Great Lakes Tour 2008

The Cooks continues the Great Lakes Tour 2008- hitting popular destinations including:
ChicagoDeerfieldGlenviewNorthbrookGurneeNow- we’re onto Michigan…Dexter, Dearborn, Plymouth and East Lansing- and I’m sure some others along the way.
We’ve been busy- and have eaten a lot!
Here’s some of the excitement…
Friday started early with the plane ride and landing in Chicago.
We went to pick up the rental car- they (Thrifty) decided that a 2-door Sebring convertible was perfect for us….thankfully, Scott had enough sense to update to a mini-van. Yes, it cost a little more- but it’s worth it in the long run if he doesn’t have to hear me complain all week.
Next- pick up Katie and head to …eat.Went to a great place called Stanley’s. Look it up next time you’re in Chicago- it’s awesome. Trivia: What restaurant did it used to be?? Answer- Jim McMahon’s- we went there once for Julie’s birthday.
Then- off to Lincoln Park Zoo- so much fun….We had a gorilla try to place with Brendan through the class- that scared him too much for it to be fun…we laughed though! He also wants a Polar Bear- Brendan and one of the bears bonded…Brendan did say the bear can sleep in his bed…so that at least works for us!

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The highlight of the day for the grownups….
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Then for dinner- Connie’s Pizza- simply the best around.

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It’s right next to Chinatown in the city. Ironically enough, breaking news down the street made getting home a challenge.Some trucker crashed his truck into the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Chinatown station- killing at least 2 people. My dad called from Florida during our dinner to tell us about it. We would have had no idea otherwise. Thankfully- we were safe stuffing ourselves silly.
Saturday- hung out with some family and went to Northbrook to let the kids run around the park. But man- I know it’s colder in the Midwest normally, but this is nuts!!! 45 degrees in April…almost May! Tonight there’s even a chance of snow!!! (Which Brendan is really excited about.)
Sunday- family day…then to one of our other favorite restaurants…Hackney’s.
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Yes- the trip is all about food.
We’ve left the icy rain and are now in Michigan.
More to come!!