Family Time

Back in the winter, we decided that a rendezvous in Chicago would be an appropriate use of the August long weekend. A slip was reserved, air tickets booked and our float plan organized with this in mind. Everyone contributed to a list of things to do. Reservations were made if required.

Emily arrived around 2 p.m. on Friday. She started her day at 5 a.m. and had a bit of a delay. So we loaded her things on the boat and headed along the Water Walk to an outdoor restaurant where we grabbed a late lunch. 

Elliott and Conor were coming from Toronto. In anticipation of long delays at security at Pearson, they opted to go early and “work” in the AC lounge until the 7 p.m. flight. Good thing as twenty people booked on an earlier fight didn’t make. They had put their names on a standby list and managed to catch the earlier flight. They arrived with enough time to take Moon Dance out for a sunset cruise then dinner on the boat.

Saturday was tourist day with a capital T. We headed out to a Starbuck’s Roastery on Michigan Avenue in the morning. It is huge – 34,000 square feet, 5 floors and a circular escalator. Oh and line-ups to get in and on each floor. But still fun to see. I was sorely tempted by a brown broad cloth and leather apron until I check the price tag – 149.99 $US was a little rich for my blood.

A quick exploratory visit to Nordstrom’s on Michigan Avenue – a whole city block with other stores inside. Then lunch at Rick Bayliss’s restaurant –  Xoco. John arrived first and while holding a place in line actually saw Rick park his car – a Volvo for those interested – and go into the restaurant. Made his day. The food was great too.

The afternoon was dedicated to The Art Institute of Chicago in Millennium Park. Emily and I headed back to the boat after the Cézanne Exhibit as I was running out of gas. Side note: I have often been underwhelmed by the Impressionists. Some that I have seen are staggeringly beautiful, many others look pretty rough. This exhibit has both. Perhaps because the really good ones are primarily in private collections and are not loaned out for exhibit.

There were exceptions though. The portrait of Cezanne’s father whose smile rivals the Mona Lisa’s was obviously painted with love, “The Negro Scipio” is another; a very moving piece that was owned by Monet. While not a commercial success, Cezanne’s work was admired by other artists of the first water as they say.

After a short nap and rinse off, we were off for an Architectural boat tour of downtown Chicago.  Definitely a must do if you are here. The docent points out the most significant buildings, names the architects and the engineering firm who created them, explains the style and its distinguishing characteristics. Many of the office buildings like the Chicago Tribune are being re-purposed as residential. Another building, a 10-storey brick, was used as a freezer (shades of mob stories). It took six months to thaw the building when it was sold for re-purposing. Now it is loft apartments/condos with balconies and four foot thick walls.

Diner was at Avli – a nearby Greek restaurant that Conor found. What a great choice! We opted for all appetizers and shared. The favourite was feta encrusted with sesame seeds but it was a difficult decision as all the plates were fantastic. We closed out Saturday watching the fireworks launched from Navy Pier and listening to J. Cole playing  at Lollapalooza.

Sunday we divided with the kids going to brunch, while we did a few boat chores. Then I went back to the Art Institute to explore further. It is an extensive collection including glass, furniture, weapons and art. I wandered by Georgia O’keefe, Remington,  a plethora of Hudson School painter, and one Lauren Harris (The Red Sleigh). America Gothic – it is a father and daughter, not husband and wife as I always supposed – was painted in 1929 to celebrate the resilience of American farmers – perhaps a little optimistic given the staggering loses during the “Dust Bowl” that soon followed. 

Scooter riding was the next order of business with Emily and Conor riding back to the marina on rental electric scooter. They had a blast so Emily convinced John and I to give them a try the next day. We survived rush hour in Chicago on scooters so a pair have been added to our wish list. They fold in half, are much smaller than bikes and half the weight. 

So much fun seeing the kids, combining our interests and catching up.