Chicago: the About This Page:

[DouglasE]

Monday, September 6, 2004

<font color="blue"> Millenium Park is adjacent to Grant Park. We headed over there even though it turned out that the Jazz Festival was over. I still can't believe I screwed up like that. But going the day after it was all over was a nice treat because there were hardly any people around. We just stolled around at a leisurely place. We even found parts of the park that Nathan and Jeffrey hadn't explored before. That's a plus, isn't it? Buckingham Fountain is just iconic Chicago to me. I had seen it when I lived in Chicago, but it was nice to revisit. We just sat on a bench by the Founatain, enjoyed the view of the Chicago skyline and people watched. People can be very funny. As I said, it was a lazy Monday and we just enjoyed being...well, lazy.

At Grant Park, there is another statue of Lincoln that was done by the same sculptor as the one over at Lincoln Park. We scoped him out too. The Santa Fe building was not that far away. I wanted to pop back in there and pick up some souvenirs. The Chicago Architecture Foundation store just has the best souvenirs as far as I was concerned. Nathan was more than happy to pop back over there. He really wanted me to pick up something kitchy like a fridge magnet or t-shirt to commemorate my visit. There are so many cool items at the CAF store, not a kitchy type of place. I ended up purchasing two CD's. Each CD was chock full of pictures and information from each of the walking tours I went on. I thought it would be an excellent way to revisit that part of my trip and walk down memory lane in the future. Each CD had hundreds of pictures. I also picked up a book on Chicago architecture with great pictures. I wanted to get a tshirt. But the prices! Oy vey! I'll just create one of my own at home.

I also wish the weather was better on this day. It was overcast and generally gloomy. A few drizzling showers happened. But overall, we managed to stay dry. </font>


I had plenty of time to rest!


Nathan and Jeffrey at play in Grant Park


Buckingham Fountain


Chicago skyline behind the founatain

[GoofyMom]

Good to see you back with more of your trip and more pictures!

[luvnwdwgal]

Thanks for the update! I really like the skyline pic!

[DouglasE]

Monday, September 6, 2004


The Undiscovered Garden at Grant Park

<font color="purple">We wanted to head to the Magnificent Mile because Nathan and Jeffrey really wanted to hit Marshall Fields. I'm not a big shopper, unless I have money to spend. Let's face it, that's a rare occurence in my life. I don't like to browse. I'm more of a man on a mission type of guy. On our way over we stopped into a little park like area next to the Art Institute. Ordinarily, I would say that the Art Institute of Chicago would be a must see destination. However, since I used to live in Chicago that was one of the places I had visited in the past.

We also managed to sneak into the Palmer House which looks like a really great hotel in downtown Chicago. The lobby was beautiful and Nathan wanted to be sure I got a chance to see it. The Palmer House is a part of the Hilton hotel family and is located at 17 E. Monroe Street. From the Palmer House we moved on to the Magnificent Mile. If you have money to shop, this is the place to go to shop in Chicago. For New Yorkers, think Fifth Avenue. Once again, I had been to Water Tower Place when I lived in Chicago and had been up and down the Magnicient Mile before. If you head to Chicago in December, be sure to check out the great Christmas displays.

Prior to this trip I thought gay bars had the potential to be a cruisy destination. Marshall Fields is an upscale HUGE department store. Marshall Fields was waaaay more cruisy on Labor Day than most gay bars in most metropolitan cities that I've been to. It was unbelievable. I ventured down into the basement searching for Nathan and Jeffrey. We had gotten separated. The basement was the home of home furnishings. It was gay men central. I felt like when I stepped down there as if I was a lobster just dropped into the tank in a restaurant. According to Nathan, the men's rooms at Marshall Fields are an adventure in and of themselves. While I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary there, I must say Marshall Fields certainly has very CLEAN bathrooms. Always a plus! Eventually, I reconnected with Nathan and Jeffrey and we went looking at things that they were interested in. What we looked at I just can't recall. The building itself is beautiful with incredible artwork on the ceilings. It's incredible to visit even if you have no intention of buying a single thing, like me! </font>


Little park area outside the Art Institute of Chicago


Jeffrey enjoying our rest break at the Art Institute


Most of you should know by now how much I like to play with public sculpture. I was going to do this whole thing where I was going to either ride on top of one of the lions at the Art Institute or I was going to be trapped underneath a lion in mock fear. Instead, I was too tired to be bothered with climbing up and playing with lions. Maybe I learned a lesson from Sigfried and Roy. The shot I took at the entrance of the Art Instute with the lion still came out rather well I thought (even sans antics).


