But there's a light on in Chicago...

Who knew I would fall for Chicago?! Don't get me wrong. I was excited about my trip to Chicago, but I didn't realize how much fun and how interesting it would actually be. My best friend and I managed to do all things Chicago (just like we promised the guy at U.S. customs - lol).

The Famous Wrigley Field

K.Hi & I left my house around 6:30 A.M. on a Thursday morning in June. We left early because we had tickets to a Chicago Cubs afternoon game (interesting fact #1 - almost all cubs games are afternoon games). We encountered some hard rain, but made it to Chicago without incident and even early for the game so we scored free Chicago Cubs sunglasses. Being able to experience a game at Wrigley Field more than made up for the less than desirable hotdog and seating. After the game, K.Hi and I had a late lunch at Al's #1 Beef (which has been featured on Man Vs. Food). K.Hi thoroughly enjoyed her beef dip!

My wonderful friend, J. and her husband, M. were more than welcoming, allowing K.Hi & I to stay at their humble abode for Thursday and Friday night while we were touring the city. J. helped us figure out the transit system in Chicago so we could get around easily. I'm not familiar with public transit having grown up in a small town, but Chicago's system seemed fairly easy to get the hang of. That night we set out to Willis Tower (formally the Sears Tower) to take in the view from the Skydeck, 104 floors up. We stayed long enough so that we could get late evening and night pictures. 

Loooking up at the Willis Tower

Me - 104 floors above Chicago

Sunset over Chicago

                                                   

                                                                 The Ledge - 104 floors above S. Wacker Dr.

Gino's East Pizzeria

We then found our way to the Magnificent Mile and got to see the long stretch of designer stores. It was late and they were all closed, but let's be realistic... we weren't going to be buying anything at Tiffany's or Georgio Armani anyways. From there we went to eat a very late dinner at Gino's East (which is known for it's deep dish pizza and was also featured on Man vs. Food). There was a line up at this pizza joint at 10:30 at night with two floors of seating full. By the time we got in at 11pm we were starving only to find out that the deep dish pizza's we ordered would take an hour to make. We spent most of our time waiting, taking in the scenery of the restaurant which was covered in graffiti. K.Hi loved her deep dish pizza! I liked mine, but I think I'll stick with regular pizza.

Shedd Aquarium

The next morning we took the bus to the Shedd Aquarium. It was a free admission Friday and there was a 2 hour line-up. It was the main thing I had wanted to do in Chicago, so K.Hi, being the good sport she is, put up with the 2 hour wait in the hot sun with me. Afterwards, we took a water taxi to Navy Pier and boarded the 3pm Architectural Boat Tour. This Tour was about an hour long and took us up and down the river with a guide who talked about the different buildings along the river's edge. It was so beautiful to witness and interesting as well. After arriving back at Navy Pier, we had a late lunch at Harry Caray's Tavern.

River City - from the boat tour

Lunch @ Harry Caray's

Millenium Park

We then found our way to Millenium Park where we saw the giant sculpture that looks like a chrome jelly bean. Right beside Millenium Park is Grant Park and an ampitheater. There just so happened to be a free orchestra concert that night so we took a seat and listened for an hour or so and relaxed. We then found State Street where we were advised to go shopping. K.Hi scored a Michael Kors bag there and was ecstatic! By this time it was 10 or so and we found our way to "Ditka's" which we assumed would be a sports bar/tavern. When we arrived it was a fancy steak and seafood place. WHOOPS. We weren't turned away for a dresscode so we stayed. K.Hi had the meatloaf stack and I had a burger (the cheapest thing on the menu for $15 dollars). 

Saturday came and J. and M. took us to a farmer's market and then to Lincoln Park Zoo (interesting fact #2 - it is a FREE zoo). We took J&M out for lunch to thank them for allowing us to stay with them while we were in town and then headed out to our hotel near the airport. We stopped for dinner at a place (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives) called Smoque. I didn't order anything, but K.Hi was in bbq heaven! We signed in at the Hyatt and chilled a bit before getting ready for the event to end out our weekend: the NKOTBSB concert at the United Center. What a concert it was! It was the perfect mix of boyband greatness, if I may be so blunt! The shuttle back to our hotel from the airport subway was quite an adventure. I got spat on by a crazy person who I thought was going to take the shuttle driver hostage and/or turn around and knife me, but I survived!

