Riding the Rails

After a rainy forecast, we changed out Fourth of July plans from a drive down to Louisville to a train ride into Chicago.  We were disappointed not to camp, see the free Cool & the Gang concert and my friend Rob, but the girls were ecstatic to finally take their first ever train ride.

We hit the road first by car, parking for free at the East Chicago station along the South Shore Line.  Due to our extra early arrival, we got to know  the town a little.  We urged the girls to practice their Spanish a little while taking in lunch at Taqueria Los Comales, as well as with the guy pushing an ice cream cart around the park. 

Before long, we anxiously boarded the nearly full train headed to Millennium Station.  None of us could together, but that only aided the girls in charming their new friends.  Both struck up conversations with their seat-mates and smiles were spreading throughout the car as others overheard.  As we arrived, one man told Erin that Ava is sure to host her own talk show one day.

A short walk from the station was our final destination, the Renaissance Hotel on Wacker Drive, just off the State & Lake "L" stop.  From our window we could see the Chicago Theatre to our right and the Hancock Center & river to our left.  The location was perfect for our plans; short walks along the water and through the parks.  While eating a deep-dish pie, and waiting for the fireworks, we took in a free concert in Millennium Park.  Since Ava had to ask every dog walker if she could pet their dog, we spoke with half the city. 

The girls were wore out by the time we returned to the room, thus we had our most successful night in a hotel to date.  The next day started with use of the hotel's pool & workout center, then it was back to the parks for playing in the fountains and walking along the lakefront.  Sadly for her, Sophia slept through our stop at Ohio St. Beach.  There, Ava met a few more dog owners.

We extended our stay by deciding to take a later train back to the car.  It was a good thing because all outbound trains were delayed that afternoon.  A track worker for METRA was killed when he was struck by a train.  Our slight inconvenience meant nothing when we learned later that his name was Luis Mercado and he was 36 years old.

It was a fun excursion into the city that won't soon be forgotten.  We've been up there with the girls multiple times, but this should be the first that Ava is able to recall.  More visits to the Second City are sure to come.