Grand Day Out

We hadn't really been in the city for a long time as a family. So we decided that this past weekend, with 60-70f weather, that it would be the perfect weekend for a lakefront bike ride. Plus with another baby on the way, it wouldn't be long before it becomes too tiring for Lorraine to go on long days out. So we packed up the bikes on the back of the truck, including the baby trailer, and off we went.

We parked at the Hancock Center. We had planned to park in Lakepoint Towers by Navy Pier, but they are now more expensive the John Hancock, WTF! We did find out though, for future reference, that if we get into the city before 10:30, the early bird rate is as low as $12 on the weekend, an absolute steal compared to the $29 for arrival at 10:45!

How and ever, after getting everyone set up, belted in, etc, what a rigmarole, we headed off Southwards first to North Avenue Beach. We know that area pretty well, as that is where they hold the air and water show. It was lunchtime by now, so we stopped at the beach there, had a quick dip, which Addison seemed to dislike a lot. Odd considering how much she enjoys the pool! We had a quick bite, Fish & Chips no less, at the beach cafe there.

We then turned around and headed Northwards back towards Millennium Park. I had to stop just as we turned though for this great view of the city. Here's a useless fact for you all..did you know that this week the Sears Tower, Chicago's tallest building, and in fact the tallest in the Western Hemisphere (not shown here) is now renamed the Willis Tower for the majority tenant, and UK insurance company Willis.

We biked all the way down to Millennium Park, to enjoy some paddling in the Crown Fountain. I stopped on the way to take a couple of pictures of the fountain in the Art Institute gardens to play with the settings on my new camera(picture at the end of the post)

Addison had a great time paddling around until she, inevitably, fell! So it was off for ice cream to recuperate, where I was asked if I was her father or grandfather!!!! Suitably deflated for the remainder of the day, it was no great surprise when I returned to the truck to find that my rear tire had come out in sympathy for me.

I was able to get some air into it, enough to get to the exit gate with my little battery pump, and the kind attendant lady had an electric one to inflate it enough to get home and to Sams Club, where they very generously fixed it for free, SCORE!

All in all an excellent day, despite my declining years!

Which picture do you prefer BTW..the super fast frozen in time shot, or the super slow, water in motion shot? As usual, more pictures can be found here.