This is the Place

On Saturday of the 24th weekend, Bubby wanted to go downtown and watch the Days of 47 parade. Sarah had done her homework asking all of her friends and neighbors from which vantage point to view the parade. Without exception, the response was, "why would you want to go watch the parade?" I guess it is a stay over night affair and wall to wall people. After some discussion, and disappointment for Bubb, we decided to go to This is the Place State Park instead, and we found it to be uncrowded and very enjoyable.



Almost immediately, we boarded the "train" that circumnavigates the park and went for a ride. You can see the Wells kids are loving it.



Then Bubby, Bean and the older Wells kids got to ride on a miniature railroad round and round the pond.



While they rode, Babsy, Maggs and I watched from the sidelines.



Jake got to participate in the "pie" eating contest. The pie consist of an aluminum pie pan filled with Cool Whip. Buried under all that goo, there was a plastic fish that participants had to retrieve with their teeth and tongue.

He is poised and ready.



And we are off!



I think he has a little spot without any Cool Whip.



We also got to ride the ponies, which is something that the Chee loves, as you can see.



From the ponies to the petting zoo. Jake and Katie were having a ball. Chee was having more fun jumping the drainage ditch, lined with river stones.



This one is for Booty. Beany is fondling a pigmy goat in his honor.



Of course Jake was just loving being able to touch all the animals. There were even French lop rabbits, a long time favorite of the Bubbs.



Before we went to lunch, we stopped in at the mini-pioneer town, and Bubby let the girls have their photo taken in front of whatever building they chose.



We went to the Brigham Young "forest home" and had our picnic of cheese, bread, and fruit on the lawn. By the time we finished, the parade was over and the people were starting to pack in. We got out just in time.

All in all, this is a fun park, and while it's no Red Butte Gardens, we might go back some time.

Buboppy

Pioneer Day

Last Thursday, Bubb and I drove to SLC to spend the Pioneer Weekend with the Wells. We had to stop in at the Gateway before going to the Wells' home, but that was a pleasant diversion because Bubb found some clothing she needed to buy. I found my appointment with the Apple store and got a new Invisishield installed on my iPad.

On Friday, we did a little shopping in the fabric stores (more skirts for the girls) and had a bite of lunch. We then headed to Red Butte Gardens, our new favorite oasis in the Salt Lake valley.



There was a fountain just inside the garden, and none of the kids could resist the opportunity to get a little wet. It was a hot day, and even Maggie got to put her feet in.



Romping in the fountain.



We went to the children's garden so the girls could play in the sand and we just lounged in the shade on the grassy knoll. Maggs got to have her own little photo shoot. Can you say, "Extreme closeup"?



After the girls got out of the sand box, they needed to rinse off (you know, fountain first, then sand box). I couldn't resist taking this image of independent Chee taking care of things.



She posed for me during her scaling of the lizards on the lawn, as well.



Here are the Wells children as we reluctantly left our peaceful (and nearly solitary!) visit to the children's area.



That evening, Sarah's ward hosted a Pioneer Day event billed as "Breakfast for Dinner." They normally do it on the morning of the 24th, however, the "other" ward in their building was taking a turn at the morning time, so it was done on the evening before the 24th. I got a couple of head shots of the kids. Our Jake is sure growing up. I can't believe it. He is a pretty nice brother, too.



Here is a photo of when Maggie is happiest. You guessed it, when her Mom has her. (Note the "big hair". I love the twin antenna look.)



The upside of the event for Jake was that there was a lot of food, including a nearly unlimited supply of bacon. He had his share and then some. There was also a pancake eating contest, but we talked Jake out of participating. We watched him nearly blow chunks at the event a year ago. Nothing puts a damper on an eating contest like the scent of fresh barf.



Following the pancake contest, all the of the kids rode their decorated conveyances around the church block. I was posted at the top of the street to make sure everyone turned the corner. The Wells kids rode their scooters. Of course Jake is fast and confident on his.



Katie is a notorious speed demon on hers, and she looks so pretty while pushing it. Kate and Lyd decorated their scooters with the help of their Mom, Jake wasn't interested.



Finally, Lyd came chugging by. She is starting to get the hang of scooting, and seems much more at ease now. She sure looks cute on her short handled Razor. Thanks to Sarah and Aaron for inviting us to come to SLC.