Palmer House Lobby


Jeffrey and I set in the splendour of Palmer House

[DouglasE]

Monday, September 6, 2004

<font color="red">While shopping we stopped at the Walnut Room at Marshall Fields. I had never been there. In fact, I didn't even know it existed. The Walnut Room is a beautiful restaurant. The chandeliers with oodles of Austrian crystal GLEAMED! It was my favorite restaurant and meal of the entire trip. Thank goodness it was Labor Day. That was my excuse for dressing down. Otherwise, this room really deserves folks to be dressed with pizazz. I wouldn't have worn a tux, but I would have liked to show up in a blazer at least. We were having a late lunch. I think we probably arrived around three in the afternoon. We were seated immediately and the room wasn't busy at all. At first it seemed that our server wasn't supposed to be working. At least that's the impression I got. But she took care of us right away instead of making us wait. Her name was Frances. We know how to treat wait staff. I'm sure Frances enjoyed serving us. Another server made an attempt to try and take over our table. We told him, "oh no. Frances has been helping us, she's got everything covered." We let her know about the incident and she let us know how much she appreciated us. By the time the meal was done, it felt like Frances was a member of the family. I can't recall what the heck I had to eat. I do remember it was delicious. I do remember my dessert. Frances helped me decide on my dessert. It was Kahlua chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Fab-u-lous! The next time I venture back to Chicago, I am definitely having another meal at this restaurant. The other great thing was since it wasn't that busy, we really could linger over our meal. We took our time and that is great for the digestion.

Once we left the restaurant, we wandered around Marshall Fields some more. Guess what we found!?! A framed picture of Frances! She has been a server there since 1978! They had this little wall set up as like a "hall of fame" of servers at the Walnut Room. No wonder she was so great, after 25+ years, she should know what she's doing. Hopefully, the next time I go back she'll be working again and I can request to be at one of her tables. </font>


"Cheers!"
Enjoying my ice tea at the Walnut Room


The sinful, decadent Kahlua Chocolate Cake


Frances' portrait

[DopeyGirl]

[ QUOTE ]


Chicago skyline behind the founatain

[/ QUOTE ]

Douglas . . . the minute I saw this picture, the theme song from "Married . . . with Children" started playing in my head!!! Yep, I do believe that is the same fountain from the opening of the show!

Really enjoying your report . . . and so glad there was another update!!! I have been looking forward to it!!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Another great update!!

[Colexis Mom]

So glad you're back writing again Douglas! More great pictures! Boy, that cake looks yummy

Hurry back with more

[MegglesMom]

Douglas-- I just caught up with your report. It's fantastic!! Looking forward to reading more...

[DouglasE]

Monday, September 6, 2004

<font color="brown"> After Marshall Fields, we decided to head back to home base. I hung out on the guys' back deck and read a book. It was a very relaxing time. Good way to decompress. Eventually Jeffrey joined me out there and we had a nice little chat as we watched the neighbors come and go.

Soon dinnertime arrived. The plan was to have Chinese take out at one of Jeffrey and Nathan's friends. He lives in the building next to theirs. Once again, he had a great space. The Chinese food was your typical take out fare. I gobbled up my share for sure. We had a great time hanging out. I did learn about the power of perception. Nathan and Jeffrey were on their best behavior because they didn't think I would be comfortable with off-color sense of humor. This cracks me up because with a crowd back home I get the distinct impression that they are all convinced I have this secret wild, crazy side. The truth is somewhere in between. It was time to call it a night early. I had to get up early in the morning to catch my flight. </font>

[DouglasE]

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

<font color="purple"> I had to get up around 5 am to catch my flight. Jeffrey or Nathan had left a note in the bathroom saying "Don't even think about leaving without saying good-bye. Wake us up." It's a good thing they did that because I was fully intending on slipping out and letting them sleep. After our hugs, I took the EL down to Midway airport. At Midway all went relatively smoothly. Once again I had to forgo a nice seat to sit on the floor so I could get a decent seat on the plane, since it is basically first come first served. Since Nathan and Jeffrey didn't have a printer at their house, I ended up being assigned to the B group for boarding. I still managed to score a window seat. The flight home was uneventful. Isn't that what you want?

Overall, I had an incredible time during my trip. I was sorely tempted to move. However, since I've lived there before and was quite familiar with a Chicago winter, that was not happening any time soon.

I loved catching up with Jeffrey, Nathan, and Jerry. Jeffrey is now employed in a job he loves. It's the job he interviewed for when I was visiting! I'm now his good luck charm. Jerry went to visit Key West for his birthday. I wished I could have joined him. We share a fantasy involving a Winnebago and travelling across country with some very special guests. Gary, Nathan's buddy, has found the "love of his life" in a United Airlines flight attendant. John, Jeffrey's friend, is doing well. Chicago will be host to the Gay Games in 2006. Hmmmm, I have no plans for the summer of 2006...yet.</font>

Assorted photos from the trip:

[JoanW]

I love your trip reports Douglas. I'm going to go back through it now that it's all done and take notes of what I want to see and do. I've never been to the Windy City, but I've been wanting to for years (no really decades!)

[DopeyGirl]

Great report Douglas!!!

Makes me want to go back to Chicago!!! Last time I was there, I was in Navy boot camp . . . didn't get to see much!!!

[Cats'N'Dogs]

Douglas, I really enjoyed your trip report. About 10 years ago my late husband and I enjoyed a wonderful long weekend in Chicago. Your TR brought back many wonderful memories, thank you!

[chezp]

Douglas, thank you so much for finishing up this report - I have loved reading every bit of it and Chicago is now definitely down on our list of places we must visit one day. That shot of the fountain with the skyline behind stands out in my mind - beautiful. Thanks again for sharing this with us!