Leg 1 Epliogue: Chicago

We took a couple of days off here in Chicago to visit family and explore the city. We're staying with Peter (Marna's brother), Jill, and Malcolm.

On Saturday, Peter and Malcolm met us partway along our route, and we rode together for the last bit. We mostly spent the evening catching up with P&J, and being taught (by Malcolm) how to play various board games.

On Sunday, we took the train out to Wheaton to visit with "D&E", Marna's aunt and uncle. This was especially nice for me, since I haven't seen them in a few years -- for whatever reason, I've been at the family events that they aren't and vice-versa. Wheaton's local history museum was erected by John Quincy Adams as a memorial to his late wife. I asked what the connection with Wheaton was, and they said "Oh, it's not that John Quincy Adams" -- it was like a second-cousin thrice-removed or something like that.

We're trying to take it easy so that we don't wear out our legs. So, our evening event was just a movie (★★★ Blue Heron) and a walk around the Wicker Park neighborhood.

Today, Jill snuck us into the Art Institute of Chicago for a couple of hours. We also went to the Chicago Architectural Center and the central (Harold Washington) Library.

Chicago is probably this country's most interesting/strinking city, architecturally. The city is huge and so there's tons of buildings to look at. Each time you peek around a new corner, there's more to see.

The weather remains quite chilly! We are perpetually underdressed because we did not want to lug around heavy/warm clothes on our bikes the whole way. I brought a throwaway thrift-store 80's-style baseball jacket that isn't really cutting it when the wind blows! I think this will be worth it though, by starting the trip early in the year, we should be able to get home before the worst of the heat and humidity really sets in. I'd rather shiver today than slog through a heat wave later. At least that is what I am telling myself now.

Tomorrow we set off on our bikes again. Destination... Chicago! (but, like, the south part)