Cloud Gate, aka "The Bean"

The shortest route to downtown Chicago for us is via the Chicago Skyway, a 7.8 mile toll road. After paying to get on and paying to get off, we arrived downtown.

Chicago is blip heaven on every block, but the Cloud Gate won out. Fondly nicknamed "The Bean", it's everyone's favorite place to photograph (yes, I'm there in the middle). This is directly beneath the sculpture.

Miller's Pub, est. 1935, was our lunch destination. The walls are dotted with signed celebrity photographs and oil paintings donated by Jimmy durante.

On our way back to the parking garage, we passed the cheeriest street beggar we've ever encountered. He asked if we had spare change so he could get drunk. He laughed, we laughed, I put change in his cup, and I was permitted a picture.

Next up was the graduation party of my drumming nephew and the birthday party of my niece.

Because this is my hometown I'm slightly partial, but I love this city.