New Kids On The Block AND Backstreet Boys

Not only did I have an amazing trip, I also got to cross off another new state visited on my 101 in 1001 list. 

Holidays with BwaLL

My boyfriend makes my heart go, (in the oh so eloquent words of Nicki Minaj), "Boom Badoom Boom, Boom Badoom Boom Boom" 

BwaLL and I have officially been dating for four and half months, but have known each other for almost a year. I have always been the first one in the room to show my disdain and "blahhhhh" demeanor when it comes to praising and going on and on about one's significant other which is why I haven't really made too much of a fuss over my relationship (even if I DO feel like shouting from the rooftops about how much I adore him!) With that said, BwaLL deserves all the praise and adoration in the world. He is the most kind, patient, and genuine man I have ever met. When we have an issue, we are always able to work it out. Our relationship is based on communication and honesty (even blunt honesty, though it is often hard to give and receive).

We just recently had a very eventful and productive weekend together (which is unusual since most of our weekends are very laid back and usually spent indoors).

BwaLL met up with me in Niagara Falls (Ontario-side) on Thursday night and we hit up Margaritaville for a late dinner. I suggested it because I remembered the Margaritaville in Las Vegas had great food and drinks; however, when we were seated in side, I remembered how LOUD the restaurant was. We were also seated in front of the stage where a Jimmy Buffet impersonator was performing, so we asked to be moved to the patio. I ordered the Cheeseburger In Paradise (just like Vegas) and it didn't disappoint!

The next morning we checked out of the hotel at noon and had LOTS of time to kill before the fireworks at 10pm started down near the falls. BwaLL suggested I wear sneakers, but being the stubborn person I am, I persisted that "you can't wear sneakers with a jean skirt! YOU JUST CAN'T!" It wasn't long before I was in pain and started to get grumpy, but poor BwaLL put up with me like a champ. We ate dinner at Boston Pizza and set up our blanket on the hill and played cards until the fireworks show began. What a show it was! Unfortunately, the traffic heading away from Clifton Hill was ridiculous and we spent a few hours in Brian's van before we could make our way out of the parking lot to head to his place for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday we decided to trek out to Stonybrook State Park in Dansville, NY for some sightseeing. A mutual online friend had told us about the waterfalls and we thought it would be a great idea and even made sure to ask if there would be intense hiking involved. She advised that it wasn't too bad, but she recommended not wearing sandals and it was slippery in areas. We left the house with a backpack full of water and granola bars and good running shoes! We started out along the Gorge Trail which led us into the stony trail full of beautiful waterfalls and babbling brooks. It was about a mile worth of walking and seemed fairly easy (give or take a few inclined step pathways).

 When we got to the top, instead of turning around and heading back along the same trail, we decided to take the East Rim Trail. When the rocky inclines started, we considered turning back and heading back through the gorge, but instead kept going forward. We were then too far too turn back and found ourselves at elevations we did NOT expect and trying to hike some serious inclines and steep rocky slopes we also did NOT expect. We finally neared the end after 2.5 hours since starting our exploration. After reading about the trails in Stonybrook I found out that the East Rim Trail has a moderate - difficult rating (definitely difficult for two non-hikers, lol) and is 1.25 miles long with elevations up to 400ft.

By the time we were done, we were so exhausted and hot we just wanted to get into the air conditioned car and find food. We had dinner at Uno's in Rochester, NY and it was delicious (free entreé from what we assume was our waiter's mistaken order from another table).

Sunday we drove to Fly Creek, NY to visit BwaLL's sister and fianceé and BwaLL's parents who were visiting from Connecticut. We all drove to Cooperstown, NY for a late lunch at a Lakeside Hotel restaurant where I had the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich (which I think they made with mozzarella cheese?) Om nom nom. We walked around the town and browsed different baseball memorabilia boutiques and then finally went to see the beach (which was beautiful). We had a fantastic visit and then headed home for the night. During the 2 hour and 45 minute drive back to Rochester, we randomly stopped at Tony's Pizzeria to use the restroom, and ended up buying a slice of cheese pizza for the rest of the ride home and it was SOOOOOOOOOOO delicious. Our drive home was full of fireworks for the 4th.

