It also happened to correspond to "Take Your Kids to Work Day." So Paige got up early and went to work with Dave, where she met an ice skating champion and had all the fun that a kid at an accounting office could have.
After putting in a full 1/2 day of work she and Dave hopped on a water taxi to meet Ashley and I at Navy Pier, where we had tickets to the Circque du Soleil Shanghai show. All I can say is that we were very lucky to make it before the show started. Ashley and I drove in from home and we were greeted by tons of people, full parking lots and a mad dash to find a random parking garage anywhere near the pier and then walk/run to the pier so we didn't miss the show. Crazy! There were lots of extra people in the area watching the practice runs for the upcoming Air and Water show. Who knew the practices would be so crowded?
Fortunately, we somehow made it and for only $35 parking (gotta love Chicago!) Dave and Paige were saving our seats.
The show was great-thrilling, visually stunning, and very entertaining. Full of mind-boggling acrobatics and crazy stunts it was a good time. The stage is an open-air pavillion and the weather was great. We also got to see and get buzzed by a few fighter jets flying overhead practicing for the Air and Water Show. It was an all-around stimulating exeperience!
After the show, we hung around Navy Pier and toured a US Coast Guard Boat. In honor of the of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 the US Coast Guard had a big exhibit set up on the pier. It included war memoriabilia as well as renactments and characters in costume and of course the opportunity to tour some modern day Coast Guard boats--and it was all for free!
We got right in line to board the USCGC Biscayne Bay, an icebreaking harbor tug, whose regular homeport is in St. Ignace, Michigan.
After our tour and ringing of the boat bell, we stopped for some history lessons on the naval aspect of the War of 1812 as well as some hands-on activities.
After all this we had worked up an appetite so we stopped for dinner at Harry Caray's. This was our first time eating here and honestly, nothing to write home about.
After a forgettable meal, we were sort of caught in limbo. If we left to go home we would be stuck in horrible traffic, but what could we do while waiting out rush hour? How convenient the walk back to our car happened to take us right by Ohio Street Beach. It had been years since, we had been to a Lake Michigan beach, so even though we didn't have swimsuits, it was too irresistable not to stop.
Overall, it was pretty spectacular day--can't think of a better way to say goodbye to Summer.
Incredible!!! All except the parking fee - that made me want to puke. Love the pictures.
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