Summer in Chicago Really IS Something Else

After the big Asia trip cancellation, I assumed I had the whole summer to visit Rachel and Will before they move to Colorado in September. A couple of weeks ago, however, we realized that there was only one free weekend available for a Chicago visit, so I jumped on it!

I have been hearing how great Chicago is in the summer ever since I met Matt and Rachel. I do love the city but always poo poo the winter factor. But after this weekend, I am really convinced it's like a beach town in the middle of a cool city.

As with any visit to Chicago, Home of the Bears and Boyles, I was given the golden treatment. I arrived at 7am on Friday morning and since Rach was working, Sal picked me up from the airport and I borrowed Rach's Mom for the day. We had many planning e-mails about heading downtown to museums and how would we coordinate keeping my suitcase downtown for Rach to pick me up etc etc. Well, Sal and I were having such a lovely and relaxing time at their house, we just chilled. It was absolutely perfect. Although we did manage slip in a beach trip before we met up with Rach.

Even though I really want to get to know Will better, I didn't mind getting Rachel all to myself this weekend. We biked everywhere (see pic below and please note Rach's heavy duty lock), beached, went to a street festival, drank wine and most importantly, just talked. I got to see the regular cast of Chicago characters, Joe, Nana, Church friends, a cousin, and her sis Laura.

I'm really looking forward to our next visit when she and Will are settled in Denver. By then, she'll probably be outfitted in hiking boots and hemp clothes ;)