A Few Days In Chicago . . .

 

 

Off we go for a few days in Chicago

Amtrak from Holland, Michigan

to Chicago/Union Station.
 

pictured from the left

Jane, JoAnn, Me, Jean, Pat, Lynn

Deanna was taking the picture

you'll meet her soon

 

We planned for some
walking, shopping and relaxing

plus we had tickets to see

Bette Midler at the Untied Center

Thursday evening.

 

Many of the gals are friends of mine from years ago.

Well . . . they still are friends,

I just don't see them as often and

I don't live where I did
when we used to spend weekends together
and when we were busy raising our families

 

EXCITED

We arrived early Thursday morning in Chicago  
in the midst of the Blackhawks celebrating 
 in a full force parade, their Stanley Cup victory..
 

It was a sea of red and black for blocks.
Our hotel was right off Michigan Avenue
and right in the midst of the parade crowd.
 
It was an amazing happy spirit all around us.

 

We checked in to the Omni Hotel and
took off for an early lunch at Bandera (above)
and a bit of afternoon shopping.
Great lunch and wonderful diverse conversation.



After a few hours of shopping
we went back to our hotel
to get ready for dinner and Bette Midler.
 

Wildflower provided the perfect atmosphere
for the upcoming Bette Midler concert
A 40's atmosphere, with large photos of well known
movie star artists here and there.
The dark décor, lights and warmth created a wonderful ambiance.

I must say . . .one of the best steaks I have ever had.
We all totally loved dinner and the evening.
Deanna is in this photo,
sitting to the right of Jean on the end.



I was excited to see and be in The United Center.
I watched many Chicago Bulls televised basketball games with
Michael Jordon, Scotty Pippin plus others, for many years.
I was a diehard MJ fan . . . loved to watch him play basketball. 

The screen above is what greeted us as we entered the center.
 JoAnn's daughter Amy helped with some of the travel plans.
No disappointment in any of her planning.
Our awesome front and center seats were perfect.
Thanks Amy and JoAnn!
 

 

Soon after we arrived, the screens lit up with

Bette Midler

 

She hasn't lost any of her zest and sass. 

Her energy was unbelievable,

 she sang and danced,

went back and forth from one end of the stage to the other

and appeared much younger than her 69 years of age.

 

 AMAZING

 

I remember vividly her first appearance on Johnny Carson.

I have enjoyed her since then.

The love and regard Johnny and Bette

had for one another was forever evident. 

 

 

We walked to Tempo for breakfast in the morning.

We passed this Irish pub on the way back to the hotel. 

I asked someone at the door to take our picture. 

My daughter Suzie and I stopped in here last year

when we were in Chicago to see the Christmas lights.    

 

 

 

Here we are sitting in front of the Cheesecake Factory.

Notice the coats.

It was 80+ on Thursday and in the 60's most of Friday. 

Such a great discussion we had . . . 

 

 

 

We walked back to the hotel to get our bags and were

greeted with glasses of champagne.

I am not a champagne gal but I didn't refuse

and made a toast with the others to

Champagne Friday. 

 

 

Deanna and Jane and their husbands

will be in Argentina in September

visiting their friend Herman and family.

This photo was for Herman!

~

And that is it!

Great people, great fun, great memories.

 

FANTASTIC

~

I will be back soon,

Love, Lynne