Buboppy

Goodbye Chicago

My meetings wrapped up at about Noon on Wednesday. All in all, probably worth the time and money. Bubb and I hooked up in the room where we shared a sandwich from a highly tauted deli (Fox and Obel). We headed for the Red Line and rode the El to the Shedd Aquarium.



As I always do, I tried to take photos of the fish with very limited success. Our travel camera is several years old now, and the fish either move, or I move, before an image can be captured. We did get this photo, and thought our animal lover-grandsons would enjoy it.



After the crowded aquarium we headed to Greek town and the Parthenon. We really enjoyed our Greek salad and a stuffed pepper appetizer. Bubby had a sampler plate, and really didn't enjoy it much. I had some calamari that tasted pretty good.



NBC has offices in Chicago, and I talked Bubb into a photo op.



We went over the Millennium park upon returning to downtown, and there was a free concert in progress. We didn't stay too long, but we were sure surrounded by lots of people enjoying the music, picnicking on the lawn.



Final verdict. Chicago was really fun to visit, lots to see and do, fabulous restaurants, but there is no place like home.

Buboppy

American Girl and Millenium Park

Tuesday morning Robert and I left our room at the same time my goal was to beat the crowds to the American Girl store at 835 N Michigan



Upon arrival I was welcomed by many smiling clerks who seemed to love their work. First of all I wanted to see where the tea party's I read about were to be set. The dolls have their own pink chairs just their size to set up to the table so they can join in on the pleasant conversation.



Specialty dolls were downstairs and the "look like me" dolls were upstairs. I had a fun time inspecting the clothing for the dolls and the detail that was carefully taken for each outfit. I wonder who does the sewing.



A hair salon is readily available if your doll needs to have a quick new due before tea.



I also wandered down a couple of blocks to the Millennium park. It had amazing green space and incredible modern architecture. This is a bridge that winds its way above the greenspace in the park.



This stainless steel sculpture was incredible. It may me dizzy to go into it and look up because the of the reflection.



I went on an architectural boat cruise this morning for fun while Robert went to his last class. The tour motored through the canals of the Chicago river and the guide explained about the many wonderful building they were built to make Chicago the city it is today. There are 47 bridges that span the Chicago River and they elevate to allow boat and ships to go all the way to the Mississippi River. There is a lock at the mouth of the river because the Chicago River is 4 feet lower that Lake Michigan
Avenue, it was a bit of a walk but I joined in with the flow of people going to work. The tower in this photo is the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).

Exploring Chicago

One of the most fun things we have been able to do together was a trip to US Cellular Field for a White Sox game. Of course just being in a MLB venue is a kick, but it was beautiful day for the game, and we had exceptional seats. The division leading Sox were playing the KC Royals.



Bubb and I did some serious people watching, which is half the fun of a public activity like this. The "couple" in front of us was so odd that at first we couldn't determine the genders of either of them. They were both multiply pierced and tatooed, but when the DH, Quintin, hit a grand slam, we were high-fiving with them as if we had known them forever. Bubb and I even shared a hot dog and some peanuts.



The game was no pitcher's duel, and as you can see from the final score (15 to 5), there was plenty of action. I hope our two scheduled games in San Diego are as fun. We rode the train to and from the game, which adds to the fun. Bubb wanted a White Sox jersey, so we dropped a tidy sum on it. Be sure and comment when you see her wear it.



While I was in meetings, Bubby set out for some serious adventure. She took the El to Roosevelt and when she got off, she shot this photo of the Chicago skyline from the Lake side.



The purpose of her trip was to visit the Chicago Field Museum. She said it was a fabulous building, and what made it even better was that the second Tuesday of each month is free day. She said that she had it pretty much to herself until about 11:00 and then the place was mobbed, mainly with young families.



Part of the reason for her visit was to see "Sue" the T-Rex that was acquired amidst controversy 10 years ago. She said the skeleton was quite impressive.



She saw this sign inviting her to measure her own foot against that of an aptosaur, which you can see in the next photo.



Bubb is always concerned that she now has to buy size nine shoes when she used to be an 8.5, but I don't think her problems are as severe as apato's.



After leaving the museum, Bubb explored the lake front and shot a couple of photos along the shore. She was impressed with the Illinois state, and Chicago city flags.



