Back to Chicago!

Have I mentioned that I really like going to Chicago?

So Eric and I headed to Chicago yesterday morning for yet another baseball game (this is #3 for the summer, if you're counting). It was another Cubs game, this time. So this trip was obviously my doing. But Eric got his time in, too. Before the game, we drove just north of Wrigleyville to an area known as Andersonville. With Eric's new job, he's privy to all these little neighborhoods and their CDC's... and he always wants to learn more about what others are doing. So on this trip, it worked well that the game start time got pushed back three hours. We found a local restaurant to have lunch and walked around the neighborhood a bit.

Then is was back down Clark to park and head to the game. We got there a little early, but surprisingly, not early enough for that game's giveaway. The shirt giveaways are always the popular one. But I guess in the scheme of things, we really didn't need more t-shirts. We were in the upper deck for this game, which, if you know Wrigley Field, means limited concessions. So we grabbed some drinks on the lower level and made out way up. Since we just ate lunch, we weren't hungry... so that was one less thing to buy and carry. It's been a few years since I sat in the upper deck, so I forgot about the expansive view you get! But more importantly, we were in the shade. Weather wise, it couldn't have been more perfect... but sitting in the sun for a few hours can still drain you.

Ultimately, the Cubbies lost to the Cardinals. Boo! But then, it is the Cubbies late in the season, so it's to be expected, unfortunately. We still had a good time... I always have a good time at Cubs Games!

Since the game was a later game, we were able to head to the hotel, check-in, freshen up, and just head to dinner! We went to The Local, which is Eric's cousin's other restaurant. The menu is full of gourmet comfort food - I had a fluffy topped chicken pot pie that was the epitome of comfort food! Not that we were looking for comfort food... but it was quite good.

The next morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast at the hotel, and then we were off. but we weren't going straight home. It was time for a trip over to Redamak's! but to get there, we decided to take the backroads (except for a short part on the interstate through Gary). So we drove through part of the Dunes State park, and followed the South Shoreline rail a good part of the way through Indiana. It was a really nice drive. We even stopped at the Beverly Shores station to take some pictures (it's a cute little historic station). But finally, we made it to Redamak's... right at the peak of lunchtime. but as we've learned, try to go to the bar - we can usually snag two seats there and make it a much quicker lunch. Which was quite yummy, as always.

Finally, we were back on the road. Since we had lunch at Redamak's, though, meant there would be no grilled cheeses at Fair Oaks. But we still made a stop there - it's just a good stopping point. But I'm glad we had no intent to eat there, because it was packed! So we definitely just made it a quick stop.

We got home with plenty of time to unwind after all the driving. Last Cubs (or White Sox) game until next year. That doesn't mean we won't go to Chicago until next year... just no more baseball.