It's great to be busy, and stinks to feel lazy, so for whichever reason, I apologize for the nearly four week pause between posts. If you haven't read Part I or it's been so long since you did that you don't remember, go read it now.
After a good night's rest, we were ready to take in some sights in the daylight. Looking out the window to get a feel for which direction we might go first, I looked down to the river and spotted something floating. It looked to be about the size of a human body...
It was very likely NOT a body, since the water taxi passengers were not very concerned.
We decided to head to Navy Pier since we had a few hours before game time, and there is some cool stuff to see. The first cool thing for me was the view of the city pier-side.
Being on the pier made it absolutely obvious why Chicago is referred to as the Windy City. I actually thought N might blow off of the pier into the water a few times.
I got to see a real lighthouse for the first time. I realize they are very common, and functional, but you don't see them in the middle of corn fields or pastures, which is what most of my existence has been surrounded by, and people like to decorate with them, so enjoy (and shut up.)
Since I hadn't been here before, and there was so much I want to remember, I figured I needed a souvenir to commemorate my adventure on Navy Pier. What would make the most sense? A shot glass? A hat? All too run-of-the-mill for me. Ooohhh, how about an anchor!
I couldn't get the darned thing in my pocket, so I settled for a Chicago pint glass instead (in Royal Blue, of course.)
It had become time to eat again, and being in Chicago and in a baseball mood, it made perfect sense to eat at Harry Caray's. Topping off the day of baseball wouldn't have occurred if it had not been for the enormous Harry Caray Chicago Dog. Nothing says baseball better!
Then I was lucky enough to get a photo with the baseball announcing legend.
Alright, it was just his head. He is dead, you know (R.I.P. Harry!) This place had so much sports memorabilia that I could have wandered around reading the walls for days. One thing I couldn't pass up was this autographed jersey from the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions. I definitely thought of you, DMcG!
By the time I was done wandering around reading newspaper clippings, baseball autographs, and all the other fantastic stuff in there, we were going to be cutting it close to make the opening pitch of the game. I wasn't too concerned with that, as that's not what makes a game exciting, and it wasn't going to hurt me or help the Royals (love ya KC) if we were a little late getting there.
The plan was to head back to the hotel and catch a cab to the ball park. A change of clothes was involved now as well, because what we thought was going to be a nice day had stayed a bit chilly and windy. I don't know if that was an excuse that was thought of beforehand to get me back to the hotel room, or if she came up with it on the fly. All I know is, when I opened the hotel room door and walked in, I nearly crapped myself. Being a few hours from home, and not having any reason to expect some sort of surprise, I was absolutely ridiculously surprised to see two people sitting in my room, just looking out the window like they belonged there.
There was JG and his girl S, just hanging out, waiting for a baseball game! They pulled off one of the greatest surprises I have ever experienced. I found out just after that there were a couple of opportunities for the surprise to get ruined, but I do a fine job of not paying attention to what's happening around me sometimes. Lucky for me, and them.
As we arrived at the ball field, I was still taking in the sights. This seemed like a typical ball park on the outside. We thought maybe there would be a mascot or two in sight, hoping rather, since N is such a fan(atic) of them. There weren't any that we might recognize, but for some reason, this thing was just hanging out as if it belonged. We dubbed it "the Chocolate Box."
The park and field are nice, but it certainly is not The K.
ME and my favorite lady making a memory...
and my "Royal Cabinet"...
I probably don't need to tell anyone the outcome. My Royals stayed true to their form for the second half of the season. The Sox fans were extremely cool. They gave us a it of a ribbing, especially since I was cheering so much for the last place team at an away game. At one point we cheered back and forth "Let's go ROYALS!" "Let's go White Sox!" Until I switched it up on them and yelled "Welcome to the basement!" They all seems to enjoy that one. You can't be a fan of a losing team and not accept that they will lose.
There were cool things to see and do after the game. I still wouldn't pose as a player for any other team, so ignore the extra hand over my shoulder...
There was a spectacular view of the city from this vantage point, since we were still up on the concourse.
Another friendly Sox fan stopped to help us with a photo.
I've ridden the "T" in Boston, so I had been on a subway/train before, but we had to experience "the L" since we needed to make our way back to downtown. N helped me honor the moment while we waited for the train.
We made it back downtown and wandered a bit before going to clean up and hit the town that night. I guess N had put up with enough of me and decided there was room for another body in the river.
Clearly, I survived that ordeal and was happy I lived to see another day. No matter how happy I am, cartwheels don't look right with these crazy-ass long legs.
In all, I had a spectacular time, and spent it with spectacular friends. And there are not any other pictures to share, because it is best that any further activities that took place are not discussed. Maybe someone danced in an open window for passersby, but that's just not pretty.
If you'd like to read N's account of my fabulous Royal weekend, you can do that
here.
Thanks again, N, for the fantastic weekend!