This is the anchor off of some famous ship, but since I wasn't there, I can't supply any details. Maybe a destroyer, battleship, or an aircraft carrier.



Bubb eventually ventured onto the Miracle Mile (Michigan Avenue) and did some window shopping. Before leaving home, she had looked on-line to see if Chicago had an Orvis store, she was disappointed to discover nothing listed. Imagine her surprise when she was crossing this intersection with Michigan Avenue, and saw an Orvis store flying its colors. Of course she was sucked in to the black hole and spent a good portion of time, and a little money in the store.



When my seminar ended, we ran to Pizzeria Uno to have our first taste of Chicago style pizza. We ordered a four cheese and pesto affair, and shared an antipasto salad while we waited the thirty or so minutes for it to bake. The crust is not made with yeast, it is more biscuit like, but it tasted grand with all that cheese and pesto. We were only able to eat one piece each.

I have more to report because yesterday, Bubb went to Garrett's popcorn and American Girl. However, it is time for me to head to my last half-day of seminar. This afternoon we are headed to the Shedd Aquarium, Millenial Park, and out to dinner somewhere. We are trying to decide between Greek (the Parthenon in Greek Town), ribs (Carson's Ribs), or nuevo Mexicano (Rick Bayliss' Frontera Grill). We'll let you know what we decide.

Buboppy

We Arrive in the Windy City

Our travel to Chicago involved long lay overs in both SLC and Minneapolis/St. Paul, but we finally did arrive at about 8:30 PM on Saturday. While I waited for the luggage, Bubby went in search of directions and a Chicago Transit Authority kiosk where she could purchase seven-day "El" passes. During the process, she hooked up with a lady coming to Chicago to attend a Pampered Chef convention. The lady was from Kellogg, Idaho. We decided to be daring and ride the L in to our hotels (she the Sheridan, we the Embassy Suites). We caught the Blue Line and headed in. We could only get so close without changing trains, so we shared a cab ride to our final destinations.

It was nearly 10:30 PM when we finally arrived at the hotel, we could tell the hotel was pretty well booked. We were assigned a room on the eighth floor, a smoking room. We marched ourselves back down to the lobby and were informed that there was no other "room at the inn". Bubb asked to speak to the manager, and got the same story. We were not happy. We were assured that we would be given consideration for a non-smoking room on Sunday morning, before we marched back to our smelly accommodations. We found we could minimize the odor by closing off the bedroom from the rest of the suite. It seems most of the smoke is in the curtains and carpet of the front portion of the room.

We woke at about 6:00, and Bubby was in a foul mood. I am sure that many of will doubt that Bubb could ever been in a foul mood, but I have seen it, and this was one of those times. We went down to the fresh cooked breakfast, and she immediately started working the front desk for a new room.

One of the pluses of the Embassy Suites is a full, cooked-to-order breakfast each day. The photos are poor (small camera, not much flash) but I tried.



The line to get your made to order eggs goes into this door. In addition to this line, there are scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and all the amenities in a buffet line. We were starved after the day before of traveling and eating a weird meal in SLC and chips and salsa at Chili's in MSP.



This photo shows the eating area from above. It was really crowded on a Sunday morning, even at 7:45.



Those who have stayed before know that the hallmark of Embassy is open atria around the central courtyard. Here is the view around the atrium on our floor.



Bubby got showered, and while I was in the shower, a room opened up! We were trying to get ready and make the L-run to to the Logan Square Ward and move all before 9:00 AM. We did notice that everything takes a long time here.

We accomplished our move by my finishing my shower and then moving and Bubby moving and using the new digs to finish with her makeup and hair. We left the hotel headed for the El at about 8:30, but were nearly 25 minutes late for church. Lots of false starts once we arrived at Logan Square. It is a good thing that people are kind to children, dumb animals, and tourists.

We ran into lots of people with southern Utah connections at church. I meet a member of the Pace family from New Harmony. Del and Lynnette Parson were there as well. Del is attending a workshop for a month. It was a very nice meeting and we enjoyed ourselves.

We settled on Italian for dinner last night. We visited a restaurant named Volare, which is in easy walking distance from the hotel. The food was fab, but so was the check. Bubb is always happy with Italian. There is a market directly across the street from hotel from which tasty beverage is readily available, so I think we will stay on until Thursday.

Buboppy