SUE. Not her original head.
Saturday shenanigans original plan: A brunch before spending the afternoon at the Shedd Aquarium. Karen loves the sea otters and other furry marine mammals; I’m keen on all the aquatic creatures, critters and beasts.
We knew the plan was risky. The museums are free to Illinois residents this weekend. Often, we tend to make what we call “rookie mistakes”: “Hey, let’s plan a visit to a museum, park <insert event here> on the busiest day of the week, month, year, millennium!”
We were warned. We understood the situation. Nevertheless, we persisted.
The Eleven City Diner in the South Loop never disappoints.
The Shedd
As we rolled up on the Shedd, Karen spotted a gathering of people that set off an alarm. “Is that the line? Nah, it couldn’t be the line…probably just a group of tourists.” As we crested the hill we took in the view: “Yep. That’s the line. …Damnit.”
The optimistic rally!
We gathered ourselves and debated Adler Planetarium or Field Museum? Field Museum! Why not? Karen hadn’t been there in years and…SUE the T. Rex!
Taking in the beauty of the neoclassic architecture of the Field Museum.
Remembering why Karen hadn’t been to the Field Museum.
Shortly after entering, we lingered taking in the sights of SUE and Carl Akeley’s fighting African elephants. It was then Karen realized why she hasn’t visited the Field Museum recently: taxidermy. She’s not a big fan. Nope.
We plotted an optimal path through the Field Musuem. How best to avoid taxidermied creatures? We chose to focus on Conservation and, oddly, Lichens.
We’d almost finished the Conservation exhibit when we heard the closing announcement and chimes. I’d lost my mental map of the museum and, sadly, took a path to the exit past ALL OF THE TAXIDERMY CREATURES. Birds, deer, reptiles (the snakes are impressive), cats, panthers…all of the Magical Creatures Of The Earth. I tried to scout ahead but each attempt lead to closed stairwells or more esoteric, extinct taxidermy specimins.
The trauma was real.
Ending the day on a high note!
Our walk through Grant Park was relaxing and restorative. The day finished on a high note as we managed to remember to avoid taking the Orange line from Roosevelt. The Orange line enters the Loop on the Southeastern corner and travels clockwise to Wabash and Lake. The Green line doesn’t make a full circuit, traversing on the North and Eastern sides of the Loop. Three stops home, not five, for the win!
Falling down laughing…..at least you have an accurate barometer of what’s popular, though your inner GPS does not warn you to avoid the jam of people and the doom of closing time!
Ah! So glad you laughed with us! We had a fun day. And you’re right…my inner GPS tends to point me to the danger.
Hope you are well!
Blue skies, mountains visible on both horizons beyond Seattle! Life is good on a sunny Sunday. No dino scares, only timeless scenery.
Oh, so happy for you! I love those “blue bird” days!
After reading your recommendation “Too High and Too Steep”I can’t help but think of the dinosaurs roaming our area before the ice meandered down our way.
That was fun.
Sweet! Glad you enjoyed the day! Hope you are well!