"Chicago is My Kind Of Town" a Chicago Travel Page by keida84

2007 trip proved to be a bit snowy on arrival, but I experienced no delays whatsoever. The curse of the Snow Jinx has ended!

The last trip of 2006 Chicago, my kind of town. So much so that I just had to return in December of 2006 for another trip. This time I brought Kris, the best friend and "sister" destiny forgot to give me. We had a blast. We met up with our good pal, Kristi Dabs who is the consumate Chicago tourguide. We ate, walked, visited the sights of Chicago and Milwaukee (yes the Wisconsin, Milwaukee), saw the play "Wicked" at the Oriental theatre and then continued the fun with some of VT's best members: Hansi (Waaleweiner), Lori (LoriPori), Rob (rmdw) and Dee (Deecat) and her husband, Alan.

I am a "snow jinx." Really I am. Born and raised in Southern California where snow is something you see only in Disneyland or Universal Studios, ok yes and our local mountain resorts which are hours away from me, I rarely get to see snow fall. Hence was the case with my 2005 Chicago trip. It snowed prior to my arrival, threatend to snow on the day of my departure but being a true "snow jinx" the snow never materialized while I was there. In 2006 not only did my arrival not bring snow, it brought warm temperatures to Chicago, it was chillier at night in Hollywood Beach than it was for the daytime temperatures in Chicago.!! Oh well. All in all, it probably was a good thing as we walked a lot in Chicago and drove to Milwaukee something that we could not have done if it snowed.

The first trip in 2005 began as lark--I have always wanted to see Michigan Avenue at Christmastime. At the Toronto VT Meet, I had mentioned this to VT Member Dabs and she responded with an immediate invitation. A month later as I was checking airfares I saw a round trip fare that was most affordable and since I twisted Kristi's arm to come to Toronto, I felt I should at least come bother her in Chicago. I am so glad I did. I really liked the fact that people were out and walking around despite the very cold temperatures. It is a pity that no body walks in Los Angeles like they walk in Chicago.

I generally do not care for big cities, maybe it was the holiday spirit or just the plain fact that Chicago is revitalizing itself, but it is a great place to be a tourist at Christmastime. Here's to another happy trip in 2007!

One of the highlights of this trip was meeting up with Kristi Dabs and then getting to have a quick dinner with Patty Hexepatty and her boss, Vera. We had a great time at "The Greek Islands" restaurant the Sunday night when I got into town. Patty and Vera were leaving the next day ;-( however we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Despite it being a "girl Weekend" I did end up running into my pal Steve, spgood301 at the airport, It was a great way to pass the time. Thanks Steve, you are a good pal!

On my last day in Chicago I let Kristi sleep in and took my last jaunt around Michigan Avenue. The weather was trying to take a nasty turn that day (it still did not snow) so I bundled up in my Lands End finest parka and set off with camera in hand. On the return trip I spied some placards in the distance and wondered who was on strike. As I neared, I saw much to my utter amazement that this was not a strike at all but 3 people with signs telling the good people of Chicago to declare their "Freedom from Fruitcake!" Hhahahahahahaha, this was too funny and I new then and there I could not let these kids get away without a photo or two. The reason I thought this to be so very funny is that my husband LOVES fruit cake. He wants to start a "Global Fruitcake Disposal Service." Yes I know, he is "nuts" but that is why I love him!