FIELD OF DREAMS and CHICAGO!

Coincidence: we love our Roots it seems. :)

“If you build it, he will come.”

Our 11 hour drive into Chicago from South Dakota had only one memorable pit-stop: the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa! Yes, it really exists! The place where dreams come true. The farmhouse and the baseball field are still intact; admission is free. The only things that weren’t there were the cornstalks since it is November (and, of course, no ghosts of baseball past)… but there was a whispering voice on the horizon… “Go the distance, Mark and Megan. Go the distance…”

Meg and I both ran around the bases, and wished we had brought our baseball gloves. “Do you want to have a game of catch?”

We said goodbye to Iowa and entered the state of Illinois. Much more support here for Obama than in Iowa. Not much to share, but entering Chicago in our car, we experienced frustration. Here’s a conversation:

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: That’ll be 3 dollars.

MARK: Oh. Is there a toll road ahead?

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: Nope. You been driving on one.

MARK: What? That pot-holed, bumpy road back there?

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: Yep. Thaz it.

MARK: Okay. Alright. Here’s my credit card.

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: No credit or debit. Just cash.

MARK: Ah, okay. (Scrounges for change) Here ya go.

(Car horn beeps behind us; impatience)

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: This won’t do. (Hands back some Canadian quarters)

MARK: Oh, aren’t those worth more than American quarters?

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: Don’t know. Need American.

MARK: Well, we’re here at the front of the line with no American money; can’t use debit or credit; and you don’t accept Canadian. What do we do now?

(Man writes up a ticket; takes down our license plate; tells us we have 7 days to pay online)

MARK: Thank you kindly. How many more of these toll-booths are there?

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: Two more. You should get some American money before you get there.

MARK: Can’t you guys use cameras to mark down our license plate when we enter the toll road and then also when we exit? That might be much more efficient.

OLD-TOLL BOOTH MAN: Don’t know about that. Thank you kindly.

After this absurdity, we found ourselves staying at the luxurious Hyatt hotel near the O’Hare Airport. Megan found the deal online for $58. What a deal! The lobby was gigantic! The room magnificent! Probably, the most comfortable bed we’ve slept in since the trip began.

 

The next morning, we took the ‘L’ into downtown Chicago. Ah, Chicago! What do I think about when I hear that name? Al Capone and the Untouchables. The Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, and da Bears. ER, Home Alone, Second City, and The Blues Brothers. Harpo and Oprah. Roger Ebert, Planes Trains and Automobiles, the musical Chicago and Wayne’s World… on and on and on….

On the shores of Lake Michigan, we wandered over to the reflective Bean, actually called Cloud Gate. This place is a lot of fun; Megan and I spent a good deal of time here taking pictures and being goofy. Afterwards, we looked high and low for a good restaurant in Magnificent Mile; found it in Stout, where we ordered grilled cheese and a side order of mac and cheese. Well… they served the mac and cheese on the grilled cheese, and the bread they used was massive! Meg and I had a few bites and were instantly stuffed. Argh. We forgot that the portions are always bigger down here.

After downtown Chicago, we strolled over (an hour stroll) to the United Center, home of the Bulls and Blackhawks. Posed in front of the Michael Jordan statue. Now, Megan absolutely loves Michael Jordan; she was a super fan back in the day (and still is). Who doesn’t love Michael Jordan? We bought standing room tickets for cheap to end the night on a high note. In the end, we acquired unfilled seats. What a deal!

The Chicago Bulls were playing the New Orleans Hornets. Now, our Bulls didn’t win, but it was still exciting watching a Bulls home game. From the ceiling hung the pennants of the Chicago Bulls NBA Wins: 91, 92, 93 and 96, 97, 98. What a team! Michael Jordan! What a player!

Scottie Pippin in attendance (wearing blue blazer courtside)

Tomorrow, we head back into Canada to Elmvale, Ontario! Once safely back, we’ll answer the trivia question and add one more post to conclude this trip. Don’t fear, a week after we get back, we’re off to Malaysia! Our blog will be there with us along the way; hope you are too, faithful readers.