Chi-town 4 life

We're back. And it was fun. The end.

No, just kidding. You'll have to forgive me, I'm just a teensy bit exhausted after our big weekend but I did, in fact, take exactly 430 pictures to commemorate the trip. I planned on showing you just 10 of my faves tonight but somehow I had to pick 25 right off the bat. I hope you don't mind.

My feet are still pulsating from the insane amount of walking we did. I am not joking when I say we walked for at least 6 hours each day around the freaking fabulous city of Chicago, and because I am stubborn and 'didn't want to look like a tourist' I insisted on wearing ballet flats the first day and flip flops the second. By today, the third day, I caved and wore my running shoes....because let's be honest: wearing a giant SLR camera around my neck pretty much gave away my tourist self way more than a pair of tennies would ever do. And besides, my feet were too blistered to don the cutesy shoes again. I'm just that stubborn, you guys.

So many stories to share, including but not limited to: us almost getting into a fight with some lady at a souvenir shop, me burning my entire mouth with scalding hot Starbucks--resulting in a partially numb tongue for the remainder of our trip, sightings of amazing/drool-worthy SLRs, classic Nate quotes galore, and did I mention....I took freaking 430 pictures. Geesh. I may have to do another post sometime later this week but for now, let's get started:

This is 'Big John', aka The John Hancock building. We stayed right across the street from this beast and even took the ride to the top for some great views. I am in love with this city, you guys.


Then there was this totally random sculpture of the classic painting. It reminds me of Nate and me in about 40 more years....me with a really annoyed look on my haggard face, and Nate with a pitch fork. Random, yes?



Ah, the river, buildings, Star-beezy, and my hubs. Yes, it was a good trip.


Millenium Park is the freaking bomb. So urban, industrial, and modern. Can you spot us in the magic bean?



Totally psychedelic, dude.


I took this shot and when we got to our hotel room later that day, they had a nearly-identical shot framed in our room. I was so excited about unknowingly copying a professional shot I nearly peed myself. I quite like it, with the reflections and all.


We saw the State Street Memorial Day parade and the Police horses were in full force. I've always wanted a horse shot like this, just to be like Pioneer Woman with her earthy/vintage horses. Love.


Saturday night I toted the tripod along with us to Navy Pier and boy, it was worth it. Please note the awesome misty fountain....in nearly no light. Love you, tripod!


Again, I've always admired ferris wheel shots like this but of course, a tripod is a must. After a few takes we got it...and even captured the carosel, too!


Night shots are my new favorite thing. And so is the Chicago skyline.


Oh, hello, f/1.8. Lovely bokeh you're bringing these days. And the subject isn't too bad, either.




Then there's me, surrounded by bokeh. Love.


Carosels have always fascinated me, but now armed with a nice camera I took about 50 shots of this baby.



[sidenote: can anyone tell me why I'm getting those odd reflections of light in my shots? Does it have something to do with my lens filter or what? Confused.]


Then there were the fireworks. Yep, about another 50 here.


I demanded to get a 'street shot' like this on our way back to the hotel, despite Nate's growing annoyance with the tripod. Worth it? I think so.




Sunday we walked another ridiculous amount, and stopped at Buckingham fountain for a classic 'touristy' shot.


After walking all the way to the Shedd Museum, we discovered a TWO HOUR wait just to get inside. We decided it wasn't worth it and instead, went to Lincoln Park for these babies: mini-burgers!


Also, we went to the zoo where my telephoto lens came out to play.




Tripod hotel shots are the best way to fully capture the trip, don't you think?


Monday: the day I vowed to get shots of this awesome sign.


And from the top of the world [Big John] we got to see all of Chicago's glory. Seriously, I love this town.

But it feels fabulous to be back home with this little bugger, too. Although we shopped all over Michigan avenue for ourselves, we came back home nearly empty handed. Well, except Henry got a new pimped out collar from a little doggy boutique. Of course we spent more money on our little man than we did ourselves! I'm digging the red preppy stripes, aren't you?


So that's just the tip of the iceberg and it will do for now. If I regain my strength perhaps I will tell more stories and share more pictures. But seriously, Chicago is the bomb. The next time we go just might be marathon weekend....we'll see if I love Chicago after that. :)