Chicago, IL

Quick stops in Lincoln and Grinnell put us on our way to Chicago to see some friends from Scottsdale, AZ. Two bold girls and friends of ours, Rachel and Terra, decided they would move to Chicago starting in January. Crazy girls. Anyhow, the weather during our 4 day stay was outrageous. Coldest winter in 8 years. Negative temperatures, wind chill, snow, more wind chill, frozen feet and hands. However, we made the most of it and actually toured the city on a -8 day.

Our first night in Chicago we tested the 4 AM bar closer time and successfully won. Although Rachel won as well, cleaning the fresh snow off of school slides on our way home. She is more than likely a superhero for the little kids who arrived at school the next day. $15 "Top Floor Teas" on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building the next day was followed with the Grant Park tour and another eventful night at the bar. To keep it short and sweet, I broke Das Boot. I am a horrible person. Then we got booted (pun) from the bar.

On our last night, Erik and I tailgated Terra's workday. With coffee cups carrying wine, we navigated our way downtown and celebrated the end of her work week. We then traveled to Navy Pier, saw a stained glass exhibit, and took $5 shots immediately after. After that it was off to Wrigleyville with Terra and some of her ASU friends, as well as Bryan, a friend from Grinnell. Let's just say I had a long, dark night at the bar.

The next day we woke up, said our goodbyes, and headed towards D.C. for the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. Time to make history.

- Rachel and Erik on the 95th floor of the Hancock building -

- Navy Pier and some crazy bus action -

- Flag on top of the Wrigley Building -

- Our super gracious hosts in Grant Park -

- The bean with a view of the buildings -

- Stained glass exhibit on Navy Pier -