to move over for another couple despite the fact that they had an empty seat on either side of them. Al wanted us to just take the separate seats. I started asking Al a bunch of questions trying to be as annoying as possible, thinking they would just move to get rid of the annoyance. That didn't work so I started texting Al to complain about how annoying and rude those people were.

Al – Look, I know that you had a problem moving before, but she's just going to keep texting and bugging me, do you mind moving over?

Nasty Rude Guy – I can't believe this, whatever.

After the movie (it was really good) the couple that was sitting to the right of me asked how Al had done it. Apparently several different couples had tried and they had refused. There's no one answer, it was just the power of Al.

Chicago Day One

We were up early and I somehow convinced Al to walk to the Original Pancake House in the downtown area. The last time I had done this walk it was about 30 degrees warmer. After a very cold hour we finally made it. Breakfast was fabulous, and we were ready to hit the town shortly after. We started on Michigan Avenue, also know as the Magnificent Mile. This is sorta like New York's 5^th Avenue.

Chicago is know for its architecture and many of the most interesting buildings are along the Magnificent Mile. The Tribune building is one of these. The building is nice, but the best part is there are rocks from famous buildings around the world embedded in the walls. There were bits from Fort Sumter, Hitlers Chancellery, Petra, Fort McHenry, and England's parliament. It was a round the world trip without going around the block.

The next tourist stop was what I thought was called the bean but is actually known as the Cloud. It's essentially a large mirror that reflects the building and the sky. There was also an ice sculpture to check out behind it.

It was cold out and there was no way we could spend the whole day outside so we headed to the aquarium. Typically I use aquariums as “hangover helpers” but this was just for fun. It's a really aquarium, as aquariums go. The dolphin show was pretty great. Kinda makes me want a dolphin for a pet. I wonder if I could keep it in the bathtub?

After the typical American date of dinner and a movie we decided to check out the Rock Bottom Brewery. We had the taster menu. Lets just say that the beer was definitely rock bottom compared to what I had the weekend before in Montana. There were even two kinds that neither of us could finish.

Even though our day had ended at rock bottom, it had begun magnificently.

Beans For Everyone

We were up early and I somehow convinced Al to walk to the Original Pancake House in the downtown area. The last time I had done this walk it was about 30 degrees warmer. After a very cold hour we finally made it. Breakfast was fabulous, and we were ready to hit the town shortly after. We started on Michigan Avenue, also know as the Magnificent Mile. This is sorta like New York's 5^th Avenue.

Chicago is know for its architecture and many of the most interesting buildings are along the Magnificent Mile. The Tribune building is one of these. The building is nice, but the best part is there are rocks from famous buildings around the world embedded in the walls. There were bits from Fort Sumter, Hitlers Chancellery, Petra, Fort McHenry, and England's parliament. It was a round the world trip without going around the block.

The next tourist stop was what I thought was called the bean but is actually known as the Cloud. It's essentially a large mirror that reflects the building and the sky. There was also an ice sculpture to check out behind it.

It was cold out and there was no way we could spend the whole day outside so we headed to the aquarium. Typically I use aquariums as “hangover helpers” but this was just for fun. It's a really aquarium, as aquariums go. The dolphin show was pretty great. Kinda makes me want a dolphin for a pet. I wonder if I could keep it in the bathtub?

After the typical American date of dinner and a movie we decided to check out the Rock Bottom Brewery. We had the taster menu. Lets just say that the beer was definitely rock bottom compared to what I had the weekend before in Montana. There were even two kinds that neither of us could finish.

Even though our day had ended at rock bottom, it had begun magnificently.

Everyone's a Weiner

My second vacation before my vacation and a little getaway for Al and myself would send me west again. I wasn't going as far as Montana, or even half way, but it was another familiar place. We were headed to Chicago and I couldn't wait. I was excited not only to show Al a place that he had never been, but also because I love Chicago. After shockingly getting Al to the airport on time we still managed to almost miss our flight, nonetheless, to the windy city we went.

As soon as we had dropped our stuff off at Arlington House, a hostel with double rooms, we headed around the corner to the Weiner Circle. The Weiner Circle is the best place to get Chicago style hotdogs. Not only are the hotdogs great, but they have a gimmick too. Basically people come in after hitting the bars and insult the woman who work there. The women, who have been knicknamed “the bitches,” are just as insulting. I don't want anyone yelling at me but it's pretty funny to watch. Just be careful that you don't ask for a chocolate shake, and if you do, don't say that I didn't warn you!

