Our visit not to the Shedd

Last weekend included a quick trip down to Chicago.  Greg swam with the kids Friday evening while I went to the temple.  And then I took the kids to breakfast in the morning while Greg had his turn at the temple.  Then we headed downtown, excited to visit the Shedd Aquarium for the first time.  We had been putting off the Shedd because we had yet to figure out some student/military/reciprocal membership way to get in cheap.  But this time we were determined to visit, credit card in hand for the full-price tickets.

Then we saw the line to get inside.  And we realized our mistake.  It was the weekend of the Chicago Marathon (and Columbus Day to boot).  This was no run of the mill Indian summer Saturday.  It was the kind of weekend when an ordinarily crowded tourist attraction is EXTRAordinarily crowded.  (Anyone ever been to a Smithsonian the day after Thanksgiving?)  The thought of paying eighty bucks to be a sardine, and not just look at them, made me EXTRAordinarily grouchy.

As much as I wanted to meet Granddad...

...we stepped out of line.

And enjoyed the views.

Time for a plan B.  Having already paid to park our car at Soldier Field, we hopped onto a nearby water taxi to enjoy a little relaxing on lovely Lake Michigan.  (I couldn't believe how beautiful the lake was!)

Then we took a river taxi up to Michigan Avenue.  (It was pretty cool, to be floating among the skyscrapers.  A great way to enjoy the city's architecture.)  Did I mention it was a gorgeous day?

Then we decided to walk the Magnificent Mile.  Why?  Well, why not?  That's what every other single human being on the planet was doing Saturday.  We made our way to the Lego Store, of which we have fond memories.  But it's different now.  Boo!  Also, every single human being on the planet, plus all those visiting from other planets, were in there with us.  (But, of course, we bought something cool, so why am I complaining?)

By the way, I believe the Magnificent Mile should be renamed the Miraculous Mile...because our kids walked.  Block after block after block, they walked.  A whole mile.  With relatively minimal whining.  It'a miracle!

Then we took the bus back to Soldier Field, and retrieved our car.

On our way out of town we stopped in the suburbs for dinner and a quick stop at Ikea--because what's more fun than Ikea on a Saturday afternoon?  (Ha.)

Then we went home and went to bed.

And, truly, it was a happy, delightful day.  (Even if I had to share it with a gazillion people and saw nary a fish.)