Monday 3 December - Chicago City

Well we have learned one thing in Chicago and that is that 31 October is a very important date! Basically after that date anything of interest to tourists that has some outdoor aspect to it, closes until April! So today we have undertaken our own walking tours - we had hoped to take the free trolley bus to Navy Pier after lunch but discovered that it only runs on weekends until it resumes daily runs for the week prior to Christmas.

Good sleep in our hotel last night without being disturbed by the fire engines and other emergency vehicles. Breakfasted at 8am and then headed off to look at the shops nearby. Visited Nordstrom Department store and the only handbag that Alison looked at was reduced to $777. Left after that shock and walked past Burberry, Cartier, etc. Went into Holy Name Catholic Cathedral for a look but were disappointed that they seem to have replaced all their stained glass windows with rather boring ones which do not tell a story. Saw a beautiful old house which reflects the residences of the area from the late 1800s

and then visited the Episcopal Cathedral but had to make do with peering through glass panels in the locked doors.

Visited a supermarket and purchased our lunch supplies - last of the big spenders, $1.30 loaf of bread, 1/2 lb of thinly sliced Black Angus roast beef and a squirty bottle of honey mustard. Enjoyed our home made lunch in our hotel room and then all had a quick nanna nap before heading off for a long walk along the southern bank of the Chicago River all the way to Lake Michigan.

Taking many photos of the beautiful and ornate buildings along the way and being entertained by a little grey squirrel.

Jenny and her hips made it there and back and Alison and Philip then headed further down the main shopping street to Macys and the Palmer House Hotel for a look at the beautiful foyer of this historic building.

Now back at the hotel settled in for the evening and we have enjoyed our second dinner of Giordanos pizza. Microwaves in suites are a god send.