Unfortunately I had to leave the next day, but the weekend was great. Definitely memorable and jam-packed full of fun and adventure! Thank you for an amazing weekend, tiger ♥

Viva Las Vegas

"Las Vegas is sort of like how God would do it if he had money" ~Steve Wynn

Me: "K.Hi wants to go to Vegas for our 30th, but I'm not going to let her talk me into it". 

(Famous Last Words...)

As she put it, it was the PRICE that talked me into it. K.Hi found a great deal on Expedia.ca one day and sent me an email. Flight and accommodations on the strip in Las Vegas for $280.36 each. Ummm.... sold. 

We flew with Frontier Airlines. No one I talked to had ever heard of them before in Canada, but I found out later that the reason is because they are only a national airway company. Having been a little frightened at what I might be getting into, Frontier proved to be an great airline. The plane was better than the only other plane I've been on to compare it to. We were given complimentary drinks and cookies on each flight, as well as free direct TV because it was Superbowl Sunday.

K.Hi & I @ the Detroit Airport

When we got to Vegas, we checked in at our hotel (The Riviera -- one of the oldest on the strip with a great deal of historic charm). They upgraded us to one of the best rooms in the hotel for free (I'm assuming due to low occupancy). We got dressed up and took to the strip at about 9pm or so and walked the first few blocks with a stop at Treasure Island and 7-11 (where I purchased my first PBR ale and drank it walking home... in public... because it's Vegas and it's allowed!)

            

The Classic Riviera

Signature Room

We got up bright and early on Monday and took the bus (THE DEUCE) down the strip and started at Mandalay Bay and traveled in and out of a dozen different hotels, casinos and shops. Mapquest shows the distance from Mandalay Bay to The Riviera as 7.5 km, but if you include all the walking in and around resorts, it makes for quite the distance and quite a long day. We stopped at Margarita Ville for lunch and drinks before we continued on.

That night (after a long rest), we got all dressed up again and hit Caesars and The Bellagio. The fountain show in front of The Bellagio was the most memorable sight of Vegas for me. It is set to music (different songs) and happens every 15 minutes. I'm pretty sure we watched it at least three times. 

Fountain Show @ The Bellagio

Tuesday we took the bus downtown to Las Vegas Premium Outlets. Unfortunately, my Burberry scarf at outlet prices was still too steep :( $295.00 - ouch! Needless to say, it wasn't purchased. Instead I bought a scarf at the Gap for $6.97! Success!

Tuesday Night we went for dinner at The Nascar Cafe @ The Sahara which has been seen on Man Vs. Food. No we did NOT order the 6 lb burrito; however, their portions were HUGE! I didn't even make a dent in my curly fries. 

We also went to Paris Hotel & Casino where they have a half-sized replica of the Eiffel Tower. We spent the $15.00 to go up and it was well worth it. The view of the strip from all directions at 46 stories high was breathtaking. We were even able to watch the fountain show @ the Bellagio from atop the tower as it was right across the street. We also hit up the MGM Grand that evening where I won $68 on the penny slots! 

The Eiffel Tower @ Night

           

Fountain Show from the Eiffel Tower

On our last day, we went for a late breakfast at The Queen Victoria Pub and then spent our last hour or so at The Riviera Casino. This is where I was luckiest. The day beforehand, I had won $30 off of $3 in "Pennytown" at the Riv. I decided I couldn't leave Vegas without playing a table game. I waited for the one dude to leave the $1 Roulette Table and put down $40. The minimum bet was $5. Black 6 was lucky for me as I won with it TWICE! My other bets were paying off nicely as well and stacks of chips were piling up in front of me quickly. When K.Hi found me, I had over $140 worth of $1 chips stacked in front of me. After my next win, I cashed out at $154. It's not a lot for Vegas, but I was psyched! 

For not having wanted to go to Vegas in the first place, it won me over. There is so much to do and see and the sights and atmosphere are amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat! THAT's how you say goodbye to your 20's!!