Day 3. CHI-TOWN FANTASTIQUE!!!!!!

Where to start?  Today was the perfect day to trek into the wonderful city of Chicago.  Weather was 72, sunny, and we actually got Junker out of bed before 9am.  SCORE!!!!

Anywho, we arrived at the train station at about 745am.  Russ thought it would be a fantastic idea to get an "8 o' clock" coffee at the local Mobil station.  It tasted like absolute garbage. Russ promptly disposed of the garbage water before boarding the train.  I still can't decide if 8 o' clock coffee is worse than Indiana.  Russ sums up our feeling toward the coffee.

Fast forward to our epic train arrival in Chicago.  We hit up a breakfast place and grabbed some Caribou Coffee to wash out the 8 o' clock coffee from hours before (yes, the rotten taste lingers).

First, we walked to millennium park and saw some cool art, including a giant reflective bean.::cue artsy pictures:: 

We also saw the field where Obama made his election victory speech. After, we strolled along the pier next to Lake Michigan to scope out the view and catch some of the lake breeze.  During our Lake Michigan adventure, we came across a Segway tour, which is pretty much the most hilarious thing you will ever see.  Runner up: this girl biking around in giant heels.

Next we made our way to the Sears Tower, and planned to ride it up to the top, but we were dissuaded by the $15 skyview fee (hey, it's a long trip, we need to conserve).  After that, hunger came upon us, and of course it was time to sample some local cuisine-- DEEP DISH PIZZA.  Thanks to Russ' iPhone app (Yelp maybe?) we found a place near us called Giordano's.  It was rated well, and was apparently so good that a half hour wait was happening on a Monday afternoon.  We got a thick crust spinach pizza, and the consensus was that it was probably the most delicious pizza ever.  Here is Russ being super excited.

Next we walked over to the Navy Pier which is apparently where like everyone in Chicago hangs out.  Shops, restaurants, a ferris wheel, Smirnoff snocones (amazing), and people watching are only a few of the great things this area had to offer.  After enjoying that for a while, it was time to grab our train back to Cary.

Upon getting back to Russ' cousin's place, we went out on a little cruise in their neighbor's boat down the Fox River. This place is beauuuuutiful.  Junker drank a giant bottle of Chimay and beer and wine were had all around. An excellent evening, really.

Now we are off to bed early, so we can be well-rested for our freakin' 12 hour drive to middle of nowhere Nebraska tomorrow.  Expect the next update then!