Home Again

Today marked the one month countdown until my rtw as well as a long trip home to New York.

The trip to Spokane began early as it is never easy to tell how bad the roads may be. We stopped briefly at a winder wonderlandesque ski resort. I had never been to one before. Luckily we made good time and were able to hang out in Spokane a bit.

It was sad saying goodbye to Uncle Bill not knowing when I would see him again. Even though I didn't know when I would come back I knew that I would be back in Missoula at some point, perhaps even on my rtw.

After two uneventful flights Al picked me up in New York. Once I got home I started going through all of my wonderful Montana pictures and like a moron deleted half of them. Thus, no picture for this entry. Now I don't only know that I will go back, but that I must go back.

M Stands for Microbrew

I was up early and said good-bye to Uncle Bill as he headed off to work. I had some work to do as well and after updating the blog I headed off to the mall.

I've been driving myself nuts for months trying to find the perfect travel pants. I had it in my head that because Missoula is a bit of an outdoor activity mecca that I might have better luck here. I was not disappointed.

After lunch with Uncle Bill he dropped me off at a hotel in downtown Missoula. He wanted me to be right in the thick of things and able to wander around without being stuck in one neighborhood.

The last time I had been in Missoula I was 17 and sold on the idea of going to the University of Montana. I was accepted, but decided that the history program at Ramapo was better suited to my interests. I headed across the river to check out the college that could have been.

The University of Montana was founded over 100 years ago. Missoula is completely surrounded by mountains and the university sits right up against one. I wandered around taking pictures of grizzly bear statues (the mascot) and contemplating how different my life would have been had I gone here for school.

Missoula is know for several different things. It's a laid back hippie town with a friendliness I don't think that I have seen anywhere else. One physical icon of Missoula is the M. The M is a concrete m that sits about one third of the way up Mount Sentinel, right behind over the U of M campus. I huffed and puffed my way up the 8 switchbacks to the M during my first trip in 1997. As I stood at the bottom of the snowy mountain my out of shape 27 year old self felt like I should go for the M again. After getting about one third of the way to the first switchback I was forced to give up. The trail was hard packed snow and ice, causing me to slip with each step. I saw myself slipping and rolling down the mountain. When I had gotten down the ass-kick Mt. Sentinel I silently promised that snow or not.

Another Missoula icon is located about 15 minutes away. I headed off the campus and back across town to check it out. Along the way I took pictures of downtown Missoula.

During my last two visits there was a huge upright peace sign overlooking the city. Much to my chagrin it had been taken down by the Internet company that owned the land. They didn't think it was appropriate during a time of war. Isn't this when peace is needed the most? Missouleans have been fighting to have the peace sign reinstated. This is a fight that I sincerely hope that they win. In the meantime some concerned locals have arranged rocks in the shape of a peace sign where the upright version used to stand.

When Uncle Bill was finished with work we headed for a night out on the town, attempting to hit as many of Missoula's landmark bars as possible. Our first stop was an Irish pub with an Italian flair. The food was good, the local brew better, and the conversation excellent. I hadn't seen my uncle in about 5 years and it had been 10 years since my last trip to Missoula. This was really the fir

st time I had spend time with my Uncle as an adult. We had a fabulous time. My favorite bar of the night was called Rino, they had 50 (yes 5 0) beers on tap. What could be better?

We finished off the night at the Union Club listening to a band who played everything from Michael Jackson to Johnny Cash.

A Mini-Trip

Even though the “big trip” has not yet begun I have started to travel. I was up at stupid o'clock (3:30 am) in order to make my 6 am flight. I was headed to Missoula Montana via Minneapolis Minnesota and Spokane Washington. I think this was the first time I would ever be not only in 5 states in one day, but in 5 different time zones.

Today the travel gods were on my side and I reached Spokane with no annoyances and little delay.

My Uncle Bill was waiting for me and soon we were on our way to Missoula. There had been a huge snow storm the day before and there was about 10 feet of snow piled up on the sides of the road.

The most frightening and dangerous part of the trip was going over the pass. Eighteen wheelers were pulled over and putting chains on their tires for added traction. Luckily my Uncle Bill had 4 wheel drive and years of experience driving in slippery conditions.

When we got to Missoula our first stop was the Bayrn Brewery. The North West of the US is known for their excellent micro-brews. Missoula is no exception. After trying the slow-pour lager and the dobbelboch it was time for dinner. My Uncle and I caught up over trendy food at the new and trendy St. James bar and restaurant.

By about 3 am New York time I was exhausted and it was time to head to my Uncle's place.