Conjure up the beginning of the Batman TV series from the 1960’s. When the second episode of the week began the narrator would recap the highlights with each scene going into freeze-frame, accompanied by a tone that got higher as the cliffhanger neared.
So, with that explanation:
“When we left our traveling family, first there was departure” (tone)
“Lunch in Omaha” (tone)
“Tall cornstalks” (tone)
“University” (higher tone)
“Detour!” (higher tone)
“A low tire” (even higher tone)
“In search of compressed air” (real high tone)
“Will the air be enough?” (highest tone so far)
Segue into Neal Hefti’s “Batman” theme….
I woke, showered, went downstairs for coffee, then checked the car.
Flat tire. Not just low, flat. F-L-A-T
Therefore I grab some breakfast in the hotel’s reception area, then go back out to change the tire. Unfortunately this vehicle, like most in its size/class, comes only with a doughnut for a spare. Since this is a Sunday morning and we’re in a city with a population of about 27,000 I didn’t think I would be able to get a new tire today.
But I was wrong. Turns out their Wal-Mart does do tires and was open even this Sunday a.m.
About 90 minutes later (and a little lighter in the wallet) I returned to the hotel and the gals were ready to go. All of us were delighted we would not have to drive on the spare all the way to Chi-town, which would require a lower speed than the 70-75 we’ve averaged so far.
So then it’s across the Mississippi into Illinois. Soon we’re on I-88 and hoping to see some Chicago sights this afternoon.
Originally we hoped to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field this Sunday afternoon but the tire issue put us behind schedule. No matter! We’re on our vacation, on our own time. No schedule to keep.
Besides the Cubbies will also play an afternoon game on Wednesday. (Seems wrong to go to Wrigley at night.)
Then we see the iconic skyline, visible through some haze. We’re just about here!!
Stop-and-go traffic doesn’t keep us from finally reaching downtown. Park the vehicle and start exploring the urban environment. Grab some Mediterranean food at Falafel Island (great hummus!).
Now what?
How about the Art Institute of Chicago? Remember this?:
We do see most of the works shown in the clip. But for me the highlight of the whole place was seeing “American Gothic.” And I wasn’t the only one who wanted to take a long look at this picture of Americana.
But back to Ferris Bueller. Turns out the Institute embraces their appearance in the flick and even has a flyer for visitors with limited time:
I also enjoyed the view of skyscrapers through the slightly opaque and very large windows.
We finally tire of seeing “priceless works of art” and head outdoors. We see “The Bean” and the living gargoyles. And no visit to this section of town would be complete without Buckingham Fountain.
We’re exhausted. Time to head out to the ‘burbs and our hotel. Yet we still want to fully immerse ourselves in Chicago culture so we drive a few blocks to Portillo's and enjoy a Chicago dog.
Geoana wasn’t so adventurous and just ordered chicken tenders. This will come back to haunt her. Stay tuned for the next day’s details.
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