Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

More about that in a minute. From our last post we left you in Rushville, IL. We were in south-west Illinois to visit old neighbors from Chino, the Seals. We arrived late Friday night along with a storm. While the fireworks were postponed the following evening, we were able to catch up on the last 15 years that separated visits. Most of our conversations took place around big kitchen table where we shared laughs and stories as various family and friends joined in. The Seals live in a beautifully restored, completed by themselves, Victorian home. Jess' favorite part of the visit was the funnel cake and strawberry shake-ups at the county fair. Oh, and that the Seals like to sleep in. I have to admit I liked that too. However, my favorite may have been the Mud Sling at the county fair or maybe the relaxed pace of this small town. It has the ability to calm you down and appreciate the beauty that surrounded this place.

We were sad to leave, but we heard the beckon call of Chicago (as sung by Sufjan Stevens). Our trip there made a slight detour through Springfield, home of Lincoln. There we experienced the Lincoln museum, which was incredible. This is highly recommended. There were a myriad of interesting, educational, and inter-active exhibits. We wished we could have stayed longer. After a quick stop at Lincoln's tomb, were we enjoyed a sandwich, as tradition dictates, it was off to Chicago, our kind of town.

Today was jammed-pack full of experience and fun. We went on an architectural boat tour that gave us the lay of the city. At the Art Institute of Chicago there were impressionists and American painters for us to see. American Gothic, Nighthawks, Van Goph, and Renoir to name a few. After a quick bite and a tour through Millennium Park we headed to Wrigley Field. 

15 years ago the Cooper family came to watch the Cubs battle the Braves. Four days before we arrived in Chicago, baseball went on strike. As we entered the gates today it became a much different experience then was had 15 years ago. I became so thankful at what my parents did for us then and overcome with joy at the new experience Jess and I were sharing together. The confines did not disappoint. Derek Lee hit a home run. The Braves hit one too... and it was thrown back. We sang Take Me Out To The Ball Game with Eric Estrada. And to cap off the evening we lingered with Cub faithful to sing Go Cubs Go. What a night!

Tomorrow we head to Minneapolis. We're sad to leave but excited to see more friends.