Day Two. Chicago for "Rest."

As always, what you plan, may not necessarily be what happens. I planned to take it easy and not do too much, but Trevor was ready to walk the entire length and breadth of the city to show me all it boasts. I'm not ungrateful, but darn it's tough to go-go-go when you want to sit-sit-sit.

I was still feeling like I was moving in the car, when I got up. It took me awhile to pull myself together, but we eventually were able to walk along the broad, clean sidewalk towards our breakfast destination!

I had read about The Original Pancake House and was excited to be able to start my day with a great breakfast. It seems as though CT is one of the few states that doesn't boast a OPH, so this was my first visit. I wasn't disappointed.

The OPH is in a tiny HOUSE. It's surprising since it's surrounded by multi-story buildings. The service was prompt and friendly. The menu was loaded with oodles of combinations of pancakes, of course, as well as some other special combinations. I was too out of it to note them down, but I was able to grab a take out menu, so I'll list some entrees when I get time.

I got banana pancakes. Anyone who knows me, knows I love them! These pancakes were certainly fantastic, light, fluffy, not rubbery, but the real delight was the...whatever it was that I poured on top of the pancakes! It was some sort of thin orange marmalade-syrup. It was not super sweet, but delicate and aromatic. It was pure bliss.

I offered some to Trevor to pour on his CHOCOLATE CHIP pancakes!!!! He seemed to enjoy it as well. In fact, I would have liked to just drink that syrup down it was so good.

Then the bill came...woah..these were not Connecticut prices. Very nice. About 20 bucks for both of us.

We then began what I like to refer to as "The Walk of Pain." One of those seemed-like-a-good-idea walks where you look at the lovely architecture, peer into the shop windows and after awhile you start to realize your feet not only hurt, but are getting blisters. Drat!

Before my feet went to Hell, I did get to the top of the Hancock Tower which had spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the city. It was a perfect, clear day and the observation deck was not even crowded. I certainly felt lucky to be there. Trevor seemed to be having fun, too. We had a touristy photo taken to commemorate our visit, but we both wished we were either taller, thinner, younger, or something we are not. I decided I was glad I know how to retouch things in photoshop, but not sure my chops are sufficient for what we would want done.

(Trevor's apt is in the building with the white vertical stripes)

We strolled along and Trevor pointed out as much of the rich architectural history of the city that he could, along with details about all the apartments he looked at buying when he came to the city a few years ago. None of them compare to the place he settled into. It is really great.

Trevor's place has floor to ceiling windows that wrap around almost the entire living space. There are breathtaking viewws of not only the city, but the lake and a park filled with colorful trees. The views aren't obstructed by other buildings and because his place is about 200 ft off the ground, it almost feels like you're floating in the sky.

I loved it, though I admit, the floating part didn't help the vertigo I had from the previous day's drive! It also was tough to sleep because I wanted to just look out the window and take a million photos. I was also treated to a rooftop visit that heralded in even better views and more photos ops for me and Trevor.

So back to the stroll...

...I saw The Bean! Why Chicago has a bean and not Boston? Why a BEAN? It's a HUGE metal bean sculpture. I don't know the artist. It was marvelous and striking and it glowed and moved as it reflected the city around it, but heck...someone has to keep this thing CLEAN. One more job I'm glad I don't do.

We had a wonderful lunch at a fancy Irish Pub. The food was terrific, not overly sauced or spiced. I had a roasted mushroom half sandwich and a cup of tangy potato, BACON and clam soup! Yummmy!

I begged a cab ride back to Trevor's for that much needed rest! I was sporting three blisters. Ugh! At least I walked off those pancakes.